How To Clean Soft Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are medical devices that help correct vision problems and must be treated with care. Since, they are in direct contact with eyes, the chances of an infection are higher, especially, if the lenses come in contact with dirt or bacteria. If your contact lenses make your eyes itch constantly, make sure not to wear them until you have cleaned them properly. Knowing how to clean your contact lenses is really important for the health and comfort of your eyes.

How to properly clean your lenses?

Except for daily disposable lenses, soft contact lenses should be cleaned daily or whenever removed for extended time.

1. Surface-active cleaner

   Make sure to gently rub each lens with a few drops of surface-active cleaner. Rub the lenses by placing it between the index finger and the palm of your hand for 20 to 30 seconds. This will remove fatty deposits from the lens.

2. Enzymatic cleaner

   Enzymatic cleaners remove protein deposits. You can use this cleaner daily or weekly, as per your optician’s advice. Make sure to clean the lens with surface-active cleaner prior using the enzymatic cleaner. This makes the enzymatic cleaner more effective. Disposable lens may not need enzymatic cleaning.

3. Disinfect

   You must disinfect lens before reusing them. This removes bacteria that may harm the eyes, causing permanent damage or blindness.

• In Thermal disinfection, lenses are stored in saline and a heating device to clean them properly.
• Cold disinfection is more common and involves use of solutions that kill bacteria.

Make sure to read the label to find out how long contact lenses should be soaked in disinfectant.

Tips for safe wearing of soft contact lenses

Regardless of the products you choose, these tips will help ensure safe wearing of your lenses.

• Wash your hands properly with soap and water before handling your lenses.
• Don’t “top off” solution in your lens case. Rinse and replace the solution every time you store your lenses.
• Make sure to replace your lens case at least once in every three months.
• Never rinse your lenses in tap water or any other household solution.
• Gently rub your lenses to remove build-up (deposits) and bacteria, even if a solution says “no rub.”
• See your eye doctor if you experience pain, redness, swelling, blurry vision, discharge, or swelling after wearing lenses.