Soft Contact Lens Care

Always clean your hands with mild hand soap (preferably free of any lotions or harsh chemicals) and wipe dry with a clean lint-free cloth/paper towel
Avoid using any lotions, putting on makeup, or use any other products on your hands or eye area

Make sure to always use the fleshy part of your fingers to handle the lenses to prevent damaging the contact lenses or your eyes.
We recommend putting in and taking out your right lens first – make it a habit so you don’t mix up which lens goes in which eye.

Place the lens on the tip of your forefinger – inspect to make the lens is clean, moist, and does not have any debris, nicks or tears. If the lens is damaged – throw it away and open a new one. If you need to rinse the lenses, use sterile saline or multipurpose solution. DO NOT USE TAP WATER.
Make sure the lens is oriented correctly – if the edges flare out, it is inside out. The lens should sit like a curved bowl as shown in the picture.

Use your middle finger of the same hand to gently pull down the lower lid. Place the forefinger or middle finger of the other hand to lift the upper lid.
Gently place the lens on the eye.
Release your hands and slowly close your eyes. If needed, close your eyes and gently massage your lid to help the lens settle into place.

First look in the mirror to ensure the lens is still in place and on the eye.
Gently place your forefinger on the contact lens, look up, and slide it to the lower white part of your eye away from the cornea.
Gently pinch the lens between the flesh of your thumb and forefinger to remove the lens.
If your contact lenses are sticking to your eye or dry before removal, place a few rewetting drops in prior to removal.

After removing your contact lenses, place it in the palm of your hand with a few drops of cleaning solution. Use the fleshy part of your finger of the other hand to gently rub in a circular motion for 10 seconds to remove surface debris.
Place the lenses in a clean case, ensuring there is enough solution to submerge the lenses.
If using peroxide solutions (bottles will have a red tip), do NOT put the solution directly in your eyes, and wait at least 6 hours for it to fully neutralize before reinserting your lenses.
Do not top off, or reuse your cleaning solution – this will not properly clean your contact lenses.
Replace your contact lens case every 3 months. In between replacements, rinse your case with solution and store the case upside down on a clean towel to dry.
Keep your contact lens case capped even when your lenses are not inside.

Replace your contact lenses regularly as directed by your doctor.
Ask us if you have any questions about the comfort, vision, or care of your lenses.
Throw away and replace the lenses if they become dehydrated, nicked, or are irritating to your eyes.
Have a back up pair of glasses in case your eyes need a break from contact lens wear.
Put on makeup AFTER inserting your lenses, and remove your make up AFTER removing the lenses.
Discuss with your doctor if you would like to sleep in your contact lenses. Not all contact lenses are approved for overnight wear.

Don’t wear your contact lenses if your eyes are feeling irritated, look red, or are in pain. Call your doctor if these symptoms occur.
Don’t use tap water, saliva, or other solutions other than what your doctor recommends to clean or lubricate your lenses
Don’t sleep in your contact lenses after you have been swimming. Ask about daily disposable contact lenses with your doctor if you would like to swim in your contact lenses.

EyeCare of Denton