Contact lenses offer incredible freedom, but they are medical devices that sit directly on your eyes. Proper hygiene isn't just a suggestion—it's the single most important factor in preventing discomfort and serious, vision-threatening infections.
The First Rule: Master the Hand Wash
Before
a lens ever touches your eye, your hands must be impeccably clean. This is a non-negotiable step. According to the CDC, proper handwashing is a critical defence against infection. Start by wetting your hands with clean, running water and applying a simple, fragrance-free soap. Lather your hands thoroughly, making sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails for at least 20 seconds—about the time it takes to hum 'Happy Birthday' twice. Just as important as washing is drying. Use a clean, lint-free towel to dry your hands completely. A damp hand can still transfer germs, and towel lint can stick to your lens and cause irritation all day. This simple routine drastically reduces the risk of transferring harmful microbes from your fingers to your lenses and, ultimately, to your eyes.
Water: The Hidden Enemy of Contact Lenses
It may seem harmless, but water is one of the biggest threats to a contact lens wearer's eye health. Tap water, bottled water, and even distilled water are not sterile. They all can contain a dangerous, microscopic organism called Acanthamoeba. This amoeba is common in soil and almost all bodies of water, from lakes and oceans to swimming pools, hot tubs, and your own shower. While it rarely harms humans, it can cause a severe and extremely painful eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis if it gets trapped behind a contact lens. Contact lenses can create tiny, microscopic scratches on the cornea, giving the amoeba an entry point to infect the eye. This condition can lead to permanent vision impairment or even blindness. This is why the FDA and CDC unequivocally state that contact lenses should never be exposed to any type of water.
No Lenses in the Shower or Pool
The 'no water' rule extends to all activities. You should always remove your contact lenses before showering, bathing, using a hot tub, or swimming. Shower water can cause soft lenses to absorb the moisture, making them swell and change shape. This can cause discomfort, blurry vision, and make the lens stick to your eye, potentially scratching the cornea when you try to remove it. More importantly, it exposes your eyes directly to any microorganisms in the water. If you accidentally wear your lenses in the shower, the best practice is to remove them as soon as you get out, and if they are reusable, clean and disinfect them thoroughly before wearing them again. For daily disposables, simply throw them away and use a fresh pair. When swimming, the only safe way to wear contacts is by using tight-fitting, waterproof swimming goggles to create a reliable seal.
Don't Forget Your Lens Case
A dirty lens case can contaminate your clean lenses just as easily as unwashed hands. Your case should be cleaned daily. After putting your lenses in, discard all the old solution—never top it off. Rinse the case and its caps thoroughly with fresh contact lens solution, not water. Then, wipe it dry with a clean tissue or let it air-dry upside down with the caps off on a clean surface. This prevents a slimy biofilm of bacteria from forming. Even with perfect daily care, you should replace your contact lens case at least every three months. Most new bottles of solution come with a fresh case, providing an easy reminder to make the switch.
