Contact lenses offer a convenient and effective method for vision correction, resting directly on the sensitive surface of the cornea. A rigorous and consistent hygiene routine is necessary to prevent the introduction of pathogens. Meticulous cleaning and proper storage are fundamental actions that directly reduce the risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis, which can threaten vision health. Failing to maintain a clean lens surface and storage environment allows microscopic deposits and microorganisms to accumulate and multiply. A systematic approach to lens care is required every time lenses are removed to maintain eye health and clear vision.
Essential Preparation Steps
Handling contact lenses must always begin with thorough hand hygiene to prevent the transfer of oils, debris, and microbes onto the lens surface. Hands should be washed with a mild, non-moisturizing soap and water for at least twenty seconds, ensuring all surfaces, including between the fingers and under the nails, are addressed. Moisturizers can leave a residue that adheres to the lens material, causing irritation and attracting deposits. Hands must be dried completely using a lint-free towel or cloth to avoid introducing microscopic fibers or waterborne contaminants.
A clean, dry, and well-lit workspace should be prepared before lens handling. Necessary materials, including fresh, unexpired contact lens solution, should be readily accessible. Only sterile, commercially prepared solution should be used, and the bottle tip should never touch any surface to maintain sterility. Always starting with the same lens (right or left) helps prevent accidental swapping, especially if prescriptions differ.
Step-by-Step Lens Cleaning Technique
Once preparatory steps are complete, physically clean the lens using the “rub and rinse” technique, widely recommended by eye care professionals. Remove the first lens and place it gently into the palm, which acts as a clean, soft working surface. Apply several drops of fresh multi-purpose or disinfecting solution directly onto the lens.
Gently rub the lens back and forth across the palm with the pad of the opposite index or ring finger. This manual agitation should last for approximately twenty seconds and physically dislodges protein, lipid, and debris deposits. Even with “no-rub” solutions, this manual step is highly beneficial because it effectively disrupts the formation of biofilm that soaking alone may not penetrate.
After rubbing, the lens must be rinsed thoroughly to wash away loosened contaminants and the used cleaning solution. Hold the lens in the palm and flush it with a steady stream of fresh disinfecting solution for five to ten seconds, ensuring the entire surface is covered. This rinsing action prepares the lens for disinfection by removing particles that could reduce the efficacy of the soaking solution. The clean lens is then placed into a clean lens case filled with fresh solution for the recommended disinfection time.
Proper Storage and Case Maintenance
The contact lens case is an often-overlooked source of contamination and requires careful maintenance. After removing the lenses, the old solution must be completely emptied and discarded immediately. Reusing solution reduces its disinfectant potency and allows surviving microorganisms to multiply, increasing the risk of infection.
The empty case should be rinsed with fresh, sterile contact lens solution, never tap water. After rinsing, wipe the case dry with a clean tissue to remove remaining debris and reduce moisture that fosters microbial growth. To promote complete drying, leave the case open and placed upside-down on a clean surface to air dry between uses.
Replacing the contact lens case on a regular schedule is equally important because a microbial film builds up inside the plastic over time that is difficult to eliminate entirely. Eye care guidelines recommend replacing the case at least every three months. Many solution manufacturers provide a new case with each large bottle of solution, which serves as a helpful reminder to adhere to this replacement cycle.
Critical Contact Lens Safety Mistakes
Several common practices pose a significant threat to eye health and must be strictly avoided. A major prohibition is the use of any form of water—including tap, distilled, or bottled—for rinsing or storing lenses or cases. Water contains microorganisms, such as the sight-threatening parasite Acanthamoeba, which can bind to the lens surface and cause severe corneal infection.
Another dangerous habit is “topping off,” which involves adding fresh solution to the stale, used solution already in the case. This practice dilutes the disinfectant concentration and compromises the solution’s ability to kill microbes, creating an environment where bacteria can flourish. The lens must always be stored in a completely fresh volume of solution every time it is removed.
It is imperative never to use saliva to wet or clean a lens, as the human mouth harbors a high concentration of bacteria not meant for the eye. Unless specifically prescribed for extended wear, lenses should never be worn while sleeping or napping. Closing the eyes for an extended period significantly reduces the oxygen supply to the cornea, trapping debris and making the eye more susceptible to infection.