How to Take Care of Your Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a great option for clear vision without glasses, but they need to be used carefully. Contact lenses are medical devices, and wearing them the wrong way can cause serious problems for your eyes. Always follow your eye doctor’s instructions to keep your vision clear and your eyes healthy.

Here are some important things to know about taking care of your contact lenses:

1. Don’t Sleep in Your Lenses (Unless Your Doctor Says It’s OK)

Sleeping in contact lenses can increase your risk of eye infections, even if they feel comfortable. Some lenses are approved for overnight wear, but only your eye doctor can tell you if that’s safe for your eyes. Never sleep in your contacts unless your doctor has said it’s okay.
 

2. Follow the Replacement Schedule

Contact lenses are made to be worn for a certain amount of time—one day, two weeks, or a month. After that, they start to break down and can hurt your eyes. If you are tempted to stretch your contact lenses beyond the proper wearing time, compare the cost of a new pair of lenses with the cost of getting an eye infection. An infection is painful and you can’t wear your contacts while the infection is active. Also consider that you have to take time off work to visit your eye doctor, pay for a medical exam, and purchase antibiotic drops. Saving a few cents by stretching out your lenses suddenly seems like a poor trade off! 
 

3. Clean Your Lenses the Right Way

If you wear biweekly or monthly lenses, it’s important to clean them every day:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your lenses.

• After removing your lenses, rub and rinse them with fresh contact lens solution

• Store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution. Never reuse old solution.

• Replace your lens case every 1–3 months to avoid bacteria build-up.
   

Never use tap water to clean or store your lenses. Tap water has bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections.
 

4. Know the Signs of Trouble

If you notice redness, pain, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light, take out your lenses right away. These may be signs of an eye infection or other problem. Call our office immediately. Don’t try to fix it on your own or just wait for it to go away.
 

5. Never Buy Contact Lenses Without a Prescription

You might see cosmetic or colored lenses for sale at gas stations, beauty shops, or online. These may look fun, but they are very dangerous. Lenses sold without a prescription may not fit your eyes properly and could cause scratches or infections. They may not allow sufficient to reach the cornea through the lens. This can cause permanent damage to your eyes. 

All contact lenses—even cosmetic ones—require a proper fitting and prescription from an eye doctor. Your doctor will check that the lenses are safe for your eyes and show you how to care for them the right way.
 

Final Thoughts

Wearing contact lenses is a big responsibility. Remember:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions

• Keep your lenses clean

• Don’t wear them longer than recommended

• Never share or buy lenses without a prescription
   

If you ever have questions or problems with your lenses, call us! Your eyes are too important to risk. At Small Wonder Eyecare, our mission is to help you see clearly and keep your eyes healthy for life.

Need help with your contacts or want to schedule an exam? Call us today or book online—we’re happy to help!