If your contact lenses are not properly maintained, they can become harder to see through, thus defeating their purpose, and they will not last as long. Also, if they are not properly cleaned and disinfected, they can scratch your eyes and you could contract a potentially serious eye infection.

How should you take care of your daily disposable contact Lenses?

Nowadays, it is very easy to take care of your contact lenses. The easiest ones to take care of are daily lenses. All a person has to do is wash their hands before putting them in and then throw them away when they are done using them. 

How do you take care of your bi-weekly and monthly replacement contact lenses?

Taking care of lenses that need less frequent replacement is also quite easy. They need to be soaked in the solution overnight, and then used. Clear Care’s peroxide based solution is recommended by many optometrists. The solution is ideal for anyone who doesn't want too many chemicals in their products. Clear Care's box includes a solution and a special container with a metal disc at the bottom. The metal disc neutralizes the peroxide over time. This solution is only to be used for soaking the contact lenses in. Using it directly in the eyes can cause severe discomfort or worse. The container is filled with solution up to the line, and the contact lenses are placed into the baskets beneath the metal disc. Next, the contact lenses are left in the solution for five to six hours, depending on the brand. After that, one can simply wear them; there is no need to rinse them off since the solution was saline. Optometrists prefer Clear Care's peroxide-based solution because it has fewer chemicals than competing brands.

What is a multipurpose solution?

Multipurpose solution is an all-in-one care solution that allows you to clean, rinse, disinfect, and store soft contact lenses. Soft contact lens wearers commonly use this solution as a care system. For example Opti Free's Puremoist solution is recommended due to its gentleness, however most of the brands have good solutions. However, optometrists do recommend avoiding store-brand products. Store-brand solutions have older formulas and can cause compatibility issues with newer contact lenses made today.

Keep your contact lens clean and free of bacteria

Here are a few tips to ensure proper hygiene when cleaning your contact lenses. 

• Having clean hands is the most basic and most important part of contact lens care. When possible stay away from oil or lotion based soaps as they can make your contact lenses cloudy. 
• Use fresh contact lens solution every time you clean your contacts. 
• Do not use any other liquid to clean contact lenses, water, saline solution, eye drops do not clean or disinfect your contact lenses. 
• Don’t scratch your lenses with your nails, your nails may scratch the lens or transfer bacteria to your lens. 
• Do not swim, shower, or do anything that will expose your contact lenses to water.
• Do not sleep in daily wear lenses, and don’t wear lenses longer than the time that they are intended for. 
• Replace your contact lens case at least every three months. 
• It is recommended that you stop wearing your contact lenses and call your eye care provider if your eyes are itchy, red, pussy, or you are noticing blurred vision. This could be a sign of an infection.

Schedule a contact lens exam at American Family Vision Clinic in Olympia Washington

We welcome new patients to schedule for a contact lens exam at our office in Olympia Washington. Dr. Zurcher and our team of eyecare professionals will assist you in finding the right contact lenses for your needs. We take time with each patient to ensure that they are given the information and lenses that will ensure comfortable and healthy eyes and great vision.