Wearing colored contact lenses can be a fun and transformative way to enhance your look, but proper care is paramount for your eye health. Many people make common contact care mistakes that can lead to discomfort, irritation, or even serious eye infections. Understanding and avoiding these missteps is crucial for safe and enjoyable lens wear. For more on this, see our guide to 7 Colored Contact Care Habits of Long-Time Wearers.
Neglecting Hand Hygiene: The Foundation of Safe Lens Wear
Your hands are the primary contact point with your lenses and eyes, making hand hygiene the absolute first line of defense against contamination. Skipping or rushing this step is one of the most significant contact care mistakes you can make.
Washing Hands Improperly
It's not enough to simply rinse your hands. You must thoroughly wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring you clean between fingers, under nails, and the backs of your hands. Use a lint-free towel to dry them completely. Residual lint from paper towels or fabric can stick to your lenses and cause irritation.
Touching Lenses with Unclean Hands
Even if your hands look clean, they can harbor bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Any time you handle your lenses—inserting, removing, or even just adjusting them—your hands must be spotless. This minimizes the risk of transferring harmful microorganisms directly into your eye.
Mismanaging Contact Lens Cases: A Breeding Ground for Germs
Your contact lens case isn't just a holder; it's a vital part of your lens hygiene routine. Treating it casually is a common oversight that can have serious consequences.
Not Cleaning or Replacing Your Case Regularly
Many people rinse their case with water and call it good, or worse, don't clean it at all. After each use, empty the old solution, rub the case vigorously with fresh contact lens solution, rinse it with more fresh solution, and leave it open and upside down on a clean tissue to air dry. This prevents biofilm buildup. Even with diligent cleaning, lens cases should be replaced every three months at minimum, or sooner if they show signs of damage or wear. If you're weighing options, our roundup of How to Apply and Care for Your Colored Contact Lenses is a good next read.
Using Tap Water or Saliva
Never, under any circumstances, use tap water, distilled water, or saliva to rinse or store your contact lenses or case. Tap water contains microorganisms like Acanthamoeba, which can cause a rare but devastating eye infection. Saliva, while seemingly benign, is full of bacteria from your mouth that do not belong in your eyes.
"Topping Off" Old Solution
This is a particularly dangerous habit. "Topping off" means adding new solution to the old solution already in your lens case. The old solution has already been exposed to your lenses and environment, and its disinfectant properties diminish over time. Mixing new with old dilutes the fresh solution, rendering it less effective and creating a prime environment for bacteria to multiply. Always discard old solution and use fresh, sterile solution every single time you store your lenses.
Improper Lens Cleaning & Storage: Compromising Disinfection
The way you clean and store your lenses directly impacts their ability to stay sterile and comfortable. Skipping steps here can compromise the very purpose of your contact lens solution.
Not Rubbing and Rinsing Lenses (for Two-Week or Monthly Lenses)
For most reusable lenses (excluding some "no-rub" solutions, but even then, rubbing is often recommended by eye care professionals), the "rub and rinse" method is critical. After removing a lens, place it in the palm of your clean, dry hand, add a few drops of fresh solution, and gently rub it with your fingertip for 10-20 seconds. Then, rinse it thoroughly with more fresh solution before placing it in a clean case with fresh solution. This physical action dislodges debris and microorganisms that rinsing alone might miss.
Using Expired or Incompatible Solution
Contact lens solutions have expiration dates for a reason – their disinfecting properties degrade over time. Using expired solution means your lenses aren't being properly cleaned or disinfected. Similarly, always use the type of solution recommended by your eye care professional for your specific lenses. Different solutions have different formulations, and mixing or using incompatible types can cause irritation or damage to your lenses. You might also like our take on How to Avoid Dry Eyes While Wearing Colored Contacts.
Sleeping in Lenses (Even Dailies)
Unless your eye care professional has specifically prescribed extended-wear lenses that are approved for overnight wear, never sleep in your contact lenses. Even a short nap can significantly increase your risk of eye infections. When you sleep, your eyes don't get as much oxygen, and lenses can trap bacteria against the eye, leading to serious complications. This applies even to daily disposable lenses – they are designed for single-day use and must be removed before sleep.
Ignoring Prescription & Professional Advice: Your Eyes Deserve the Best
Colored contact lenses are medical devices, and their safe use is directly tied to professional guidance. Overlooking this is a grave error.
Wearing Lenses Without a Prescription
Purchasing colored contact lenses without a valid prescription from an eye care professional is illegal and extremely dangerous. A prescription ensures your lenses are the correct base curve, diameter, and power for your eyes. Ill-fitting lenses can scratch your cornea, restrict oxygen flow, and lead to pain, infection, and permanent vision damage. MyEyeColors strictly adheres to prescription requirements to ensure your safety and well-being.
Sharing Lenses
Never, ever share your contact lenses with anyone, even a close friend or family member. Lenses are custom-fitted medical devices and sharing them can transfer bacteria, viruses, and fungi, leading to severe eye infections for both individuals. Your eyes are unique, and so should be your lenses.
Overwearing Lenses
Each type of lens—daily, two-week, monthly—has a specific wear schedule. Wearing daily disposables for more than one day, or monthly lenses for longer than a month, starves your eyes of oxygen and allows protein and lipid deposits to build up. This increases the risk of discomfort, irritation, and serious eye conditions like corneal ulcers. We break this down further in 7 Mistakes People Make With Colored Contacts.
Ignoring Discomfort or Redness
Your eyes are excellent communicators. If you experience redness, irritation, excessive tearing, blurred vision, pain, or light sensitivity while wearing your lenses, remove them immediately. Do not try to "tough it out" or reinsert the lens if symptoms persist. Contact your eye care professional right away. These could be early signs of an infection or other serious problem.
Common Habits That Harm Your Eyes
Beyond the core cleaning routine, certain everyday habits can inadvertently put your eyes at risk when wearing contacts.
Swimming or Showering with Lenses
Just like tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans contain microorganisms that can attach to your lenses and cause severe infections. Always remove your lenses before swimming or showering. If you accidentally get water in your eyes while wearing lenses, remove and disinfect them immediately, or discard them if they are dailies.
Using Eye Drops Not Meant for Contacts
Not all eye drops are compatible with contact lenses. Some drops can interact with lens material, causing cloudiness, irritation, or even damage to the lens. Always use rewetting drops or lubricating drops specifically formulated for use with contact lenses, as recommended by your eye care professional.
Applying Makeup Before Lenses
Always insert your contact lenses before applying makeup. This prevents makeup particles, oils, or creams from getting onto your lenses, which can cause irritation or vision obstruction. Similarly, remove your lenses before removing makeup to avoid contamination. It pairs well with what we cover in Best Colored Contacts for All-Day Comfort.
MyEyeColors: Your Partner in Safe & Stylish Vision
At MyEyeColors, we believe that expressing yourself through vibrant colored contact lenses should always go hand-in-hand with uncompromising safety and comfort. We offer a wide range of high-quality, FDA-cleared colored contact lenses designed for various wear schedules, but remember, the ultimate responsibility for proper care lies with you. Always obtain a valid prescription from a licensed eye care professional before purchasing any contact lenses. Explore our stunning collection of colored contacts and find your perfect shade at MyEyeColors, knowing that we prioritize your eye health every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
- Always wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling lenses.
- Clean, rinse, and air-dry your lens case daily, replacing it every three months.
- Never use tap water, saliva, or "top off" old solution.
- Follow the prescribed wear schedule and never sleep in lenses unless specifically approved.
- Always get a professional fitting and prescription, and never share lenses.
- Remove lenses immediately if you experience any discomfort or irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use saline solution to clean my contact lenses?
No, saline solution is primarily for rinsing and rewetting, not for cleaning or disinfecting. It lacks the necessary disinfecting agents to kill harmful microorganisms. Always use a multi-purpose or hydrogen peroxide-based solution specifically designed for cleaning and disinfecting your lenses.
How often should I replace my contact lens solution?
You should discard and replace the solution in your contact lens case every single time you store your lenses, even if you just wore them for a short period. Never reuse or "top off" old solution.
What should I do if my eye feels irritated while wearing contacts?
If you experience any irritation, redness, pain, or blurred vision, remove your contact lenses immediately. If the symptoms persist after removal, or if you suspect an infection, contact your eye care professional without delay. Do not try to self-diagnose or treat the issue.
Is it okay to wear daily disposable lenses for more than one day?
No. Daily disposable lenses are designed for single-day use only. Their material is thinner and not intended for extended wear or re-cleaning. Reusing them significantly increases the risk of infection and discomfort. Always discard them after one use.
Can colored contact lenses damage my eyes?
When properly fitted by an eye care professional, used according to instructions, and cared for diligently, colored contact lenses are safe. However, improper use, lack of hygiene, or wearing lenses without a prescription can lead to serious eye health issues, including infections, corneal ulcers, and even permanent vision loss.
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