Contact Lens Care Guide

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Apoorva Aggrawal, MS | Shroff Eye centre

How to Care for Contact Lenses Safely: The 3 C’s of Contact Lens Care

Contact lenses are safe and convenient when used correctly. The basic rule of contact lens care follows three simple principles: clean hands, clean lenses, and clean eyes. Proper hygiene, correct storage, and regular eye check-ups help prevent infections and protect your vision.

This guide explains how to clean contact lenses, store them safely, and avoid common mistakes that may lead to eye infections.

Note: This information isn’t for lenses meant for stopping progression of myopia or hard contact lenses. This blog is not medical advice. Read disclaimer below.

What Are the 3 C’s of Contact Lens Care?

The safest way to use contact lenses is to follow the three basic rules of lens hygiene.

1. Clean hands: 

Wash your hands with soap and water- and dry your hands with a clean cloth – before wearing or removing your lenses.

2. Clean lens:

Discard lenses which are expired, dry or discolored. Also don’t wear lenses more than the number of times mentioned on the box. Use only sterile lens solution to store your lenses & clean your storage case.

3. Clean eyes: 

Don’t sleep with lenses and makeup on. If you get redness or irritation or discharge from the eyes, don’t wear the lenses. Come show us asap. There could be an infection or an allergy, which may get worse with lenses.

What Are the Do’s and Don’ts of Contact Lens Use?

Following proper contact lens hygiene practices can help prevent serious eye infections.

Do’s of Contact Lens Care

• Wash your hands before wearing or removing lenses
• Check the expiry date of lenses and lens solution
• Check lenses for damage before wearing
• Use only sterile lens solution for cleaning and storage
• Clean the lens case thoroughly with every use
• Replace the lens storage case and lens solution as recommended
• Consult an eye specialist before starting contact lens use

 

Contact lenses come in different sizes, types and thickness and need to be fit properly to ensure comfortable & clear vision. Often people just visit an optical shop and buy lenses directly from optical shops without a proper eye examination. It is better to ensure you have no pre-existing corneal problems which may worsen with contact lens wear and cause damage to your vision.

Always carry backup glasses or an extra pair of contact lenses in case something happens to the contacts you are wearing.

Don’ts of Contact Lens Use

• Don’t use old, dry, discolored, damaged, or expired lenses
• Do not use water or homemade lens solutions for cleaning
• Do not sleep while wearing contact lenses
• Do not wear lenses for very long hours unless approved by a doctor
• Do not wear lenses if you have redness, irritation, or discharge from the eyes
• Do not wear lenses if your doctor has advised against them
• Do not swim or shower while wearing contact lenses
• Do not share lenses with anyone else

Tips for People Who Are Starting Contact Lens Use

Some new contact lens users may find it irritating and time consuming in the beginning to wear lenses. Be gentle and patient, these are your eyes.

If they water too much, take a break. If the lens develops a scratch from repeated attempts to wear, please discard this lens. And if your eye hurts or waters excessively with the lens inside, please take it out.

You may have scratched your cornea and need to go show an eye doctor around you if the redness and pain doesn’t subside soon.

Before starting contact lenses, always consult an eye doctor to:

• Get the correct fit and type of lens for your eye
• Ensure that there is no undetected problem with your eyes which may get worse with lenses.

Remember to follow the Do’s and Don’ts of lenses- especially on cleanliness & storage of lenses. Many times we have seen horrid eye infections- which can scar the cornea and ruin eyesight- just because someone was too tired or complacent- and didn’t wash their hands or use lens solution- and thought nothing would happen just once.

 

How to Wear Contact Lenses Step by Step?

Follow these steps for safe contact lens insertion.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap & water and then drub with a grown cloth.
2. Stand near a clean surface when you handle contact lenses.
3. Always open one side cover of the lens box- left or right. Do this especially if your lens power is different in each eye to avoid mixing up the lenses.
4. Carefully and gently pick out the lens and clean it with sterile lens solution in your palm.
5. Put the lens on the tip of your index finger and check the lens for any damage. Also, check that the lens is correct-side out.
6. Hold your upper lid and/ or lower lid open and look into the mirror. Gently insert the lens.
7. Close your eyes gently and Rotate your eyeball slowly with closed eyes in all directions to set the lens properly.
8. Look again into the mirror to check the lens position. If the lens is inserted and centered correctly, you should feel comfortable and your vision will be clear.
9. If you feel discomfort or have blurry vision, you need to take it out and check the lens for damage. If it’s ok and you don’t feel discomfort with the lens out, you can try wear the lens again.
10. Empty the old lens solution which was in the container.

Repeat the same steps for the other eye.

 

How to Remove Contact Lenses Safely?

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them properly.
2. Stand near a clean surface.
3. Clean the lens case and fill it with fresh sterile solution.
4. Look into the mirror and gently pull down your lower eyelid.
5. Slide the lens to the white part of the eye.
6. Carefully pinch the lens between your fingers to remove it.
7. Clean the lens with sterile solution and place it in the correct side of the storage case.
8. Close the container tightly.

Repeat the process for the other eye. Discard any lens that appears damaged.

 

Can I Store Contact Lenses in Water?

No, you should never store contact lenses in water.

It’s a common misconception that clean, drinking water can be used to clean lens containers or to store lenses.

Tap water and drinking water contain microorganisms that may transfer to the eye through the lens. These microorganisms can cause severe eye infections and may permanently damage vision.

If you don’t have the sterile lens solution, It is better to throw away the lenses. This is better than the risk of losing your eyesight in attempts to save money by storing it in water.

 

How Should You Clean a Contact Lens Case?

Lens containers should be cleaned and dried after every use.

Steps to clean your lens case properly:

• Use sterile multipurpose lens solution. Some companies sell special lens container cleaning solutions and you must follow instructions given with the solution to ensure you neutralise the chemicals before storing your lenses.
• Throw away the old lens solution.
• Clean and dry your hands with a lint-free cloth.
• Fill a new multipurpose lens solution and scrub the container’s insides with your finger.
• Flush with fresh lens solution and then discard to remove any debris.
• Clean the cap in a similar fashion.
• Air dry in a relatively clean, dust- free environment or invert over a clean sterile cloth or tissue to dry. Allow to fully dry before use.

Even if the case looks clean, replace it every few months because invisible bacterial biofilms can develop inside.

Do not use boiled water, surface cleaners, alcohol, or hand sanitiser to clean lens cases.

 

Are There Alternatives to Contact Lenses?

Whatever your lifestyle and preferences, your eye doctor can help you find the right contact lenses or eye care solutions for you. If you find contact lenses a problem but still want to correct your eyesight without glasses, LASIK or refractive eye surgery is another option. Remember to always consult our eye specialist with questions about the health of your eyes and vision.

Know more about contact lens consultation or alternatives like LASIK and Refractive surgery at Shroff Eye Centre, the best eye hospital in Delhi delivering ethical eye care. Call or WhatsApp us.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I sleep while wearing contact lenses?

No. Sleeping with contact lenses reduces oxygen supply to the cornea and increases the risk of eye infections.

Q: Can I clean contact lenses with water?

No. Water contains microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections. Always use sterile contact lens solution.

Q: How often should a contact lens case be replaced?

Most eye specialists recommend replacing the lens case every 1 to 3 months to prevent bacterial buildup.

Q: What should I do if my eye becomes red while wearing lenses?

Remove the lens immediately and consult an eye specialist. Redness may indicate irritation, infection, or allergy.

Q: Do I need an eye test before using contact lenses?

Yes. Contact lenses should be fitted after a proper eye examination to ensure the correct size, type, and power.

 

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advise of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in a video or read about in a blog or website.