Contact Lens Care Basics

Although contact lenses are generally very safe, there is always a concern of infection since some eye infections could potentially be very serious. To minimize the chance of infection, there are some very simple guidelines that should be followed. The following are the basics of good contact lens care.

The Dos and Don'ts List

The Chemistry of Contact Lenses

The Dos and Don'ts List

Replace your contact lenses, using your doctor's prescribed schedule.
Do not share your contact lenses with another person.
Do not sleep in your contact lenses if your doctor has not prescribed continuous wear lenses.
Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses.
Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your doctor. If recommended, rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient disinfecting solution to completely cover the lens.
Store lenses in the proper lens storage and replace the case every three months (monthly is actually much better). Clean the case after each use and keep it open and dry between cleanings.
Use only products recommended by your doctor to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
Contact lens solution should be discarded upon opening the case, and fresh solution should be used each time the lens is placed in the case.
See your doctor regularly for a contact lens evaluation.
If you experience RSVP (redness, secretions, visual blurring or pain), return to your doctor immediately.

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The dos and don'ts

The Dos and Don'ts List

The Chemistry of Contact Lenses

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