Contact Lens Hygiene: The Habits That Protect Your Eyes

The Most Common Mistakes

In clinical practice, we see the same hygiene errors repeatedly. The most dangerous ones are also, unfortunately, the most common:

• Sleeping in lenses not approved for overnight wear. Even a single night of sleeping in contacts significantly increases infection risk. The cornea needs oxygen — lenses reduce oxygen flow, and closed eyelids reduce it further.
• Topping off solution. Never add fresh solution to old solution in your case. Empty, rinse with fresh solution, and air dry inverted on a clean tissue each day.
• Swimming or showering in lenses. Tap water, pool water, and hot tub water all carry microorganisms including Acanthamoeba — a rare but devastating corneal infection almost exclusively associated with contact lens wear and water exposure.
• Wearing lenses past their replacement schedule. Daily lenses are designed for one day. Two-week lenses for two weeks. Using them longer changes the lens surface in ways that increase bacterial adhesion and irritation.

Proper Care Routine

Wash your hands before handling lenses every time — not just a quick rinse, but a thorough 20-second scrub with soap.

Rub and rinse your lenses with multipurpose solution even if the bottle says "no rub." The mechanical rubbing step physically removes deposits and microorganisms more effectively than soaking alone.

Replace your lens case monthly. Cases are a major source of contamination. They're inexpensive — your eye doctor will often give them to you for free.

Never use tap water, saliva, or homemade saline to rinse or store lenses.

Warning Signs That Need Attention Today

If you experience any of the following while wearing contacts, remove your lenses immediately and call us:

• Sudden eye pain or significant discomfort
• Redness that doesn't resolve after removing lenses
• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision that doesn't clear
• Discharge

Corneal infections can progress rapidly. A same-day evaluation is always better than waiting to see if it resolves on its own.

Daily Disposables: The Safest Option

For patients who are prone to deposits, have allergies, or have had previous eye infections, daily disposable lenses eliminate most hygiene variables entirely — no case, no solution, no overnight decisions. They're also more comfortable for many patients. If you haven't tried dailies, it's worth discussing at your next visit.