If you wear contact lenses, you’re likely familiar with how much they can impact your quality of life. But wearing them comes with some risks, like infections, abrasions, and eye dryness.

Have you ever considered that you might be making mistakes with your contact lens care routines? Missing out on certain tips or tricks can cost you serious discomfort down the line, not to mention the fear of eye infections and preventable scarring.

If you’re wondering how to avoid common contact lens care mistakes, keep reading! We’re giving you our tips and tricks for ensuring your contact lens hygiene and comfort for years to come.

1. Don’t Re-wear Your Contacts Without Thoroughly Cleaning Them

Wearing contact lenses is a convenient way to correct your vision. Always clean your lenses before putting them back in your eyes. This can lead to eye infections and other serious problems.

Another common mistake is not cleaning your hands before handling your lenses. This can transfer dirt and bacteria to your lenses and cause eye irritation.

2. Avoid Swimming or Using Hot Tubs While Wearing Contacts

Avoid swimming or using hot tubs while wearing contact lenses. This is because the water can contain bacteria that can cause infections.

In addition, hot water can cause the lenses to dry out and become uncomfortable. If you must swim or use a hot tub, be sure to remove your lenses first and clean them thoroughly afterward.

3. Don’t Sleep in Your Contacts

Wearing contact lenses is one of the worst things you can do for your eyes. It increases your risk of developing corneal ulcers and other serious infections. If you must sleep in your contacts, be sure to clean them thoroughly before bed and follow all of your doctor’s instructions for care.

If you are someone known to forget your contacts being in, you should invest in extended wear contact lenses.

4. Don’t Let Your Contacts Dry Out

One of the most important things to remember when caring for your contact lenses is to avoid letting them dry out. This can happen if you forget to rinse them after cleaning, or if you leave them in your case for too long between uses. If your lenses do dry out, they can become uncomfortable and even painful to wear.

To avoid this, be sure to rinse your lenses thoroughly after cleaning them, and store them in a moisture-rich contact lens storage.

5. Don’t Use Water or Saline Solution to Clean Your Contacts

One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to contact lens care is using water or saline solution to clean their contacts. This can cause irritation, infection, and even corneal damage. Instead, use a contact lens solution specifically designed for cleaning contacts.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle, and never reuse the solution.

6. Rubbing Your Eyes is a No-No

This can cause the lens to move out of place and irritate your eye. It can also cause the lens to tear or break. If you must rub your eyes, be sure to do it gently and not with your contact lens in.

Avoid These Contact Lens Care Mistakes

If you wear contact lenses, it is important to take care of them properly. The most common contact lens care mistakes are that people do not clean their lenses regularly, not storing them properly, and not replacing them often enough.

By following some simple tips, you can avoid these mistakes and keep your lenses clean and healthy.

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