This Contact Lens Health Week, we’re want to show you how small habits can make a big difference to your vision. Whether you’re new to lenses or have worn them for years, knowing how to care for them properly helps protect your sight, for life. Your eyes are precious. Let’s look after them.
Contact Lens Care Tips: How to Wear, Clean and Remove Lenses Safely
Contact lenses can be life-changing – offering clear sight, confidence, and freedom. With the right care and a few simple habits, they’re also a safe and healthy choice for your eyes. Understanding how to use and clean your lenses properly helps lower the risk of discomfort or infection, so you can keep seeing clearly for years to come.
Why Contact Lens Care Matters
Wearing Contact Lenses: Start With Clean Hands and Good Habits
Always wash and dry your hands before handling lenses. Use the correct lens for each eye, and gently place it on your fingertip. Look straight ahead or slightly upwards as you guide it onto your eye. Blink and you’re ready.
Quick Tips:
- Put lenses in before applying make-up.
- Never rinse lenses with tap water or saliva.
- Only sleep in lenses if your optician says it’s safe
Removing Contact Lenses: Stay Calm, Be Gentle
Wash and dry your hands. Look up, gently pull down your lower eyelid, and use your fingers to pinch the lens out. If it feels stuck, blink a few times after using rewetting drops before trying again.
Lens Hygiene: Don’t Cut Corners
- Clean your lenses with fresh solution every day.
- Store them in a clean case and replace it every three months.
- Stick to your optician’s replacement schedule, try not to push it, even if it’s just one more day.
Swimming, Sports & Contact Lenses: Use Extra Care
Water and contact lenses don’t mix. Swimming, hot tubs, or even showering in lenses can expose your eyes to harmful bacteria.
Safe Practices:
- Wear daily disposables if you must wear lenses near water, and throw them away after.
- Consider prescription swimming goggles.
- For sports, choose breathable, stable lenses designed for active use.
Listen to Your Eyes
If you notice redness, pain, blurred vision, or discharge, remove your lenses straight away and contact an eye care professional. Don’t ignore the warning signs, your vision is priceless, look after it.
During Contact Lens Health Week, we’re reminded that access to good eye care isn’t equal around the world. At Orbis, we’re working to change that, training local eye teams and bringing vision-saving treatment to communities in need.
Contact lenses can bring comfort and confidence, but only with the right care. Safe habits protect your sight now and for years to come.
Help protect someone else’s sight today.
Authored by John Ferris
John Ferris is a UK ophthalmologist and a consultant Ophthalmologist at Cheltenham General Hospital since 1999. He is also an Orbis Volunteer and Orbis UK trustee.
