By: Graham R. Stetson, OD, MS

Contact lenses are a popular and convenient solution for millions of people needing vision correction. On the other hand, wearing contact lenses inherently causes some issues because our eyes were not designed to have pieces of plastic on them. Understanding and practicing proper contact lens hygiene is essential to maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision. Improper lens care can lead to a variety of issues including irritation, inflammation, infection, and vision loss. 

Here are a few essential habits to practice in the new year to ensure your contact lens experience is safe and trouble-free:

1. Use Clean Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water, and dry thoroughly before handling lenses. This prevents irritation, inflammation, and infection caused by transferring dirt or bacteria to your eyes.

2. Avoid Water Contact: Tap, chlorinated, or saltwater can introduce aggressive microbes to your lenses, leading to severe infections. Avoid wearing lenses while swimming and remember to wait to put them in until after you shower. 

3. Don’t Forget to Blink: Wearing lenses can cause your eyes to dry out as they reduce your cornea’s sensitivity to blinking. Practice the 20/20/20+ rule: every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds and make five strong blinks to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

4. Let Your Eyes Breathe: Your cornea (the clear part of the eye) needs oxygen from the air to function properly. Wearing contact lenses reduces oxygen flow, especially when your eyes are closed. Limit lens wear to 10-12 hours daily and avoid wearing lenses for extended periods, even if they are approved for overnight use.

5. Sanitize Lenses Properly: For non-daily contact lenses, use peroxide-based or name-brand multipurpose solutions to clean lenses. Replace your lens case every three months. Always rub both sides of your lenses for at least ten seconds before placing them in the sanitizing solution in the case. Some people also rub the lenses when they remove them from the sanitizing solution, but that increases the risk of complications.

6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly: Contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year because regular eye assessments are crucial to preventing complications. Schedule your annual exam and see your eye doctor immediately if your eyes become red, painful, light-sensitive, or if your vision changes, remove your lenses.

Resolving to practice these better eyecare habits can help you protect your vision and enjoy a clear, comfortable experience with contact lenses. Cheers to a year of great vision!

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