How to take care of Contact Lenses Everyday? | Do's and Don'ts

What you should do...
• Thoroughly wash your hands with Lanolin free soap (may be Baby Soap) to remove any traces of hand cream, dust, fluff or dirt on your fingers, as these could end up under the lens and cause discomfort. To avoid tiny fibers (lint) getting on to lens surface, dry your hands with lint free towel/cloth before insertion and removal of contact lenses.

• Keep your fingernails short and clean.

• Spread cloth/sheet while insertion or removal of Contact lens/es so that they should not lost over the floor.

• Always insert and remove the same lens first, so that you do not confuse the right and left lenses.

• Rinse your lenses before insertion and after removal with solution recommended by practitioner.

• Rinse your Lens/es in your palm with other hand's index finger after making an angle of 30-45 degrees in '+' sign or clock and anti-clockwise with 8-10 gentle stroke with recommended solution - twice to be done. You can turn inside out only in soft contact lenses but can’t do in RGP (hard) contact lenses.

• Check that lens/es are not turned inside out before insertion (for soft contact lenses). Now lens/es are ready to use.

• After insertion and before removal of the lens/es - cover one eye and check the vision with opposite eye and vice versa, by which eye injury can be avoided.

• Rinse the lens case weekly once with hot water, toothbrush and Lanolin free soap (Baby soap) when the lens/es are in the eye/s.

• Lenses should always be stored in their case in a fresh recommended solution regularly even they are not being used daily.

• Solution disinfects your lenses and protects them from microbial contamination, reducing the risk of infection.

• The soaking solution also has a wetting and conditioning effect, which makes a coat over the lens with a film of moisture providing a cushion effect between the lens and cornea, and between the lens and eyelids.

• Rigid gas permeable contact lenses should be maintained permanently wet state for maximum comfort - if they are not in use.

• Discard the remaining solution after 60-90 days of opening.

• Use solution before the expiry date marked on the bottle label or carton.

• Replace the bottle cap after every use to avoid contamination and evaporation.

• Apply only oil free make-up after insertion of contact lens/es and remove the make-up after removal of contact lens/es.

• Carry your lens case and solution wherever you go.

• If you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, change in vision or redness of the eye, remove your contact lens immediately and consult your eye care practitioner.

• Replace lenses if they become damaged or scratched.

What you should not do?

• Do not use oily soap/liquids to rinse your hands, traces of it’s may remain in your palm and cause irritation after wearing of the lens/es.

• Do not ever use household products to disinfect your lenses (they can seriously damage your eyes)

• Do not wear your lenses for longer period than advice.

• Do not sleep with contact lenses on.

• Do not handle lenses over wash basin or sink as they may fall into .

• Do not reuse the solution for 2-3 days or more.

• Do not use tap water or filter water to rinse your lenses.

• Do not dilute these solutions as this reduces their effectiveness.

• Do not store lenses in tap water or distilled water or in any eye drops.

• Do not rub eyes with lens/es on (gentle rub can be done).

• Do not splash water directly into the eye if lens/es are being worn.

• Do not use the solution if you are allergic to any ingredient of it.

• Do not use any eye drop while wearing contact lenses without being advised by your practitioner (few eye drops can be used - as per recommended by practitioner).

• Do not use contact lenses if they are dried (dehydrated) - may change their size and shape.

• Do not touch bottle tip or nostril with finger/s.

• Do not expose Solution bottle to sun light.

• Do not wear your lenses in the presence of noxious or irritating vapors/fumes, smoky or dusty conditions.

• Do not allow any hair spray or other cosmetics aerosols to come into contact with your lenses.

• Do not wear eye liner on the inside of your eyelids.

• Do not use saliva to wet your lenses, it is not true that your own bacteria are safe.

• Do not touch lenses with fingernails.

• Do not wear lenses while swimming.

• Do not shift from one solution to another without checking your eye care practitioner.