If you’re one of the 140 million plus contact lens users worldwide, you know the benefits and convenience it can provide those with poor eyes.

Imagine eating hot soup without your glasses fogging up. Or having to replace your glasses because they fell during one of your excursions. While there are more people who wear glasses than those who use contact lenses, it’s clear why some prefer lenses over specs. However, it’s important to keep in mind that poor hygiene and bad habits when using contact lenses can lead to eye irritation or worse, infection.

These simple tips can help you enjoy the benefits of using contact lenses while avoiding the possibility of irritation or damage.

Contact Lens Dos and Don’ts

Do Keep Your Hands Clean

This is perhaps the most basic rule for handling contact lenses: Whether you’re putting on contact lenses or taking them out, make sure your hands are clean. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and rinse well with water. You wouldn’t want soapy fingers to come into contact with your eyes!

Additionally, you must dry your hands, ensuring that no lint or dirt will stick. Be extra thorough with washing your hands if you’ve handled any products that could cause eye irritation, such as perfume, food, or skincare products.

Do Replace Contacts In a Timely Manner

Not all contact lenses can be reused for a long time.

You’ll be able to find disposable contact lenses that are intended to be used daily, weekly, or monthly. There are also longer-wearing ones on the market. Whichever type you choose, make sure you only use them during the recommended period.

Using expired contact lenses can cause discomfort, so it’s best to follow the duration listed in the packaging.

Do Store Your Lenses Properly

When you’re not using your contact lenses, you can store them securely in a lens case.

If you have varying eye grades for each eye, use cases with easy markings to know which is which. This way, you won’t have to guess if you’re matching the right contact lens to the correct eye. Additionally, proper lens storage means your case must also be clean.

Don’t allow your lenses to sit in a clean solution but inside a dirty case. At least weekly, wash your lens case with mild soapy water, rinse, and dry with a lint-free towel or tissue, leaving no lint or any small debris.

Don’t forget to keep your eyes properly lubricated during the times when your lenses are not in use. It’s important to get enough sleep and use eye drops for eye care to prevent your eyes from drying out.

Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes is a big no-no with or without contact lenses. It can be tempting to scratch or rub if you feel like you’ve got something stuck in your eye or if your contact lenses feel too dry. However, doing so can cause irritation from the possible transfer of bacteria, germs, or small foreign particles.

In some cases, vigorously rubbing your eyes with contact lenses can cause damage to the cornea. If you don’t want permanent damage to your eyes, make sure to fight the urge to rub them. Instead, wash your hands thoroughly first and then clean your contacts with a lens solution before putting them back in.

If you still feel any discomfort, then you may want to replace your contact lenses and consult with your eye doctor.

Don’t Use Contacts Without A Prescription

Make sure you have regular eye exams to know your eye grade and what type of contact lenses you need.

Consulting with a professional first makes sure your contact lenses are the proper fit for you. Eye grades can change over time, so regular eye exams are essential for consistently getting the right grade you need.

Don’t Clean Your Lenses in Tap Water

No matter how clear or harmless water looks, it just is not the right cleaning agent for your contact lenses. Eye redness and serious eye infections can be avoided by simply using the right product for your contact lenses.

There are different contact lens solutions on the market. You can also find solutions that have specific uses, such as rinsing, disinfecting, or storing your contact lenses. But there are also multipurpose ones that can do all three. Depending on your budget, preferred ingredients, and sensitivity, you’re sure to find the right solution for you. Conveniently, retail establishments or online stores that sell contact lenses also stock a variety of lens solutions that you can purchase. Most of them even come with free lens cases!

Contact lenses offer great comfort and convenience to those with poor eyesight.

You’re able to do things more freely with contact lenses than with eyeglasses, especially when it’s something physical like contact sports or even rock climbing. Additionally, your line of sight isn’t as impeded when wearing contact lenses as compared to wearing eyeglasses.

However, it can lead to irritation and even serious eye damage when you don’t remember the basic contact lens dos and don’ts.