Contact Lens Care Guide — 10 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Why Lens Care Matters

Contact lens-related eye infections are almost always preventable. The vast majority are caused by poor hygiene habits — things that take only seconds to get right. One corneal infection can cause pain, extended recovery, and in rare cases, permanent vision impairment.

1. Always Wash Your Hands First

Wash your hands with soap and water before handling lenses. Dry them with a lint-free towel. Bacteria, viruses, and environmental residues on your fingers transfer directly onto the lens surface and into your eye.

2. Use Only Recommended Contact Lens Solution

Use only products specifically designed for contact lens care. Never use:

• Tap water
• Distilled or bottled water
• Saliva
• Saline nasal spray

Even clean-looking tap water contains microorganisms including Acanthamoeba, which can cause a serious and painful corneal infection.

3. Rub and Rinse — Even with "No Rub" Solution

Gently rub each lens with a drop of fresh solution for 20 seconds, then rinse. Studies consistently show rubbing removes more deposit and microbes than rinsing alone, even when using solutions labelled "no-rub".

4. Replace Your Lens Case Every 3 Months

Cases accumulate biofilm — a thin, tough layer of bacteria that solution cannot fully penetrate. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the case monthly; at minimum do it every 3 months. Cases are inexpensive — many solution bottles include a new case.

5. Never Top Up — Empty and Refill

After removing lenses, empty the old solution from the case completely. Refill with fresh solution. Topping up existing solution dilutes its effectiveness and allows contamination to persist.

6. Clean the Case After Each Use

Rinse the case with fresh lens solution (not water), wipe each compartment with a clean dry tissue, and leave the case open face-down on a tissue to air dry. Never rinse with tap water.

7. Follow Your Replacement Schedule

Daily lenses are for one day only. Monthly lenses are for 30 calendar days from the day you open them. Even if a monthly lens still feels comfortable after 35 days, the material has degraded. Replace on schedule.

8. Remove Lenses Before Sleeping, Showering, and Swimming

Remove lenses before any contact with water. This includes:

• Sleeping (unless your lenses are specifically extended-wear approved)
• Showering or bathing
• Swimming in pools, rivers, or the sea
• Hot tubs (extremely high infection risk)

9. Never Share Contact Lenses

Even coloured cosmetic lenses. Even "just for a photo". Sharing lenses transfers microorganisms between eyes and is a direct route to infection. Each pair is fitted to one person's eye shape and prescription.

10. Have Annual Eye Exams

Your contact lens prescription can change without obvious symptoms. An annual eye test catches early signs of complications (corneal changes, dry eye progression, infection) before they become serious. Your optometrist will also check that your lenses are still the right fit for your eyes.

Quick Reference

• Wash hands ✓
• Fresh solution only ✓
• Rub and rinse ✓
• Replace case every 3 months ✓
• Never add water ✓
• Remove before sleep/water ✓