Have you finally made the leap from prescription glasses to contact lenses? It may seem like a lot to handle but contact lens care, while crucial, is really quite simply. By simply understanding how contacts work and the various types of lenses you can enjoy the freedom that contacts provide. Here are four things to follow when caring for your lenses.

Handle with Clean Care

Your hands can carry a multitude of germs that, when introduced to the eye, can cause dangerous infections to form. The number one rule of handling contact lenses is to ensure that you thoroughly wash and dry your hands before handling them.

You should use a soap that is free from oils and lotions and rinse them thoroughly. Don’t use hand sanitizer to clean your hands before handling your contacts. You should not handle makeup or hair spray prior to handling your lenses either.

Clean and Sanitize Daily

Disposable contact lenses should be cleaned each and every night. This is done with a disinfecting solution that rids your lenses of enzymes that build up during the day. They should be placed in a clean, air tight lens holder with the solution recommended by your eye doctor. Never use water to clean your lenses or your lens case. The case should be cleaned each morning with a sterile solution, not water. It should be replaced frequently, usually once every two or three months.

Follow Wear Instructions

There are many different types of lenses that should be worn according to their individual instructions. Daily contacts should never be worn for more than one day. Weekly, biweekly, and monthly lenses should be discarded accordingly. Wearing contacts longer than recommended could result in eye infections and even blindness in rare cases. Unless you are wearing lenses labeled “extended wear”, you should never sleep in your lenses. You should not wear your contacts in a pool that has been treated with a salt water softener or chlorine.

Don’t Suffer Through Them

If you feel any sort of discomfort from your lenses, do not hesitate to remove them until you can see your eye doctor. While temporary discomfort can occur when contacts become dry, a constant discomfort is not normal. If you feel your eyes becoming excessively dry, watery or feel any sort of discomfort, remove them immediately.

If you are interested in wearing contact lenses then you should consult with your eye doctor and discuss your options. There are various types of eye contacts and your eye doctor can help find the perfect type for you. Remember that not all contacts are the same but proper care is key to keeping your eyes healthy and seeing clearly.