How to Disinfect Colored Contacts Properly

Properly disinfecting your colored contacts is paramount for maintaining optimal eye health and clear vision. This essential daily routine involves carefully cleaning, rinsing, and storing your lenses in fresh, sterile solution every time you remove them, preventing harmful bacteria and debris from causing irritation or serious eye infections. For more on this, see our guide to How to Tell If Colored Contacts Fit Properly.

Why Proper Disinfection is Non-Negotiable for Your Eye Health

Your eyes are incredibly delicate, and contact lenses, including beautiful colored contacts from MyEyeColors, are medical devices that sit directly on their surface. Neglecting proper disinfection protocols creates a breeding ground for microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and amoebae. These can lead to uncomfortable and potentially vision-threatening conditions such as:

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Inflammation of the conjunctiva, often caused by bacterial or viral infections.
• Corneal Ulcers: Open sores on the cornea, which can be extremely painful and lead to permanent vision loss if untreated.
• Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, which can be infectious (bacterial, fungal, viral, amoebic) or non-infectious.
• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC): An allergic reaction to lens deposits, causing irritation and discomfort.

Every time you handle your lenses, you risk introducing contaminants. Disinfecting your contacts properly ensures that these potential threats are neutralized before the lenses are placed back into your eyes. Remember, colored contact lenses, while enhancing your natural beauty, require the same rigorous care as clear corrective lenses. Always prioritize your eye health by adhering to strict hygiene practices and consulting with an eye care professional for regular check-ups and prescriptions. If you're weighing options, our roundup of How to Tell When Your Colored Contacts Expire is a good next read.

Understanding Contact Lens Solutions: Your First Line of Defense

The type of contact lens solution you use is crucial for effective disinfection. Not all solutions are created equal, and using the wrong one or improvising can have severe consequences for your eyes.

Multipurpose vs. Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions

There are two primary categories of contact lens solutions:

• Multipurpose Solutions: These are the most common and convenient. As the name suggests, they can be used for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing your lenses. They contain disinfectants that kill microorganisms, surfactants to remove deposits, and wetting agents for comfort. Most colored contacts are compatible with multipurpose solutions.
• Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions: These systems offer a powerful disinfection method. They use hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and other pathogens. However, hydrogen peroxide must be neutralized before the lenses can be placed in your eyes, as direct contact with unneutralized peroxide can cause a painful burning sensation and corneal damage. These systems typically come with a special case that contains a catalytic disc or tablet to neutralize the peroxide over several hours.

Crucial Warning: Never, under any circumstances, use tap water, distilled water, saliva, or homemade solutions to clean or store your contact lenses. Tap water contains microorganisms, minerals, and chemicals that can lead to severe eye infections, including the rare but vision-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis. Saliva is full of bacteria that do not belong in your eyes. You might also like our take on 5 Signs Your Colored Contacts Don't Fit Right.

Choosing the Right Solution for You

The best solution for you depends on your specific needs, lens type, and eye sensitivities. Always consult with your eye care professional to determine which solution is most appropriate. They can recommend a brand and type that works best with your MyEyeColors lenses and your unique eye chemistry, minimizing irritation and ensuring effective disinfection.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Disinfect Contacts Properly

Adhering to a consistent and correct routine for how to disinfect contacts is the cornerstone of safe contact lens wear. Follow these steps meticulously every time you remove your lenses.

Preparation is Key

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Before touching your lenses or lens case, wash your hands with mild soap and water. Rinse them completely and dry them with a lint-free towel. This is the single most important step to prevent transferring germs to your eyes.
2. Gather Your Supplies: Have your contact lens case, fresh contact lens solution (never use old or "topped-off" solution), and your lenses ready.
3. Work on a Clean Surface: Ensure the area where you'll be handling your lenses is clean and dry.

Daily Cleaning and Rinsing (Using Multipurpose Solution)

This method applies to most colored contact lenses, including those from MyEyeColors, designed for daily or extended wear (if approved by your eye doctor). We break this down further in 7 Colored Contact Care Habits of Long-Time Wearers.

1. Remove One Lens: Start with the same eye every time (e.g., always the right eye first) to avoid mixing up your lenses if your prescriptions differ.
2. Place in Palm: Place the removed lens in the palm of your clean, dry hand.
3. Apply Solution: Apply a few drops of fresh multipurpose solution onto the lens.
4. Gently Rub: Using your fingertip (typically the pad of your index finger), gently rub the lens in a back-and-forth motion for about 10-20 seconds. This physical rubbing action is vital for dislodging protein deposits, lipids, and debris that accumulate on the lens surface. Do not rub too hard, as this can damage the lens.
5. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the lens with a steady stream of fresh multipurpose solution for several seconds to wash away loosened debris.
6. Place in Clean Case: Place the clean, rinsed lens into the appropriate well of your clean contact lens case.
7. Fill with Fresh Solution: Fill the lens case well with fresh, sterile multipurpose solution, ensuring the lens is fully submerged. Never "top off" old solution with new solution.
8. Repeat for Other Lens: Repeat the entire process for your other eye.
9. Soak Overnight: Close the lens case tightly and allow the lenses to soak for the minimum recommended time, usually at least 4-6 hours, or overnight, as specified by your solution's instructions. This allows the disinfectants to work effectively.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide Systems (If Applicable)

If your eye care professional has recommended a hydrogen peroxide system, follow these general steps:

1. Wash Hands: As always, wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
2. Place Lenses in Basket: Remove your lenses and place them into the designated baskets or holders within the special hydrogen peroxide lens case.
3. Fill with Peroxide Solution: Fill the case with the hydrogen peroxide solution up to the marked line.
4. Soak for Neutralization: Place the lens basket into the case and close it. The lenses must soak for the full recommended neutralization time (usually 6 hours or overnight) to ensure the hydrogen peroxide is completely converted into a harmless saline solution.
5. Never Rinse with Peroxide: Do NOT rinse your lenses directly with hydrogen peroxide solution before putting them in your eyes. This will cause severe stinging and potential eye damage.

Always refer to the specific instructions provided with your hydrogen peroxide solution and consult your eye care professional if you have any questions. This method is highly effective for disinfection but requires strict adherence to its unique protocol.

Maintaining Your Contact Lens Case: Often Overlooked, Always Important

Your contact lens case is an integral part of your disinfection routine. A dirty case can reintroduce bacteria to your freshly cleaned lenses, defeating the purpose of disinfection. Think of it as the 'home' for your lenses – it needs to be clean too! It pairs well with what we cover in Are Colored Contacts Safe to Wear.

1. Empty Old Solution: Every morning after inserting your lenses, empty out all the old solution from the case.
2. Rinse the Case: Rinse the empty lens case with fresh, sterile contact lens solution (never tap water).
3. Air Dry: Leave the case open and upside down on a clean tissue or paper towel to air dry. This prevents moisture from lingering and inhibits bacterial growth.
4. Replace Regularly: The most crucial step is to replace your lens case frequently. Over time, biofilm (a sticky layer of microorganisms) can build up on the plastic, becoming resistant to disinfection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Disinfecting Your Lenses

Even with the best intentions, it's easy to fall into bad habits. Avoiding these common mistakes is vital for maintaining healthy eyes while enjoying your MyEyeColors lenses:

• "Topping Off" Solution: Never add fresh solution to old solution already in the case. The old solution has reduced disinfecting power and may contain accumulated debris and microorganisms. Always discard old solution and use fresh solution every time.
• Using Tap Water or Saliva: As mentioned, these are absolute no-gos. They contain dangerous microbes that can cause severe eye infections. Stick to sterile, approved contact lens solutions.
• Extending Wear Beyond Recommended Schedule: Wearing daily disposables for multiple days or monthly lenses for longer than a month significantly increases the risk of complications, even with proper disinfection. Adhere strictly to the replacement schedule prescribed by your eye care professional.
• Sleeping in Lenses (Unless Approved): Most colored contacts are not designed for overnight wear. Sleeping in lenses not approved for extended wear drastically increases your risk of infection and oxygen deprivation to the cornea. Always remove and disinfect your lenses before sleep.
• Sharing Lenses: Never, ever share your contact lenses, even for a moment. This is a direct way to transmit bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, leading to serious eye infections. Your colored contacts are a personal medical device.
• Ignoring Expiration Dates: Both contact lenses and contact lens solutions have expiration dates. Using expired products can compromise their effectiveness and safety.
• Rubbing Lenses Incorrectly or Not At All: The "rub and rinse" method is crucial for physical removal of deposits. Skipping the rubbing step, even with "no-rub" solutions (which still benefit from rubbing), reduces cleaning effectiveness.

When to Seek Professional Advice

Despite your best efforts to disinfect contacts properly, eye issues can sometimes arise. If you experience any of the following symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and contact your eye care professional:

• Persistent redness or irritation
• Unusual discharge from your eye
• Excessive tearing
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Pain or discomfort in your eye