Wearing contact lenses is incredibly convenient, offering freedom from glasses and clearer vision. However, proper care is essential to maintain not only the lifespan of your lenses but also the health of your eyes. Even if you wear daily disposable lenses, improper lens care can lead to discomfort, infections, or even long-term eye damage.
Here’s a simple guide to the do's and don'ts of contact lens care, perfect for anyone who wears or plans to wear contacts. These tips will help keep your lenses—and your eyes—in top condition.
The Do’s of Contact Lens Care
1. Do Wash Your Hands Before Handling Lenses
Before touching your contact lenses, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This simple step prevents harmful bacteria, dirt, and oils from transferring to your lenses. Although it seems basic, many people skip or partially skip it. Remember, using only water without soap is not effective in cleaning your hands properly.
2. Do Clean and Disinfect Your Lenses Daily
Proper cleaning is essential to remove debris and bacteria that accumulate on your lenses. Use an effective lens cleaner like ReO2 Contact Lens Cleaner for deep cleaning. It cleans your lenses in as little as 10 minutes, ensuring they remain clear and free from protein deposits that can cause discomfort or hazy vision. Plus, ReO2 eliminates the need for complicated hand-rubbing of dirty lenses.
3. Do Follow the Contact Lens Replacement Schedule
Stick to the wearing and replacement schedule provided by your eye care professional. Overwearing your lenses, even by a day or two, increases the risk of infections and reduces comfort. If your lenses are damaged, dispose of them, even if they haven’t reached their expiration date.
4. Do Use Fresh Solution Every Time
When storing your lenses, always use fresh disinfecting solution. Replace the solution daily, even on days you don’t wear your contacts. Remember, your eye health is priceless compared to the cost of a bottle of solution.
5. Do Replace Your Lens Case Regularly
Replace your contact lens case every three months, as it can become a breeding ground for germs if not cleaned properly. Frequently clean the case with fresh solution and air-dry it to maintain hygiene.
The Don’ts of Contact Lens Care
1. Don’t Sleep in Your Contact Lenses
Unless your lenses are specifically designed for overnight wear, sleeping with them can block oxygen flow to your corneas, leading to infections or even serious eye damage. Always remove your lenses before going to bed.
2. Don’t Use Water to Clean Your Lenses
Water—whether from the tap or bottled—can contain microorganisms harmful to your eyes. Never use water to rinse or store your contact lenses. Saline solution can rinse your lenses but won't clean them thoroughly. ReO2 Contact Lens Cleaner deep cleans your contacts using a pure 0.9% saline solution, providing a safe alternative.
3. Don’t Share Your Lenses with Others
Contact lenses are personal medical devices, and sharing them can transfer bacteria or viruses between users, leading to infections. Keep your lenses to yourself.
4. Don’t Ignore Discomfort or Redness
If you experience eye irritation, redness, or blurred vision while wearing your contacts, remove them immediately and consult an eye care professional. Discomfort could be a sign of infection, allergies, or poorly cleaned lenses.
Find the Right Solution for Your Contact Lens Care
For optimal eye health and lens clarity, choosing the right cleaning solution is essential. ReO2 Contact Lens Cleaner is designed to thoroughly clean and disinfect your lenses while preventing the buildup of protein deposits. Its advanced technology eliminates 99.999% of bacteria, restores 94% of oxygen permeability, and refreshes your lenses like new every day.
Taking proper care of your contact lenses not only extends their lifespan but also protects your eyes from potential harm. By following these simple do's and don'ts and using trusted products like ReO2 Contact Lens Cleaner, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision every day. Your eyes are worth the extra care—don’t cut corners when it comes to lens hygiene!