Monthly contact lenses are medical devices designed for repeated use over a 30-day period, requiring daily maintenance to remain safe for wear. Unlike daily disposable lenses, which are thrown away after a single use, monthly lenses accumulate debris and microorganisms over time. Daily care is fundamental to preventing serious eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, and maintaining clear vision. Properly caring for these lenses ensures the integrity of the lens material and preserves the long-term health of the cornea.
The Daily Cleaning Procedure
The most effective method for cleaning monthly lenses is the “rub and rinse” technique, which physically dislodges deposits that soaking alone cannot remove. Begin by placing the removed lens in the clean palm of your hand, forming a small pool of disinfecting solution. You must use a fresh disinfecting solution, as solutions lose their sanitizing power after a single use and should never be reused or “topped off”.
Gently rub the lens with the pad of your index finger for about 10 to 15 seconds, moving in a circular motion to cover the entire surface. This physical action is crucial for scrubbing away protein, lipid, and calcium deposits that build up during wear. Even if your solution is labeled “no-rub,” eye care professionals still recommend this step for enhanced cleanliness and infection prevention.
After rubbing, thoroughly rinse the lens with a steady stream of the same fresh solution to wash away the loosened debris and cleaning residue. The lens is then ready to be placed into the storage case, which must be filled with new, unused solution to fully immerse the lens for the required disinfection time. This process must be repeated for the second lens, ensuring each lens is handled separately to prevent mix-ups and contamination.
Essential Hygiene and Handling Fundamentals
The cleaning process starts well before the lens touches the solution, demanding strict attention to personal hygiene to avoid introducing contaminants. Always wash your hands thoroughly with a mild, non-cosmetic soap and water before touching your lenses, and then dry them completely with a lint-free towel. Oil- or lotion-based soaps should be avoided, as residue can transfer to the lens and cause clouding or irritation.
Never rinse, store, or wet your contact lenses with tap water, saliva, or any homemade solution, as these sources are not sterile. Tap water, even filtered water, can contain microorganisms like Acanthamoeba, which can lead to a severe eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Saliva is equally dangerous because it is packed with bacteria that can contaminate the lens.
Furthermore, monthly lenses are not designed for continuous wear and must be removed before certain activities involving water or sleep. Never wear monthly lenses while sleeping, showering, swimming, or using a hot tub, as water exposure can cause the lens to change shape and makes the eye vulnerable to pathogens. When applying cosmetics, insert your contact lenses before applying makeup and remove them before taking off any makeup to prevent particles from adhering to the lens.
Storage and Replacement Schedule
Properly maintaining the lens storage case is just as important as cleaning the lenses themselves because the case can become a reservoir for bacteria and biofilm. Once the lenses are removed and inserted into your eyes in the morning, empty the old solution from the case completely. Rinse the empty case with fresh contact lens solution—never water—and allow it to air dry face down with the caps off until the next use.
To combat buildup, the contact lens case should be replaced at least every three months. Even with daily cleaning, the plastic material degrades and harbors microorganisms over time, increasing the risk of infection. Replacing the case regularly ensures the lenses are soaking in a sanitary environment.
Monthly lenses have a strict replacement timeline of 30 days from the date the blister pack is opened, regardless of how many times they were worn. Overwearing increases the risk of complications like corneal hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) because the lens material becomes less permeable over time. A lack of oxygen can lead to the growth of new blood vessels into the cornea (neovascularization) and damage to the eye’s protective layer.
Overwearing also allows protein and lipid deposits to accumulate on the lens surface, causing irritation and increasing susceptibility to infection. Adhering to the 30-day schedule is necessary to maintain the material’s oxygen transmission and cleanliness.