• Before handling contact lenses, wash and rinse hands. Use a mild non-cosmetic soap. Soaps containing perfumes, oils, or lotions leave a film on the hands, which may be transferred to the lenses and cause eye irritation. Dry hands with a lint-free towel. Fingernails should be short and smooth to avoid damaging the lenses or scratching the eye.
• Apply cosmetics after inserting and handling contact lenses. Hairspray may leave deposits on the contact lens. Use hairspray before inserting contact lenses.
• Do not use tap water to clean or soak contact lenses. Tap water contains bacteria that can cause serious eye infections that may lead to blindness.
• Use the proper disinfecting solution with any soft contact lens which will be placed in your eye again.
• Use lens care products recommended by your eye doctor. Contact lens solutions are designed for single use only in the storing case. Do not use solutions more than one time. Protein-removing enzyme cleaners are useful for rigid gas permeable contact lenses and for daily wear non-disposable soft contact lenses.
• Replace the contact lens storage case every three months. Rinse the storage case every day with sterile rinsing solution. Let the storage case air dry.

It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding lens care and hygiene to prevent eye complications due to contact lens wear.

Contact lenses are generally not prescribed for people who:

• Do not produce enough tears
• Are constantly exposed to fumes
• Have a history of an infection of the cornea
• Are unable to take proper care of their contact lenses with regard to hygiene.

Authored By Dr. Neera Agrawal