Healthy Contact Lens Wear

"You only have one pair of eyes, so take care of them! Taking proper care of your contact lenses can help you see better and keep your eyes healthy.

When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a safe and effective way to correct vision. In fact, more than 45 million Americans wear contact lenses. However, wearing contact lenses can increase your chance of getting an eye infection — especially if you do not care for them the right way.

Healthy Habits = Healthy Eyes

You can enjoy the comfort and benefits of contact lenses while lowering your chance of an eye infection. Follow your eye doctor’s instructions for how to wear, clean, and store your lenses to lower the chance of getting germs in your eyes that could cause infections. Contact lens-related eye infections can lead to long-lasting damage to your eyesight. Even minor infections can be painful and disrupt day-to-day life. Your contact lens wear and care habits, supplies, and eye doctor are all essential to keeping your eyes healthy.

What You Can Do

If you wear contact lenses, take simple steps to protect your eyes.

1. Don’t wear contact lenses while sleeping unless directed to do so by your eye doctor.

• Studies have shown that wearing contact lenses while sleeping increases the chance of an eye infection by 6 to 8 times.

2.  Never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.

• Use only fresh contact lens solution in your case. Adding new solution to used solution can lower germ-killing power.

3. Don’t swim or shower while wearing contact lenses.

• Contact lenses can carry germs from the water into the eye..."

Contact lens