Tips For Hard And Soft Contact Lens Cleaning
Perhaps the biggest mistake that most contact lens wearers make is ignoring the cleaning requirements that are essential to both long lasting contacts as well as eye health.
If you use disposable one day or two day extended wear contacts you don't have to worry about cleaning, you just wear one pair, throw them away and pop in another clean pair based on the wearing and replacement schedule of the lenses you choose.
First, before you put in your first pair of daily wear hard or soft lenses it is essential to read the cleaning information provided in the package. Some lens manufacturers recommend specific cleaning solutions or brands and it is always a good idea to stay with the manufacturer's suggestions.
However, most cleaning and disinfecting contact solutions, as long as you stay with the same type, are interchangeable. If you aren't sure ask your optometrist or call the manufacturer of the contact lenses and get verification that you can use the product without damaging the contacts.
Soft Contact Lens Cleaning
Start by cleaning your sink area, rinsing out the sink itself and closing the stopper.
This will help in the event that the contact slides out of your fingers and ends up in the sink or the surrounding counter area.
Next, wash your hands thoroughly being sure to remove all soap and rinse any soapy residue from the sink area.
Remove one of your contacts and place in the centre of your palm, inside up and outside to the palm. Add two to four drops of a good quality multipurpose cleaning solution directly to the lens and rub gently using the index finger of the other hand.
Continue to rubbing motion for at least 30 seconds then rinse with more cleaning solution and store the lens in the case with saline solution or recommended cleaning solution. Never leave the lenses in a dry case or use regular tap water to attempt to clean the lens.
Hard contacts can likewise be washed with the same procedure, but you will have different solutions to consider.
Use a hard contact lens cleaning solution to rub the lens and then rinse with a saline solution or top water, then place the lens back into the storage case. Like the soft lenses it is essential to add moisture to the case but for hard contacts you will need a special additional solution.
Look for a hard contact conditioning solution that will preserve the lenses when they are in the case, even if it is just overnight.
Disinfecting contacts is also an important step to prevent bacterial growth and problems with irritated or infected eyes. Disinfecting solution is the storage solution for hard contacts, which also helps eliminate the risk of bacteria developing in the case itself.
It is essential to completely rinse the lenses before putting them in the eye if you use multipurpose cleanser solutions or if you use any type of enzyme tablet or disinfectant solution.
Saline solution is a good option and one that can also be used to rinse the contacts at any time during wear.
