Contact lenses are medical devices worn directly on the eye to correct vision, offering a safe and convenient alternative to glasses. Every lens has a specific prescribed lifespan—daily, bi-weekly, or monthly. Diligent daily care is the single most important factor in preventing the buildup of deposits and microorganisms that degrade the lens material. Establishing a meticulous routine protects the lens integrity, ensuring the device functions safely for its full duration.
Proper Daily Cleaning and Handling
The physical interaction with the lens during insertion and removal is a primary point of potential contamination. Before touching the lenses or any care products, always wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Avoid moisturizing or scented soaps, as the oils and lotions can transfer to the lens surface, causing blurring or irritation. Dry your hands completely with a clean, lint-free towel to prevent the transfer of tap water or fibers onto the lens material.
The most effective cleaning step is the “rub and rinse” method, which should be performed every time you remove your lenses, even when using “no-rub” solutions. Place the lens in your palm, apply a few drops of fresh solution, and gently rub the surface with your fingertip for about ten seconds. This mechanical action is necessary to dislodge protein, lipid deposits, and biofilms that adhere to the lens from your tear film.
Rinse the lens thoroughly with a steady stream of fresh disinfecting solution before placing it in the case. Never use saliva, tap water, or saline solution, as these liquids lack the necessary disinfectants to kill harmful microbes. When handling the lens, use the soft pads of your fingertips and keep your fingernails trimmed to avoid tearing the lens material or scratching the cornea.
Maintaining a Sterile Storage Environment
The contact lens case and the disinfecting solution are crucial for maintaining a sterile environment. Never attempt to “top off” the solution in your lens case by mixing fresh solution with the old, used solution. The disinfecting agents in the old solution are spent and diluted, and mixing them reduces the efficacy of the new disinfectant, increasing the risk of microbial growth.
Always empty the case completely, rinse it with fresh contact lens solution—never tap water—and allow it to air-dry upside down with the caps off. This minimizes the humid environment where bacteria and fungi thrive. Replace your lens case every one to three months, as the plastic develops microscopic scratches that can harbor pathogens and form biofilm.
Ensure you use the solution type prescribed by your eye care professional, such as a multi-purpose solution or a hydrogen peroxide system. If using a hydrogen peroxide system, you must only use the specialized case provided, which contains a neutralizer disc. Always check the solution bottle for its expiration or discard date, and stop using the solution after the recommended time frame, typically three months.
Preventing Lens Degradation Through Smart Habits
Overwearing lenses significantly accelerates material degradation and compromises eye health. When lenses are worn longer than the maximum recommended daily hours (typically 12 to 14 hours), the cornea becomes oxygen-deprived, a condition known as hypoxia. Since the lens blocks the cornea from getting oxygen directly from the air, this can lead to complications like corneal edema (swelling) or, in chronic cases, neovascularization, where blood vessels grow into the cornea.
Pushing a lens past its prescribed replacement schedule allows proteins and lipids from the tear film to denature and harden on the lens surface. This hardened buildup creates a rough surface that causes discomfort, reduces visual clarity, and can trigger an inflammatory response in the eyelid, known as Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis. The lens material becomes a permanent host for contaminants that cannot be fully removed, forcing premature disposal.
Water exposure must be strictly avoided, as tap water, pool water, and shower water can contain Acanthamoeba. This amoeba can adhere to the lens and cause Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but vision-threatening corneal infection. Never sleep in your lenses unless they are approved by your doctor for extended overnight wear, as this practice severely reduces oxygen flow and increases infection risk.
When incorporating contact lenses into a cosmetic routine, always insert your lenses before applying any makeup. This prevents makeup particles, such as loose powder or eyeshadow dust, from getting trapped underneath the lens, which causes irritation and deposit buildup. Conversely, remove your lenses before taking off your makeup to ensure removers, oils, and cosmetic residue do not contaminate the lens material or eye surface.