1. Always wash (with soap & water) and dry your hands before handling your lenses. This includes before your insert, remove or clean your lenses.
2. Only use contact lens cleaning solutions and wetting drops approved by your doctor. NEVER USE WATER on your lenses and NEVER place your lenses in your mouth or use saliva to wet them. This could cause a severe eye infection. We strongly advocate that our patients only use the solution that we have recommended, as it will be difficult to determine the problematic solution should a complication arise. Furthermore, some solutions are meant to be used differently (e.g. hydrogen peroxide based solutions) and can cause a lot of pain if used incorrectly.
3. For reusable lenses: Do not “top” up your lens case with solution. That is, you must always completely empty your lens case before you refill it with solution each and every time you store your lenses.
4. For reusable lenses: Rub and rinse your lens cases with solution and allow it to air-dry after each use. Replace your lens cases at least every 3 months.
5. Do not swim or shower while wearing your lenses. Among other problems, this puts you at risk for contracting a sight-threatening infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis.
6. Do not sleep in your contact lenses unless your eyes and lenses have been assessed by a doctor. Only specific lenses are approved for overnight wear and these lenses must be evaluated on an individual basis, as each person can react differently to them.
7. Wear and replace your lenses as prescribed by your doctor – do not over-wear them. Your doctor will inform you on how long your lenses can be worn each day and how frequently it must be replaced (e.g. monthly, daily, etc). Not adhering to these rules can compromise the integrity of the lenses and cause a variety of problems.
8. Quickly remove and refrain from wearing your lenses if your eye becomes painful, red, irritated or if your vision becomes blurry. Our doctors strongly recommend that contact lens wearers own a pair of spectacles that they can wear in such cases. Wearing lenses over irritated eyes will only further worsen the problem.
9. Do not share your lenses with others. Each person needs to be properly fitted with their own sets.
10. Make sure your eyes have been properly evaluated with your lenses. Even great quality lenses may not be great for everyone.