Your contacts are tiny. The care rules are not.

CONTACT LENS CARE GUIDE · 3 min read

Why the routine matters

Contact lenses are a wonderful way to see clearly, but they sit directly on the surface of your eye. Old, poorly fitting, or poorly cleaned lenses can scratch the eye or raise the risk of a serious infection. Think of your lenses as tiny medical devices—not tiny reusable swimming goggles.

Keep water away from contacts

Do not shower, swim, use a hot tub, or let water get in your eyes while wearing contacts. Tap water is not sterile, and water plus contact lenses is a combination your eyes do not need. Never rinse or store lenses in water, and never use homemade saline.

Clean and disinfect every time

Wash and dry your hands with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses. Each time you remove reusable lenses, rub them gently with clean fingers and fresh recommended solution, rinse them, and then soak them as directed. Even “no-rub” solutions benefit from a careful rub-and-rinse routine.

Use new solution every time. Do not reuse old solution or “top it off.” Saline and rewetting drops may feel helpful, but they do not disinfect lenses. And please do not use saliva to rewet a lens—your mouth is many things, but a sterile contact-lens case is not one of them.

Respect the replacement schedule

Follow the wearing and replacement schedule Dr. Anklin gives you, as well as the directions from the lens and solution manufacturers. Do not sleep in daily-wear lenses. If lenses have been sitting in their case for a long time, follow the product directions for re-disinfecting them before wearing.

Do not forget the case

Rinse your case with sterile contact-lens solution, not tap water, and let it air dry open. Replace the case at least every three months—or sooner if it is cracked or damaged. A clean lens deserves a clean home.

Know when to call

Remove your lenses and contact our office promptly if you have significant redness, pain, watering, light sensitivity, blurred vision, discharge, or symptoms that are not improving. These can be signs of infection or another eye problem that needs professional care.

Ask about contact lens care