Soft Contact Lenses: Care Instructions

Overview

It's important to take good care of your contact lenses. If you clean them every day, you can prevent sore or infected eyes. This is because cleaning removes harmful chemicals and bacteria.

There are three types of soft contact lenses.

• Daily disposable lenses are made to be worn for one day, then thrown away. You use fresh lenses each day, so you don't need to clean them.
• Other types of disposable lenses are made to be reused. You remove and clean them each day. Depending on the type of lenses, you replace them every 1 to 2 weeks, every month, or every 3 months.
• Extended-wear lenses are approved for longer wearing, even while you sleep. Some can be worn for up to 1 month. But your doctor may tell you to take them out and clean them every day. If you don't clean them every day, you may have a higher risk for eye problems, such as infections.

If you wear contacts, it's a good idea to also have a pair of glasses. You can wear the glasses if your contacts are irritating your eyes.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Wash your hands before you take out or put in your contacts.
• Clean your lens case every day. Let it dry completely.
• Wear your lenses only as long as directed. Your doctor may give you special instructions.
• Take out your lenses before sleeping. This helps prevent serious eye problems.
• Follow the cleaning directions for your lenses.
• You may use the same solution to clean and store your lenses. Or you may use a separate cleaning product and then rinse your lenses with saline solution. You can buy these products over the counter at most drugstores. Do not make your own saline. It can carry bacteria. If your doctor recommends a solution, use that brand.
• Always throw away leftover solution. Do not reuse solution.
• Put in your contacts before you put on eye makeup. Get new eye makeup every 3 to 6 months. This will help prevent infections.
• Visit your eye doctor once a year. The doctor can check your lenses and your eyes.
• Use a sterile saline solution or rewetting drops if your contacts become dry and irritate your eyes.
• Unless you wear daily disposable lenses, it's a good idea to carry an extra contact storage case and storage solution with you. Then you will be ready if you need to take out your contacts at any time.
• Do not wear contacts when you swim, shower, or use a hot tub. This will help prevent infections.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have signs of an eye infection, such as:
  • Pus or thick discharge coming from the eye.
  • Redness or swelling around the eye.
  • A fever.
• You have new or worse eye pain.
• You have vision changes.
• It feels like there is something in your eye.
• Light hurts your eye.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.