The Do’s and Don’ts of Wearing Contact Lenses 

With over 3.9 million people in the UK wearing contact lenses, it’s important to remind individuals of the care and attention that they require. 

Contact lenses have many benefits; they not only correct your vision but also provide a wider field of view without the distortion that glasses can cause. Wearers also benefit from convenience and freedom, especially those who are active and find that glasses get in the way or are affected by weather conditions, like rain. 

Despite the benefits, contact lenses require diligent care and a strict hygiene routine to avoid eye infections, discomfort and potentially more serious complications. Whether you’re a first-time wearer or have been using contacts for years, there are some really simple do’s and don’ts to follow to ensure you have the correct lens hygiene. 

Do’s 

Always wash your hands before handling lenses

Proper hand sanitation is extremely important when it comes to wearing contact lenses. You must wash your hands thoroughly every time you put them in or take them out. This prevents the harmful transfer of germs and dirt to the eyes, reducing the chances of an eye infection. 

Clean and store your lenses correctly

Your optician should demonstrate how to correctly clean your lenses. This tends to be done after use, by placing your lenses in a clean palm and adding a few drops of solution and massaging them for roughly 30 seconds. 

Store them in the correct case and make sure you wash this out with lens solution regularly too. Replace your lenses and case as and when your optician recommends – this will likely depend on whether you wear daily, weekly or monthly lenses. 

Attend regular eye check-ups 

Whether you order your contact lenses online or instore from an optician,  regular eye check-ups are essential. Opticians can check the fit and prescription of your contact lenses. They can also examine your eye health to make sure there are no signs of irritation or other problems. 

Don’ts

Avoid sleeping in your contact lenses 

Lenses stop oxygen and moisture from passing through to the eye. So, when you sleep in your contacts, it can cause dryness, redness, itchiness and corneal ulcers. In more serious cases and if sleeping in them becomes a habit, then you may experience conjunctivitis, keratitis and blurry vision. 

Therefore, it’s very important to always take them out before falling asleep. 

Don’t swim or shower in contact lenses

Whether it’s showering or swimming, you should always take your lenses out. This is because when your contacts get wet, they trap germs and bacteria against your eye, increasing your risk of potential infection and irritation. 

Whilst it may be tempting to quickly shower with them in, it’s best to take them out. 

Don’t use saliva or water to wet your lenses

Saliva and water are not sterile solutions and may contain bacteria that can cause harmful eye infections. Therefore, you must never use either of these to moisten or clean your lens. 

If you don’t have access to contact lens solution, eye drops or a saline solution are the best substitutes.

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