Easy 5 Step Contact Lens Care Routine
Taking good care of your contact lenses is the single best way to prevent eye infections and to ensure comfortable and clear vision through your contact lenses.
To simplify your cleaning routine, we’ve broken down how to care for your contacts into 5 easy steps:
Step 1 – Wash your hands.
Whether you’re putting in your contacts or taking them out, first wash your hands and dry them with a lint-free towel. Be sure to use a mild soap with no lotion, perfume, or oil, as these can leave a film on your hands and transfer to your contact lenses.
At Eyes for Life, we recommend and sell Leader Optical Hand Soap, specifically formulated for contact lens users.
Step 2 – Clean your contacts.
It’s important to clean your contacts using a digital rub (with a finger that is!) technique before storing them overnight in a disinfecting solution.
To perform this simple cleaning technique, put a contact in the palm of your hand and add a few drops of a preservative-free saline solution like PuriLens or a few drops of your disinfecting solution. Then, gently rub the contact using your pinky finger making sure to avoid touching the contact with your fingernails.
Why clean your lenses this way in addition to using a disinfectant? Think of it like washing dishes. Hot water and soap alone can dissolve some grease and food, but it helps to scrub dishes with a sponge or brush as well. Disinfectant removes bacteria and some protein buildup from your lenses, but using a digital rub technique first will be more effective at breaking down protein and lipid deposits that can irritate your eyes.
Remember: Always recap your contact lens solutions in between use to avoid bacteria entering the bottle.
Step 3 – Disinfect your contacts.
It is very important to always use the disinfectant recommended by your eye care professional. Most optometrists suggest using a peroxide-based disinfectant such as ClearCare. Disinfecting solutions are stronger and more effective than multi-purpose solutions. Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid getting any of the solution in your eyes!
If your lenses have been stored in a case for longer than seven days, you’ll want to disinfect them again.
Step 4 – Put in your contacts.
Before putting your contacts in, rinse them with your preservative-free saline solution. This step can be especially helpful for new contact wearers or anyone who experiences discomfort from disinfectant left behind on the lenses.
After putting your contacts in, empty the disinfecting solution from the case, rinse it with hot water and let it air dry, face down, on a clean paper towel.
Doctor’s Tip: If you use hairspray, apply it before putting in your contacts. And if you wear makeup, wait until after you’ve put in your contacts to avoid getting it on your lenses.
Step 5 – Replace contacts and your case.
Wear and replace your contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care provider. This schedule starts from the time you open your sealed contact lenses and is not the number of days you wear them.
If you’re not a regular contact wearer, consider getting daily disposable lenses. Overwearing your contact lenses can cause serious and expensive health issues!
Make sure to replace your contact case every three months. Most disinfectants come with a new case, which will remind you to replace yours.
Reminder: Always have a back-up pair of eyeglasses in case you cannot wear your contact lenses (allergies, eye infections, running out of contacts, etc.).
Follow these 5 easy steps for safe and healthy contact lens wear!
Psst! If you don’t want to worry about a specific cleaning regimen, consider switching to a daily replacement contact lens!
Soaps and solutions listed are conveniently available for purchase at Eyes For Life in Spokane, WA. Contact us if you have any questions, or stop by our office or give us a call us at (509) 448-7300.
We look forward to serving you soon!