Eye Society

Categories
AllContactsGlassesExamEye Health
Home  |  Contacts  |  How to care for your contact lenses

How to care for your contact lenses

Contact lenses are pretty amazing when you think about it. They help you see clearly, stay in place during workouts, and don't fog up every time you walk into a warm building. 

But they also sit directly on your eyeballs. 

That's why proper contact lens care matters. A few simple habits can help keep your eyes comfortable, reduce the risk of irritation and infection, and help your lenses perform the way they're supposed to. 

Whether you're brand new to contacts or just need a refresher, here's how to take care of your contact lenses safely. 

Contact lens care basics 

If you only remember a few things about contact lens care, make these those things: 

  • Always wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses 

  • Never clean or store contacts in water (even purified water) 

  • Use fresh contact lens solution every day 

  • Replace your lenses according to their prescribed schedule 

These simple habits go a long way toward protecting your eye health. 

 

How to take care of contact lenses for beginners 

Getting used to contacts can feel intimidating at first, but the routine becomes second nature pretty quickly. 

A typical day looks like this: 

  1. Wash and dry your hands 

  1. Wear them according to your doctor's instructions 

  1. Clean and store reusable lenses properly 

  1. Start fresh the next day 

If you wear daily disposable contacts, the process is even simpler. Wear them once, throw them away, and open a new pair the next day. 

Daily contact lens hygiene steps 

Healthy contact lens habits start long before the lenses touch your eyes. 

Before putting contacts in 

Before handling your lenses: 

  • Wash your hands with soap and water 

  • Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel 

  • Inspect each lens for tears, debris, or damage 

If a lens looks damaged or dirty, don't put it in your eye. Open a fresh lens or clean it according to its care instructions. 

While wearing contacts 

Once your contacts are in: 

  • Avoid touching your eyes unnecessarily 

  • Keep lenses away from water 

  • Remove them if they become painful or uncomfortable 

Contacts should feel comfortable. If they don't, something may need attention. 

After removing contacts 

  • Place the lens on your clean palm/fingertip 

  • Apply fresh contact lens solution 

  • Gently rub the lens as directed 

  • Rinse with solution 

  • Store in a clean case filled with fresh solution 

Never reuse old solution, even if it appears clean. Fresh solution is much better at disinfecting your lenses. 

How to maintain hygiene with contact lenses 

Think of your contact lenses like anything else that touches your body every day. Clean habits help prevent problems. 

Some of the most important hygiene practices include: 

  • Washing hands before handling lenses 

  • Cleaning reusable lenses every night 

  • Replacing solution daily 

  • Keeping the lens case clean 

  • Following replacement schedules 

Good hygiene doesn't just help prevent eye infections. It can also reduce dryness, irritation, and discomfort. 

How to store contact lenses properly 

Proper storage is just as important as proper cleaning. 

If you wear reusable contacts: 

  • Store them in fresh disinfecting solution 

  • Use a clean case 

  • Replace the solution every day 

  • Never top off old solution with new solution 

Topping off old solution may seem harmless, but it can reduce the disinfecting power of the solution and increase contamination risk. 

How to keep your contact lens case clean 

Your contact lens case can collect bacteria if it's not cleaned regularly. 

Every day: 

  • Empty old solution 

  • Rinse the case with fresh solution 

  • Allow the case to air dry 

Every three months: 

  • Replace the case with a new one 

Many people remember to replace their lenses but forget about the case. Don't worry, we’ll send you a new one with each order. 

Which contact lens solution should you use? 

The best contact lens solution depends on your lenses and your eyes. 

Your eye doctor may recommend one of two common options. 

Multi-purpose solution 

Multi-purpose solution cleans, rinses, 

disinfects, and stores lenses in a single product. 

Many contact lens wearers prefer it because it's simple and convenient. 

Hydrogen peroxide solution 

Hydrogen peroxide systems provide deep cleaning and are often recommended for people with sensitive eyes or allergies. 

However, these solutions require a neutralization step before lenses can be worn. 

If lenses are placed directly into your eyes before the solution has been fully neutralized, it can cause significant burning and discomfort. Ouch! 

Always follow the instructions exactly when using a hydrogen peroxide system. 

Contact lens solution dos and don'ts 

Do 

  • Use the solution recommended by your eye doctor 

  • Use fresh solution every day 

  • Rub lenses when instructed 

  • Follow all product directions 

  • Check expiration dates 

Don't 

  • Share solution with someone else 

  • Mix different solutions unless instructed 

  • Make your own solution 

  • Store contacts in water 

  • Use saliva to clean lenses (ew) 

Yes, people try that last one. No, it's not a good idea. 

What should you avoid when wearing contacts? 

Many contact lens complications happen because people cut corners. 

Avoid: 

  • Sleeping in contacts that aren't approved for overnight wear 

  • Wearing damaged lenses 

  • Extending replacement schedules 

  • Reusing daily disposable lenses 

Shortcuts may save time today, but they can lead to bigger problems later. 

Can daily contacts be worn for two days? 

No. 

Daily disposable lenses are designed to be worn once and then discarded. 

Even if they still feel comfortable, they aren't intended to be cleaned, stored, or reused. 

Trying to stretch daily lenses into multiple days greatly increases the risk of discomfort, deposits, and infection. 

Can I sleep in my contacts? 

The safest answer is no. 

Some lenses are FDA-approved for overnight wear, but eye doctors generally recommend removing contact lenses before sleep whenever possible. 

Sleeping in contacts can: 

  • Reduce oxygen flow to the eye 

  • Increase dryness 

  • Raise the risk of infection 

Even short naps can leave your eyes feeling dry or irritated. 

What should I do if I swim/shower with contacts in? 

These things happen. But any exposure to water can be bad news for contact lenses and your eyes. 

If you swim/shower while wearing contacts: 

  1. Remove the lenses as soon as possible 

  1. Clean and disinfect reusable lenses thoroughly 

  1. Discard daily disposable lenses 

  1. Watch for redness, pain, or changes in vision 

Water (even chlorinated or purified water) can expose lenses to microorganisms and other nastiness, and trap them against the surface of your eyes. 

If you experience persistent discomfort, don’t hesitate to contact your eye doctor. 

What is the 20-20-20 rule for contacts? 

Contact lenses don't prevent digital eye strain. 

If you spend hours staring at screens, try the 20-20-20 rule: 

Every 20 minutes: 

  • Look at something 20 feet away 

  • For at least 20 seconds 

This helps reduce eye strain and encourages blinking, which can really improve comfort during extended contact lens wear. 

What is the 4-to-1 rule for contact lenses? 

Some eye care professionals recommend a simple reminder known as the 4-to-1 rule. 

For every four hours of contact lens wear, try giving your eyes at least one hour of rest when practical. 

While not an official medical guideline, it can be a helpful reminder to balance contact lens wear with glasses when your eyes feel tired or dry. 

What is the 3-1-1 rule for contacts? 

If you're traveling with contact lens solution, the TSA's 3-1-1 rule is useful to know. 

For carry-on luggage: 

  • Liquids must be 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less 

  • All liquids must fit in one quart-sized bag 

  • Each traveler can bring one bag 

Travel-size solution can make trips much easier. 

Daily disposable contacts are also popular for travel because they eliminate the need for cleaning solution altogether. 

Can astigmatism make contacts blurry? 

Yes. 

If you have astigmatism, blurry vision can sometimes occur because the lens isn't positioned correctly or because your prescription has changed. 

Other possible causes include: 

  • Dry eyes 

  • Dirty lenses 

  • Damaged lenses 

  • An outdated prescription 

If your contacts suddenly seem blurry, schedule an eye exam to determine the cause. 

Warning signs you should call your eye doctor 

Contact your eye doctor if you experience: 

  • Persistent redness 

  • Eye pain 

  • Light sensitivity 

  • Excessive tearing 

  • Blurred vision 

  • Eye discharge 

Don't try to "power through" discomfort. Early treatment can prevent minor issues from becoming more serious problems. 

A simple contact lens care routine to remember 

If all of this feels like a lot, here's the simple version: 

  • Clean hands 

  • Clean lenses 

  • Fresh solution 

  • Clean case 

  • No water 

  • No sleeping in contacts 

  • Replace lenses on schedule 

That's really the foundation of safe contact lens wear. 

Taking a few extra minutes each day can help keep your eyes healthy, comfortable, and ready for whatever comes next. 

 

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to extra trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You'll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It's never been easier to get your contacts! 

Original published date: 1/23/2020 

Updated: 8/17/2026