Disinfection

After removing your contact lenses it is essential that you disinfect them. This prevents harmful organisms building up on the lens. Your contact lens practitioner will advise you of the best contact lens system and care regime for your type of lenses. Disinfection involves soaking your lenses in solution in a storage case for a specific period of time.

Case care

Rinse your storage case, leave it open to dry after use each day, and replace monthly. A dirty case is a major source of infection. Clean the storage case using a clean toothbrush and contact lens solution on a weekly basis.

With daily disposable lenses, no cleaning and disinfection is required after wear since the lenses are worn only once and thrown away. Do not re-use these lenses since disinfecting solution will not be available and they are unsuitable for repeated use. Wearing daily disposables does not decrease the importance of regular check-ups with your contact lens practitioner.

Extended wear lenses are specially designed for overnight wear and can be continuously worn for up to a week or a month at a time before being discarded. Do not sleep in lenses

Unless advised to do so by your practitioner to do so. Your practitioner will also advise you on how to look after the lenses if you have to remove them during this time. You may need to attend more frequently for check-ups if you wear this type of lens.

Useful tips for contact lens care

The following tips apply to all contact lens types:

DO

• Follow the wearing schedule given by your optician.
• Wash and rinse your hands before insertion and removal of lenses.
• Always use fresh solution.
• Replace faulty, damaged or dried out lenses.
• Replace your lens case at least every 3 months.
• Handle daily disposable lenses as little as possible.
• Rub and rinse monthly disposable lenses before insertion.
• Have an up-to-date pair of spectacles for when you need to remove your lenses.
• Replace the lenses at the interval specified by your practitioner.
• Have regular check-ups with your practitioner as recommended.
• Seek professional advice if you are having problems with your contact lenses.

DON'T

• Ignore eye irritations.
• Go to bed with a painful red eye - seek advice immediately.
• Bring any contact lens in contact with tap water.
• Wet your lenses with saliva.
• Re-use solutions.
• Wear lenses while swimming (unless you use goggles) or showering.
  

You must consult your optician if:

• Your eyes become red and/or irritable.
• You have reduced vision in one or both of your eyes.
• You have any queries regarding your lenses.