Good Habits for Contact Lenses

If you are new to wearing contact lenses, you may be unsure how to care for the lenses or how to protect your eyes. The eyes are extremely sensitive. You are putting a foreign object into the eye on a daily basis, so you want to stay abreast of all information that will keep your eyes healthy while wearing contacts.

• Never share contacts.
• Remove contacts when showering.
• Follow doctor’s instructions for contacts.

Remember to never share contacts with anyone. For prescription contact lenses, this is not usually a problem. Special effects and vanity contact lenses are often shared among friends for costumes or other special events. This is extremely unsanitary and can pass germs and eye diseases easily.

Remove your contacts when showering. The heat of the shower can create bacteria between the eye and the contact lens. It’s the same when you are in any hot, steamy area such as a hot tub. You should remove contacts in both instances to prevent infection in the eyes. If you want to continue wearing your contacts in the shower, make sure you are taking a lukewarm shower or make it a quick shower so you aren’t standing around in a steamy area for a prolonged period of time.

Follow your doctor’s instructions for contacts. Remove your contacts each evening and cleanse and store properly in a cool, dry place. Change your contacts out as recommended or opt for daily use contacts that are disposable. Sanitary contact use is your best defense against eye infections.