The Importance of Cleaning Contact Lenses
Maintaining proper hygiene when using contact lenses is crucial for safeguarding your vision and avoiding serious eye infections. Many eye issues linked to contact lens use stem from poor cleaning habits or skipping steps in lens care. Understanding how to clean your contact lenses ensures you reduce the risk of irritation, inflammation, and long-term damage to your eyes. At Spectacle Hub, our optometrists frequently see patients who experience discomfort due to poor lens hygiene. Thankfully, a consistent cleaning routine paired with professional guidance can make all the difference in preserving your eye health.
Types of Contact Lenses and How They Affect Cleaning
Not all lenses are cleaned the same way. Whether you wear daily disposables, fortnightly lenses, monthly lenses, or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, each type has specific cleaning requirements. For example, daily disposables do not require cleaning at all – they are discarded after one use. On the other hand, monthly lenses demand rigorous daily maintenance to stay safe and comfortable to wear.
At Spectacle Hub’s Contact Lens Specialist, we provide tailored advice based on your lifestyle, vision needs, and lens type. This ensures your cleaning process is both effective and compatible with your prescribed lenses.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Contact Lenses Properly
Cleaning reusable lenses properly each day is the foundation of good contact lenses care. Even with high-quality products, failure to clean thoroughly can lead to discomfort, blurred vision, or even eye infections. Here’s how to clean your contact lenses the right way:
Daily Cleaning Routine
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them using a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.
- Place a lens in your palm, apply a few drops of multipurpose solution, and gently rub with your fingertip for around 20 seconds.
- Rinse the lens with fresh solution (never use water or saliva).
Store the lens in a clean case filled with new solution. Repeat the process for the second lens.
Weekly Deep Cleaning Tips
Use enzymatic cleaners or protein removal tablets if advised by your optometrist.
Regularly check for scratches or protein build-up and stop wearing any lens that appears damaged.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution
Using the correct solution is essential for ensuring your lenses remain sterile and comfortable. Multipurpose solutions are the most common and convenient, cleaning, rinsing, and storing your lenses all in one. Hydrogen peroxide systems provide a deeper clean but must be neutralised properly before insertion to avoid eye damage.
Never use tap water, distilled water, or saliva to rinse or store your lenses – these can introduce harmful bacteria to your eyes. If you’re unsure which solution is best, speak to a contact lens care specialist at Spectacle Hub.
Caring for Your Lens Case
Your lens case is often overlooked but plays a key role in maintaining hygiene. A dirty case can harbour bacteria, even if your lenses are clean. That’s why regular cleaning and replacing your case is just as important as cleaning your lenses.
Tips for proper lens case care:
- Rinse the case with contact lens solution after each use – never with water.
- Leave the case open and upside down on a clean tissue to air dry.
- Replace your case every one to three months or immediately if it becomes damaged.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Contact Lenses
Despite best intentions, many contact lens wearers make critical errors in their cleaning routine. These mistakes not only impact the effectiveness of clean contact lenses but also put your eyes at risk of infection.
- Topping off old solution instead of using fresh solution each time.
- Skipping the rub-and-rinse step, which is vital for removing microscopic debris.
- Sleeping in lenses not approved for overnight wear.
- Ignoring expiry dates on solutions or continuing to wear old, worn-out lenses.
- Reusing disposable lenses, especially daily disposables, which are not designed for multiple uses.
Being mindful of these habits can greatly improve your overall eye care and keep your vision clear and comfortable.
Signs You Need to See a Contact Lens Specialist
If you’re doing everything right but still experiencing discomfort, it may be time to consult a professional. Blurry vision, dryness, red eyes, or a gritty feeling could be signs of underlying issues.
A specialist at Spectacle Hub can assess your fit, recommend alternative lenses, or suggest new cleaning products that suit your unique needs. Seeking timely help can prevent minor irritation from developing into a more serious eye condition.
The Role of Routine Eye Check-ups
Even with perfect cleaning habits, it’s important to have regular eye examinations. Your eyes can change over time, affecting how your contact lenses fit and function. Regular appointments at Spectacle Hub ensure your prescription is up-to-date and your eye care is well-managed. These visits also help detect early signs of eye infections, allergies, or other conditions that could be aggravated by lens use.
Make Lens Care a Daily Priority
Knowing how to clean your contact lenses properly is a vital part of preserving your vision and avoiding complications. From choosing the right solution to understanding lens types and case hygiene, every step matters. By following a consistent routine and scheduling regular check-ups with our contact lens specialists at Spectacle Hub, you’ll enjoy safe and comfortable vision every day.
