Understanding Contact Lens Care
Contact lenses are a convenient and effective way to correct your vision, but they sit directly on the surface of your eye. This means that any contamination on or around your lenses can quickly lead to irritation, infection, or serious damage to the cornea. The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye, and it is essential for healthy vision. When bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms are introduced through dirty lenses or poor hygiene habits, the resulting infections can cause pain, scarring, and in severe cases, lasting vision loss.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2023 reports that contact lens-related eye infections lead to nearly one million doctor visits each year in the United States. Many of these visits are preventable with consistent and proper lens care habits. At Washington Eye Institute, your care team is committed to helping you understand the steps needed to keep your eyes healthy while enjoying the benefits of contact lenses.
Your cornea requires a steady supply of oxygen and moisture to remain clear and functional. Contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the cornea, especially when they are worn longer than recommended or when they are not properly cleaned. Over time, oxygen deprivation can lead to swelling, new blood vessel growth on the cornea, and increased vulnerability to infection.
By following a consistent care routine, you help ensure that your lenses remain clean, hydrated, and safe for your eyes. Proper care also extends the comfort and clarity of your lenses throughout the day, reducing dryness and irritation that can occur with neglected lens hygiene.
Who Should Be Especially Careful
If you are new to contact lenses, building strong care habits from the very beginning is essential. Your eye care provider at Washington Eye Institute will walk you through every step of your lens care routine during your fitting appointment. New wearers sometimes feel tempted to skip steps or take shortcuts, but establishing a thorough routine early on makes proper care feel natural over time.
People who have worn contact lenses for many years may gradually become less careful with their care routine. It is common for experienced wearers to develop habits like reusing old solution, extending the life of a lens case, or occasionally sleeping in lenses that are not designed for overnight wear. Your care team encourages all patients to periodically review their habits and make sure they are following current best practices.
If you are physically active, swim regularly, or spend time around water, you face additional risks when wearing contact lenses. Water from pools, lakes, oceans, hot tubs, and even showers can introduce harmful microorganisms to your lenses. One particularly dangerous organism found in water can cause a severe corneal infection that is difficult to treat. Your provider can help you explore options such as prescription swim goggles or daily disposable lenses paired with watertight swim goggles.
People who experience dry eyes or seasonal allergies may find that their contact lenses become uncomfortable or accumulate deposits more quickly. These conditions can make the eyes more susceptible to irritation and infection. If you deal with dryness or allergies, your eye care provider can recommend specific lens types, rewetting drops, or adjusted wearing schedules that help you stay comfortable and safe.
How Contact Lens Care Works
Every time you touch your contact lenses, your hands should be freshly washed with soap and water, then dried thoroughly with a lint-free towel. Your hands carry bacteria, oils, and debris that transfer easily to the lens surface. Even a small amount of contamination can cause discomfort or introduce infection-causing organisms to your eye.
- Wash your hands for at least twenty seconds with soap and water before touching your lenses
- Dry your hands completely with a clean, lint-free cloth or towel
- Avoid using moisturizing soaps or lotions before handling lenses, as residues can coat the lens surface
Even if your contact lens solution is labeled as 'no-rub,' your care team recommends using the rub and rinse method for the most effective cleaning. After removing each lens, place it in the palm of your hand and apply several drops of fresh multipurpose solution. Gently rub the lens back and forth with your index finger for several seconds. This physical action helps dislodge protein deposits, bacteria, and debris that soaking alone may not remove.
After rubbing, rinse the lens thoroughly with more fresh solution to wash away loosened particles. This two-step process significantly reduces the number of microorganisms on your lenses and helps maintain clear, comfortable vision.
How you store your lenses is just as important as how you clean them. Each time you place your lenses in their case, you should use fresh disinfecting solution. Reusing or 'topping off' old solution dilutes the disinfecting agents and creates an environment where bacteria and other organisms can thrive.
- Empty your lens case completely before adding fresh solution each time
- Fill the case with enough fresh solution to fully submerge each lens
- Replace your lens case at least every three months, or sooner if it appears damaged or dirty
- When your case is not in use, rinse it with fresh solution (not water), then leave it open and upside down to air dry
Tap water, distilled water, and any non-sterile liquid should not come into contact with your lenses or lens case. Water can harbor organisms that bond to the lens surface and resist standard disinfection. Wearing your lenses while swimming, in a hot tub, or in the shower increases your risk of a serious corneal infection.
If water does splash into your eyes while wearing lenses, remove the lenses as soon as possible and disinfect them thoroughly, or discard them if they are daily disposables. Talk with your eye care provider about protective eyewear options if you spend significant time in or around water.
Contact lenses are designed to be replaced on a specific schedule, whether that is daily, every two weeks, or monthly. As lenses age, protein and lipid deposits build up on the surface, making the lens less comfortable and more difficult to disinfect. Overwearing lenses beyond their intended schedule increases your risk of discomfort, reduced oxygen flow to the cornea, and infection.
- Follow the replacement schedule prescribed by your provider, even if your lenses still feel comfortable
- Mark your calendar or set a reminder so you do not lose track of when to open a fresh pair
- Dispose of lenses on schedule regardless of how many days you actually wore them during the cycle
What to Expect With Good Lens Care Habits
When you follow a consistent care routine, your lenses should feel comfortable throughout most of the day. You may notice clearer vision and less dryness compared to times when cleaning steps are skipped. If you experience persistent discomfort despite good care habits, your provider can evaluate your lens fit, material, and wearing schedule to find a better option for your eyes.
Even with excellent care, it is important to recognize the warning signs of a contact lens complication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, remove your lenses right away and contact Washington Eye Institute for guidance.
- Redness that does not improve after removing your lenses
- Eye pain or a feeling of something stuck in your eye
- Unusual discharge, tearing, or crustiness around the eye
- Blurred vision that does not clear after blinking or removing the lens
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Swelling of the eyelid or the area around the eye
If you believe you may have a contact lens-related infection, remove your lenses immediately and do not put them back in. Save the lenses and the case in a sealed bag, as your provider may want to culture them to identify the specific organism causing the infection. Contact your care team at Washington Eye Institute right away, as early treatment leads to better outcomes.
Do not attempt to treat a suspected infection on your own with over-the-counter eye drops. Some infections require specific prescription medications, and delays in proper treatment can lead to more serious complications.
Regular eye exams are an important part of safe contact lens wear. During these visits, your eye care provider checks the health of your cornea, evaluates your lens fit, and reviews your prescription. These appointments also give you an opportunity to discuss any changes in comfort or vision and to ask questions about your care routine. Your care team at our Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland, Maryland locations is here to support you at every visit.
Your Journey to Safe Contact Lens Wear
Building a safe contact lens care routine begins with your initial fitting and training appointment. Your care team will demonstrate proper insertion, removal, cleaning, and storage techniques. You will have the opportunity to practice each step under supervision until you feel confident. Many patients find it helpful to keep their lens care supplies in a consistent location so the routine becomes second nature.
Knowing the most frequent care mistakes can help you avoid them. Even small shortcuts can increase your risk of complications over time.
- Sleeping in lenses that are not specifically designed and prescribed for overnight wear
- Topping off old solution in the case instead of replacing it with fresh solution each time
- Using tap water or saliva to rinse or wet your lenses
- Wearing lenses past their recommended replacement date
- Skipping the rubbing step during cleaning
- Handling lenses with unwashed or wet hands
- Storing lenses in a case that has not been replaced in several months
Maintaining good habits over months and years requires a bit of intention. Keep your lens care supplies stocked so you are not tempted to reuse solution or extend the life of a case. If your routine starts to slip, schedule a follow-up visit with your provider at Washington Eye Institute. Your care team can offer a refresher on best practices and address any concerns that may be affecting your motivation to maintain proper care.
Safe contact lens wear is a partnership between you and your eye care provider. Your care team at Washington Eye Institute in Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland, Maryland is available to answer your questions, troubleshoot problems, and adjust your lens plan as your needs change. Do not hesitate to reach out between scheduled appointments if something does not feel right. Prompt communication helps protect your vision and keeps your lens-wearing experience positive.
Questions and Answers
Your lens case should be replaced at least every three months. Over time, cases develop scratches and buildup that harbor bacteria, even with regular rinsing. Your care team can provide a new case at your follow-up appointments, and cases are often included with new bottles of solution.
Unless your lenses have been specifically prescribed for extended or overnight wear, you should remove them before sleeping, including short naps. Closed eyelids significantly reduce oxygen flow to the cornea, and wearing standard lenses during sleep increases the risk of infection and irritation. If you frequently fall asleep in your lenses, talk with your provider about lens options that are designed for extended wear.
Swimming, showering, and using hot tubs while wearing contact lenses is not recommended. Water from any source can contain microorganisms that attach to the lens surface and are difficult to remove through standard disinfection. If you need vision correction while swimming, ask your eye care provider about prescription goggles or daily disposable lenses paired with watertight swim goggles.
If a lens becomes uncomfortable, try removing it and inspecting it for debris, tears, or damage. Rinse the lens with fresh solution before reinserting it. If discomfort continues, switch to your backup glasses for the rest of the day and contact your care team at Washington Eye Institute. Persistent discomfort can signal a fit issue, a lens defect, or an early complication that should be evaluated.
Tap water should not be used on your contact lenses under any circumstances. Even treated tap water contains microorganisms that can adhere to lens surfaces and resist contact lens disinfecting solutions. If you do not have solution available, it is safer to discard the lenses and use your backup glasses until you can obtain proper solution. Keeping a travel-sized bottle of solution with you can help prevent this situation.
Signs of a possible infection include redness, pain, unusual discharge, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and swelling in or around the eye. If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and contact Washington Eye Institute. Save the lenses and case for your provider to examine. Early evaluation and treatment are important for protecting your vision and achieving the best possible outcome.