Looking after you lenses has never been so easy with the advances in daily disposables and multipurpose contact lens solution for reusable lenses.

Why is it important to look after my lenses?

If you don’t look after your lenses as they’re intended or handle or clean them properly, you may not feel, look or see as well as you can. Problems are rare and most likely to happen when you don’t take care of your lenses or your eyes.

Good hygiene and not wearing your lenses overnight are the most important factor in safe contact lens wear.

Getting the best out of your lenses

Stick to the recommended wearing times and replacement schedule of your lenses, don’t be tempted to over-wear your lenses.
You should avoid water coming into contact with your lenses when showering , swimming and participating in water activities. Make sure you take special care when travelling and take all the lenses and solutions you need with you.

Why are regular check ups so important?

Check-ups are a great opportunity to find out if there are any advances in contact lens technology and make sure your lenses are the best for you and your eyes. Your practitioner will also check you vision and eye health, remind you about lens care procedures then advise you about when your need to return.

Top tips to successful lens wear

Always wash and dry your hands prior to handling your lenses.
If your lenses are re-usable, rub and rinse them with solution before your put them on your eyes and before you store them.
Make sure your empty the lens case after each use, clean and air dry it and replace regularly. Never use tap water to store, clean or rinse your lenses or case. Only use the solution recommended by your eyecare practitioner.

Contact lenses seldom, if ever, cause serious eye complications and generally speaking, wearers only tend to get significant sysmptoms when a condition may be in its secondary or advanced stages. By having regular and planned aftercare examinations, you can ensure that you have good eye health and should there be any issues then they are more likely to be of a minor nature.

Remember to check your eyes each time you wear your lenses. If your eyes feel uncomfortable or look red, or if your vision becomes blurred with either eye, remove your contact lenses straight away, leave them off and seek advise from your eye care practioner, even if you are not due a check-up.
A good rule of thumb to remember is:’ If in dooubt take them out’.

Hear are some Do’s and Don’ts of contact lens wear.

Do

Have regular check-ups as advised by your practitioner.
Wash and dry your hands.
Rub, rinse and store your lenses in the recommended solution before and after each use (except for single use lenses which should be discarded after each wear).
Clean the lens case with solution, wipe with a clean tissue then air dry after each use.
Always apply the same lens first to avoid mixing them up.
Check the lens is not inside out or damaged before applying.
Apply your lenses before putting on make-up.
Remove lenses then remove make-up.
Keep your eyes closed when applying hairspray or aerosols.
Replace your lens case regularly.
Discard lenses and solutions that are past their expiry date.
Wear only the lenses specified by your contact lens practitioner.
Stick strictly to the recommended wearing schedule and replacement frequency.
Have an up-to-date pair of spectacles for when you need to remove your lenses.

Don’t

Use tap water, or any other water, on your lenses or lens case.
Wet your lenses with Saliva.
Put a lens on the eye if it falls on the floor or other surface, without cleaning or storing (6hrs) it again.
Apply a lens if its dirty, dusty or damaged.
Continue to wear your lenses if your eyes don’t feel good, look good, or see well.
Re-use or top up solution – discard and replace with fresh solution each time the lenses are stored.
Decant solution into smaller containers.
Wear lenses left in the case for more than seven days without cleaning and storing them in fresh solution.
Sleep in your lenses unless specifically advised by your practitioner.
Wear any lenses overnight if you are unwell.
Use your lenses for swimming, hot tubs or water sports, unless you are wearing googles.
Wear your lenses when showering unless you keep your eyes firmly closed.
Switch the solution you use except on the advise of your practitioner.
Use any eye drops without advise from your contact lens practitioner.
Share contact lenses or wear lenses not specified by your practitioner.