Contact lenses are becoming popular because they are easy to find, can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and can even be used for fashion purposes. However, contact lenses are also very close to your eyes, which are important organs. Therefore, it is important to take care of and clean them properly. Here is a checklist for cleaning your contact lenses and contact lens case:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
Before touching your contact lenses, always wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of germs. Simply wash your hands with soap and water, making sure to clean all surfaces. Don't forget to dry your hands completely.
2. Use only contact lens solution.
You should only use contact lens solution to clean your contact lenses. Do not use tap water or saline solution, as these will not remove protein deposits and bacteria from the lenses. There are two main types of contact lens solution:
- Multipurpose solution: This type of solution can be used to clean, soak, and remove protein deposits. It is the most popular type of solution because it is easy to use. However, it can leave behind some dirt, so you will need to rub your lenses gently to remove it completely.
- Hydrogen peroxide solution: This type of solution is very effective at cleaning, but it is important to use it carefully. You must soak your lenses for the required amount of time and then rinse them with saline solution before wearing them. Otherwise, your eyes will become irritated.
3. Clean your contact lenses in three steps.
The cleaning process for contact lenses can be divided into three steps:
- Cleaning: Start by placing your contact lens on the palm of your hand. Then, add contact lens solution to the front and back of the lens and use your index finger to rub the lens gently for about 20 seconds.
- Rinsing: Rinse the dirt off the lens by spraying it with contact lens solution.
- Sterilization: Soak the contact lens in contact lens solution in a clean case for the amount of time recommended on the label.
4. Don't forget to clean your contact lens case.
The contact lens case is just as important as the lenses themselves. Before soaking your lenses, always clean the case with contact lens solution. Scrub it thoroughly, rinse it with contact lens solution, and let it air dry. Also, be sure to empty the solution after each use and replace the case regularly every 1-3 months to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria that could contaminate your lenses.
Finding contact lenses to wear may be easy, but cleaning them must be done meticulously. If you do not clean them properly or you do it incorrectly, you could get a serious eye infection. We hope this checklist will help you make wearing contact lenses easier and safer.
