Wearing contacts is a convenient way to correct your vision. The American Optometric Association advises contact lens wearers to maintain their commitment to caring for their contacts. Following your eye doctor’s instructions can make your treatment plan effective. Below are some of the do’s and don’ts that you should consider for your contact care.

Do: Keep the Lens Case Clean

Lens cases can become full of contaminants if you do not maintain good hygiene in caring for your contact lenses. Studies show that those who did not clean, sanitize, and dry their lens cases or wash their hands well before handling contacts end up with contaminated cases. Make sure to use your fingers inside your lens cases to clean them. Then, rinse it with a fresh lens solution. Dry the case with clean, dry tissue and invert it when you store it on top of a sheet of tissue. It will be ready for your contact lenses when you remove them at night. Replacing the lens case every one to three months is ideal.

Do: Replace Lenses on Time

Replacing your contact lenses should only be done according to your eye doctor’s instructions. You should throw away disposable contacts every day, week, or month. If you are wearing gas-permeable contacts, you should replace them every year. Exceeding the wearing period for the contact you have can lead to discomfort or, worse, infection.

Do: Maintain Clean Hands

Your hands contain many contaminants that can stick to your lenses. Always keep your hands clean before you clean or handle your contacts. Wash them well first with warm soap and water. Disinfect your hands and dry them with a clean cloth. Proper handwashing and sanitizing can prevent contact lens contamination.

Do: Follow the Instructions

Wearing your contacts while sleeping can increase your risk of developing eye infections. Eye doctors approve some contacts for wearing while sleeping. But you must have regular eye checkups and practice proper contact care hygiene.

Don’t: Shower While Wearing Contacts

Remove your contact lenses before you shower, swim, or use the bathtub. Bath or pool water has many microorganisms that can cause eye infections. It is always better to keep your contacts clean in their case before you wear them again.

Don’t: Reuse the Contact Lens Solution

Your lens solution should always be fresh. This ensures your lenses stay free of contaminants each time you wear them. Topping off your lens solution will just keep the contaminants in the case and encourage more of them to stick to your lenses. You may even contract a painful eye infection. So, make sure you dispose of your used lens solution and replace it with a fresh solution.

Don’t: Buy Contact Lenses Without an Eye Doctor’s Prescription

Many people buy cosmetic contact lenses without an eye doctor’s prescription because they think it has no power to affect their vision. Research shows that every eye surface has a unique set of traits. That is why it is important for your eye doctor to check the contacts first before you use them.

Practicing proper contact care can help prevent eye infections and discomfort. At Albright Eyecare, we encourage our patients to take extra care of their prescription eyewear and have regular eye checkups as well.

Please visit our clinic in New Braunfels, Texas, for an in-person consultation. Call us at 830-271-4900 to schedule an appointment or ask questions about our contact lens packages.