How do I care for my contact lenses?

Caring for your contact lenses helps keep you comfortable when wearing them and prevents damage to your eyes, which could lead to eye infections such as a chalazion or a stye. Thankfully, taking care of your contact lenses is a piece of cake, you just need to get into the routine of cleaning and storing your contact lenses properly each night.

Here are 3 important things to keep in mind:

• Clean your hands thoroughly before going anywhere near your eyes, or applying your lenses. Use soap (avoid the moisturising kind) and water for at least 20 seconds, before drying with a clean, lint-free towel. When travelling, pack some soap sheets with your eye care must-haves and disinfect your hands wherever you are.
• Know your solution: ensure you're using the type of solution recommended by your eye care professional and never use water if you run out. Water contains harmful bacteria that can cause irritation and eye infections, or even change the shape of your soft lens, making it completely useless.
• Store your lenses in solution every night, so they're disinfected and deposit-free by breakfast time.

It's important to follow a regular contact lens routine, without cutting corners. Here's a step-by-step guide for the ultimate evening eye care routine:

1. The day is over, and it's time to take out your lenses before you sleep. Clean your hands well and dry them thoroughly before getting started, to ensure you get a good grip.
2. Take one lens out at a time.
3. Place the lens in the palm of your hand, covering it with a drop of your recommended solution - rub it with your finger to give it a good clean for around 30 seconds. Flip the lens over and repeat on the other side, just like cleaning the back and front of glasses.
4. Rinse the lens, pouring some more solution over it to wash away any grime or germs that might still be stuck there.
5. Put your lens into its case, and fill the compartment with multi-purpose solution, before sealing it tight.
6. Repeat the above steps for your other lens. If using hydrogen peroxide solution, ensure you follow the steps as laid out in the instructions manual as they may differ slightly.

Make sure you clean your contact lens case with solution every week: you can do this by rubbing with your fingertip to remove stubborn debris and leaving it to dry naturally. It's recommended to replace it entirely every month. It's also important to replace multi-purpose solution after every use and once every 72 hours when your lenses aren't being stored in it.

If you're struggling with the removal and application process, fear not, we have you covered! Our opticians have created some video tutorials to help you out. Take it easy on yourself, newbies, and remember, practice makes perfect.

Using the right type of solution for your lenses is so important. Here are the main 3 types of solution explained:

1. Multi-purpose solution: The most common type of solution, which you can use to clean, disinfect, and store your lenses in. Always pour away old solution, refilling your case with a fresh top-up each time.
2. Saline solution: Unlike multi-purpose solution, this simple saltwater solution can be used to rinse off your lenses before inserting them. It's important to note that saline solution doesn't contain any cleansing agents, and you can't clean, disinfect or store your lenses in it.
3. Hydrogen peroxide solution: Usually recommended for wearers with sensitive eyes and ideal for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your lenses, hydrogen peroxide is a super-strong solution, and should only be used under the guidance of your optician. The process of using it is slightly more complicated and requires neutralising the solution, normally with an agent. If it hasn't been neutralised then it's not safe for your eyes. Wearers who've opted for hydrogen peroxide need to change their case every month, as the neutralising agent can lose its ability to work.

Want to avoid lengthy contact lens routines? Daily disposable lenses are the answer, especially if you like to wear your specs sometimes. Dailies are low-maintenance, as you can pop in a new pair whenever you want, and if a lens gets dirty - you can simply throw it away and start fresh. The design of a daily lens is also much thinner, meaning that more oxygen reaches your eyes, which could increase comfort. You can forget about deposit build-ups, revel in high levels of hydration, and skip out on all solutions of any kind! Where do you sign up? We hear you, but make sure to chat to your optometrist before you make the move.

For personalised advice on anything to do with contact lenses and eye health use our live chat, call our friendly customer support team on 020 7768 5000 in the UK or email help@visiondirect.co.uk. They're available Monday - Friday 8:00 - 21:00, and Saturday - Sunday 8:00 - 18:00.