Lens Care & Handling Instructions

It is important to have a good understanding of lens care. The improper care of your contact lenses can lead to a variety of eye infections, even some with the risk of causing blindness.

Fortunately, caring for your contact lenses is easy. Disposable lenses and one-bottle care systems are available to save you both time and expense. Be sure to consult one of our doctors before changing to a new lens care regimen, as some products may not be compatible with each other or your particular type of lens.

The Basics: Clean, Rinse And Disinfect

1. Wash your hands with a non-moisturizing soap, and dry with a lint-free towel.

2. Remove one lens and clean it with the recommended solution. Rub the lens in the palm of your hand with a few drops of solution.

3. Rinse the lens again to remove the loosened debris. Carefully perform the recommended amount of rinsing specific to the solution your are using.

4. Place the lens in your clean lens case, which has been emptied completely and filled with fresh solution.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other lens.

6. Follow device instructions for disinfecting to kill microorganisms on the lens.

Contact Lens Care Products

Saline Solution

Saline solution is used to rinse and store your contact lenses. It may also be used with enzymatic cleaning tablets to remove protein buildup from the lenses. Never use saline products for cleaning and disinfection.

Daily Cleaner

Use a daily cleaner solution to clean your contact lenses. This usually involves placing a few drops in the palm of your hand and carefully rubbing the lens on each side for approximately 20 seconds.

Multipurpose Solution

Multipurpose solution is a convenient one-bottle alternative that can be used for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and storing your contact lenses.

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

This is another popular one-bottle solution alternative that can be used for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and storing your contact lenses. It requires an additional step to neutralize the hydrogen peroxide prior to wearing the contact lens to avoid a painful chemical injury to your eye. Some lens holders for this type of system have a built-in neutralizer, with others you will need to add a neutralizing tablet prior to contact lens wear.

Cleaning/Disinfecting Devices

Depending on the type of device used, cleaning is accomplished with either ultrasonic waves or subsonic agitation.Then disinfection occurs through the use of a multipurpose solution or ultraviolet light.

Enzymatic Tablets

Enzymatic tablets can be used on a weekly basis for removing protein buildup from your contact lenses. After the lenses have been cleansed, the tablets are added to some saline solution or disinfecting solution. Once the tablet has dissolved, the lenses are added and left to soak for a required amount of time. Afterwards, the lenses are disinfected as usual. Some enzymatic cleaners may allow you to skip the disinfection step depending on the solution used.

Daily protein remover

This solution also can be used to remove protein from your lenses on a daily basis during disinfection with a multipurpose solution.

Eye drops

Be sure to use eye drops specifically made for use with contact lenses to lubricate your eyes. Eye drops that aren’t meant for use with lenses can temporarily alter the fit or discolor them.

Products for sensitive eyes

An allergy to the products you are using can occur suddenly, sometimes even after years of use. Please contact one of our eye doctors if you begin to experience any of the following symptoms, as they can have a variety of causes:

• Itching or burning sensation

• Redness

• Excessive tearing

• Eye discharge

Preservative-free lens care products are available for those who have an allergy to some preservatives, such as thimerosal. Pay close attention to the expiration dates on your contact lens care products, especially preservative-free solutions, to reduce the risk of contamination.

Additional Contact Lens Care Tips

• For your comfort and safety, clean and disinfect your contact lenses daily. Extended wear lenses, if not disposable, need to be cleaned and disinfected as soon as you remove them.

• Always consult with your eye doctor prior to changing your contact lens care regimen to ensure all products are compatible.

• Touching the tip of your solution bottle to any surface (including your skin) can contaminate the solution.

• Avoid contact between tap water and your lenses, containers, and devices. Tap water can carry a microorganism called Acanthamoeba that causes serious eye infections.

• Follow directions carefully when cleaning your contact lens regimen containers and disinfecting devices, some systems suggest replacing your contact lens case monthly.

Contact Lens Brands