When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a comfortable and convenient way to work, play, and live for the 45 million people in the U.S. who wear them. While contact lenses are usually a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely risk-free—especially if they are not cared for properly. Contact lenses are medical devices, and failure to wear, clean, and store them as directed can increase the risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis. To reap the benefits of wearing contact lenses, it is essential to practice healthy habits. Remember: Healthy Habits = Healthy Eyes.

Who Uses Contact Lenses

• An estimated 45 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses.
• Two-thirds of contact lens wearers are female.
• The average age of contact lens wearers worldwide is 31 years old.
• An estimated 8% of contact lens wearers are under 18 years old, 17% are between ages 18-24, and 75% of adults age 25 and older wear contacts.

Contact Lenses in the U.S.

• Contact lenses are medical devices and are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
• Rigid, or hard, contact lenses made from plastic were first produced in the U.S. between 1938-1940.
• Soft contact lenses were first introduced to the U.S. in 1971.
• Ninety percent of contact lens wearers use soft contact lenses.

Benefits of Contact Lens Use

• People can use many different methods to improve their vision, and no single method is the best solution for everyone. Contact lenses are one of several effective options.
• Contact lenses can help people see better without affecting their appearance or interfering with many sports and activities.
• Some children and teens report feeling dramatically better about their appearance when wearing contact lenses.
• Compared to wearing glasses, children switching to contact lenses reported significant improvements in the areas of perceived appearance, participation in activities, and satisfaction with vision correction.
• Specially designed contact lenses can improve the ability to focus and temporarily reduce poor distance vision (near-sightedness) in certain contact lens wearers.

Complications & Risk Factors

• Serious eye infections that can lead to blindness affect up to 1 out of every 500 contact lens users per year.
• Not following proper contact lens care instructions has been linked to outbreaks of serious eye infections.
• Between 40%-90% of contact lens wearers do not properly follow the care instructions for their contact lenses.
• Approximately 99% of respondents reported at least one contact lens hygiene behavior previously associated with an increased risk of eye infection or inflammation.
• Improper cleaning and irregular replacement of contact lenses and contact lens cases—as well as other behaviors relating to contact lens hygiene and care—have been linked to a higher risk of complications.
• Keratitis—a painful eye infection often linked to improper contact lens use—leads to 1 million doctor and hospital visits annually, at a cost of $175 million to the US healthcare system.

Prevention

Keep your eyes healthy while wearing contact lenses by following these tips, and always be sure to carry a pair of glasses with you—just in case you have to take out your contact lenses.

What are contact lenses?

Contact lenses are thin lenses that sit on top of the cornea (the clear outer layer of the eye). They correct refractive errors to make your vision clearer — just like eyeglasses.

About 45 million Americans wear contact lenses. If you use them the right way, they can be a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses.

If you have a refractive error, like being nearsighted or farsighted, your eye doctor can prescribe contact lenses to help you see clearly.

What are the different types of contact lenses?

When you’re choosing contact lenses, there are 3 main things to know: whether they’re soft or hard, how long you can wear them, and how often you need to replace them.

Soft or hard

• Soft contact lenses are much more common than hard lenses. Because they’re soft and flexible, they can be more comfortable and easier to get used to.
• Hard contact lenses can make your vision crisper than soft lenses, and they’re less likely to tear. But they may take longer to get used to, and they can be harder to clean and take care of than soft lenses.

Daily wear or extended wear

• You keep daily wear contact lenses in all day and take them out at night. You need to clean and disinfect daily lenses every night. It’s not safe to sleep in daily lenses — it can put you at risk for serious eye infections.
• You can leave extended wear contact lenses in overnight. Depending on the brand, you can wear them for as long as 30 days and nights before taking them out. Extended wear lenses can be convenient — but they may also make it more likely that you’ll get a serious eye infection.

Single use or reusable

• You wear single-use contact lenses for one day, then throw them away at night. The next day, you put in a brand new pair. You don’t need to clean or disinfect single-use lenses.
• You take reusable contact lenses out at night, clean them, and wear them again the next day. Depending on the brand, you’ll need to replace them with a new pair after 7 to 30 days.

Some less common types of contact lenses fix specific vision problems or treat eye conditions.

Keep contacts away from water

Water — even the tap water you drink — has germs in it that can harm your eyes. To keep your eyes safe:

• Never use water to clean or store contact lenses
• Take out your contacts before you shower, swim, or go in a bath or hot tub
• If water gets on your contacts, throw them away or disinfect them overnight in contact lens solution

What are the benefits of contact lenses?

Some people prefer to wear contacts instead of eyeglasses.

Contacts stay in place and improve peripheral (side) vision, so they can be easier to wear when being active or playing sports. They don’t fog up the way glasses do, so they may also be more convenient for people who work or spend a lot of time outdoors in cold weather — or indoors in places that are very cold, like a walk-in refrigerator or freezer.

If you wear contacts, you can wear non-prescription sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. You can also wear contacts with UV protection built into the lenses.

What are the risks of contact lenses?

Contact lenses are not risk-free. If you don’t use them the right way, you can get serious eye conditions, including corneal ulcers (sores) and infections.

You can lower your risk by:

• Disinfecting and storing your contacts correctly — every time
• Only wearing your contacts for the amount of time your doctor recommends
• Taking out your contacts before you shower, swim, or go in a bath or hot tub

When to get help

Take out your contacts if you have any of these symptoms:

• Eye pain
• Red eyes
• Light sensitivity (when light hurts your eyes)
• Sudden blurry vision
• Unusually watery eyes
• Discharge (unusual fluid leaking out of your eyes)

If the symptoms don’t go away or they get worse, call your eye doctor.

How do I take care of my contact lenses?

Most people use multipurpose contact lens solution to clean, disinfect, and store their contact lenses. Follow these steps to keep your contacts — and your eyes — clean and safe.

Every time you take out your lenses:

• Rub and rinse them with contact lens solution
• Store them in fresh solution in your contact lens storage case

Every time you put your lenses in your eyes:

• Rub and rinse the case with fresh solution
• Dump out the solution and dry the case with a clean tissue
• Store the case upside down on a clean tissue — leave the case open with the caps off

Some people use different systems to take care of their contacts. Talk to your eye doctor about which lens care system is right for you.

Tips for taking care of contacts

• Wash and dry your hands before you touch your contacts
• Always use contact lens solution to clean, rinse, and store contacts — never use water or saliva
• Never “top off” solution in your lens case (mix old and new solution together) — use fresh solution each time
• Replace your lens case at least once every 3 months

How do I get contact lenses?

Your eye doctor can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as part of a dilated eye exam. The exam is simple and painless. Your doctor will ask you to read letters that are up close and far away. Then, they’ll give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and check for other eye problems.

If you want to use contact lenses, your eye doctor will also put some trial lenses on your eyes to see how they fit and test your vision while wearing the lenses.

If you wear contacts, get an eye exam at least once a year — that way your eye doctor can make sure you’re still seeing clearly.

Approximately 40 million Americans wear contact lenses. In addition to offering flexibility, convenience, and a “no-glasses” appearance, contacts help correct a variety of vision disorders, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and poor focusing with reading material.

But contact lenses also present potential risks. Contact lenses are worn directly on your eyes and can lead to serious eye infections and corneal ulcers (sores) if you don’t care for the lenses properly—and if you don’t wear them properly. In rare cases, these conditions can lead to blindness.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates contact lenses and certain contact lens care products as medical devices. Best strategies for reducing your risk of infection involve proper hygiene; following recommended wearing schedules; using proper lens care practices for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your lenses (which includes reading and following all product labeling instructions); and having routine eye exams.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates device advertising and marketing practices that cause or are likely to cause substantial consumer injury.

Types of Contact Lenses

General categories

• Soft contact lenses. These are made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. Users get used to wearing them within several days. Most soft-contact wearers are prescribed with some type of frequent replacement schedule. An example of this is a schedule that calls for the lenses to be replaced with new ones after two weeks of use.
• Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. These products are durable, resist deposit buildup, and generally allow for clear, crisp vision. They last longer than soft contacts, and also are easier to handle and less likely to tear.

Specific types

• Extended wear contacts. These are good for overnight or continuous wear ranging from one to six nights, or up to 30 days. They can be either soft or rigid gas permeable lenses. It’s important for your eyes to have a rest without lenses for at least one night following each scheduled removal.
• Disposable (or “replacement schedule”) contacts. As defined by the FDA, “disposable” means used once and discarded. With a true daily-wear disposable schedule, a brand new pair of lenses is used each day. However, some soft contacts referred to as “disposable” by sellers are actually daily wear lenses used for up to two weeks before being discarded.
• Lenses designed for “Ortho-K.” Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a lens-fitting procedure that uses specially designed RGP contact lenses to change the curvature of the cornea to temporarily improve the eye’s ability to focus. It’s primarily used for the correction of nearsightedness. The most common type is overnight Ortho-K, and the FDA requires that eye care professionals be trained and certified before using these lenses in their practices.
• Decorative contacts (also called “costume,” colored,” “fashion,” or “plano” contacts). The FDA has often warned people about the serious risks (including eye infection and blindness) associated with wearing these lenses without a prescription and the appropriate professional involvement. These lenses don’t correct vision and are intended solely to change the appearance of the eye. If you want to wear these contacts, get a valid prescription (see the section below). You need a prescription even if you have perfect vision. And find more safety tips on FDA’s website.

The Need for a Prescription

You should have a prescription for any contact lenses, as contact lenses are not “one size fits all.” When you get an eye exam, you have the right to get a copy of your prescription.

Per FTC regulations, a prescription should contain sufficient information for a seller to completely and accurately fill the prescription: examination date; date you received the prescription after a contact lens fitting; expiration date; and the name, address, phone and fax number of the prescribing professional.

The prescription should also offer information about material and/or manufacturer, base curve or appropriate designation, and diameter (when appropriate) of the prescribed contact lens.

Tips for Buying

With a valid prescription, it is possible to purchase contact lenses from pharmacies, optical retailers, and online optical retailers. But be extremely cautious when buying contacts from someone other than your eye care professional.

Contact lenses are NOT over-the-counter (OTC) devices. Companies that sell them as such are misbranding the device and violating FTC regulations by selling contact lenses without having your prescription.

Also keep the following tips in mind:

• Make sure your prescription is current. Don’t order with an expired prescription, and don’t stock up on lenses right before the prescription is about to expire. If you haven’t had your eyes checked within the last year or two, you may have eye problems that you are not aware of, or your lenses may not correct your vision well. (The expiration date for your prescription is typically set by your state, which may require renewal in one or two years. If your state has not set a prescription expiration date then, by federal regulation, your contact lens prescription expires not less than one year after the prescription’s issue date. A prescriber may set a prescription date shorter than one year if the prescriber documents in your record the medical reasons justifying a shorter expiration date.)
• Order from a supplier that you are familiar with and know is reliable. Reliable suppliers always require a valid, up-to-date prescription from your eye care provider. Talk to your eye care provider if you have questions or need a recommendation.
• Request the manufacturer’s written patient instructions for use for your contact lenses. It will give you important risk/benefit information and instructions for use.
• Make sure that you get the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder (if any), axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curves (if any) noted on the prescription. If you think you’ve received an incorrect lens or brand, check with your eye care professional. (The correct brand is important because there are differences in the water content and shape among the brands.) Don’t accept any substitution unless your eye care professional approves it.

How to Avoid Infection or Injury

Contact lens users run the risk of infections such as pink eye (conjunctivitis), corneal abrasions, and eye irritation. A common result of eye infection is corneal ulcers, which are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea. Many of these complications can be avoided through everyday care of the eye and contact lenses.

To reduce your chances of infection:

• In general, if you’re using multipurpose contact lens solution, replace your contact lens storage case at least every 3 months or as directed by your eye care provider. If you’re using contact lens solution that contains hydrogen peroxide, always use the new contact lens case that comes with each box—and follow all directions that are included on or inside the packaging.
• Clean and disinfect your lenses properly. When using contact lens solution, read and follow all instructions on the product label to avoid eye injury. This is particularly important if your eye care professional has recommended a solution with hydrogen peroxide, as these solutions require special care.
• Always remove contact lenses before swimming.
• Never reuse any lens solution. Always discard all of the used solution after each use, and add fresh solution to your lens case.
• Do not expose your contacts to any water (which includes lake, pond, and ocean water as well as distilled water, tap water, and homemade saline solution) because it can be a source of microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections. (Contact lens solution is sold in “sterile” containers, which means it is free from living germs or microorganisms.)
• Never put your lenses in your mouth or put saliva on your lenses. Saliva is not sterile.
• Never transfer contact lens solutions into smaller travel size containers. These containers are not sterile, and unsterile solution can damage your eyes.
• Do not wear contact lenses overnight unless your eye care provider has prescribed them to be worn that way. Any lenses worn overnight increase your risk of infection. Wearing contact lenses overnight can stress the cornea by reducing the amount of oxygen to the eye. They can also cause microscopic damage to the surface of the cornea, making it more susceptible to infection.
• Never ignore symptoms of eye irritation or infection that may be associated with wearing contact lenses. These symptoms include discomfort, excess tearing or other discharge, unusual sensitivity to light, itching, burning, gritty feelings, unusual redness, blurred vision, swelling, or pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and keep them off. Contact your eye care professional immediately. Keep the lenses, because they may help your eye care professional determine the cause of your symptoms.

Wouldn’t it be cool to have vampire eyes for Halloween? Or deep violet eyes to match your purple sweater? How about your favorite sports team’s logo on your eyes just for fun?

You can have all of these looks with decorative contact lenses (sometimes called “fashion,” “costume,” or “colored” contact lenses). These lenses don’t correct vision—they just change how your eyes look.

But you need a prescription to avoid eye injury. Before buying decorative lenses, here’s what you should know.

They are not cosmetics or over-the-counter merchandise. They are medical devices regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them over-the-counter, without a prescription, are breaking the law.

They are not “one size fits all.” An eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) must measure each eye to properly fit the lenses and evaluate how your eye responds to contact lens wear. A poor fit can cause serious eye damage, including:

• scratches on the cornea (the clear dome of tissue over the iris—the part of the eye that gives you your eye color)
• corneal infection (an ulcer or sore on the cornea)
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• decreased vision
• blindness

Places that sell decorative lenses without a prescription may give you few or no instructions on how to clean and care for your lenses. Failure to use the proper solution to keep contact lenses clean and moist can lead to infections, says Bernard P. Lepri, O.D., M.S., M.Ed., an FDA optometrist in the agency’s Contact Lens and Retinal Devices Branch. “Bacterial infections can be extremely rapid, result in corneal ulcers, and cause blindness—sometimes within as little as 24 hours if not diagnosed and treated promptly.”

“The problem isn’t with the decorative contacts themselves,” adds Lepri. “It’s the way people use them improperly—without a valid prescription, without the involvement of a qualified eye care professional, or without appropriate follow-up care.”

Where NOT to Buy Contact Lenses

FDA is aware that many places illegally sell decorative contact lenses to consumers without valid prescriptions for as little as $20.

You should never buy lenses from:

• street vendors
• salons or beauty supply stores
• boutiques
• flea markets
• novelty stores
• Halloween stores
• record or video stores
• convenience stores
• beach shops
• Internet sites that do not require a prescription

These are not authorized distributors of contact lenses, which are prescription devices by federal law. You can talk with your eye care provider if you have questions. And if you find a Web site you think is illegally selling contact lenses over the Web, you should report it to FDA.

How to Safely Wear Decorative or “Colored” Contact Lenses

Get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist), even if you feel your vision is perfect.

Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and an expiration date.

Don’t buy anime or circle lenses—and don’t expect your eye doctor to prescribe them. These bigger-than-normal lenses that give the wearer a wide-eyed, doll-like look have not been cleared by the FDA.

Buy the lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you purchase them in person or shop online.

Follow all directions for cleaning, disinfecting, and wearing the lenses, and visit your eye doctor for follow-up eye exams. It‘s especially important to read and follow all instructions because you can injure your eyes if you do not use these medical device products according to the labeling. (See additional information about cleaning solutions with hydrogen peroxide on the FDA website.)

See your eye doctor right away if you have signs of possible eye infection:

• redness
• eye pain that doesn’t go away after a short time
• decrease in vision

Being able to see well is a vital aspect of performing daily activities for most people. Worldwide, many people rely on contact lenses (as well as glasses and eye surgery) to improve their sight. Contact lenses can provide many benefits, but they are not risk-free—especially if contact lens wearers don’t practice healthy habits and take care of their contact lenses and supplies. If patients seek care quickly, most complications can be easily treated by an eye doctor. However, more serious infections can cause pain and even permanent vision loss, depending on the cause and how long the patient waits to seek treatment.

Keratitis

Contact lens wear is linked to higher risk of keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea (the clear dome that covers the colored part of the eye). Many contact lens wearers do not care for their contact lenses and supplies as instructed, which increases their risk of eye problems like keratitis.

Keratitis in contact lens wearers can be caused by many factors. One type of keratitis, called microbial keratitis, can occur when germs invade the cornea. These germs—such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites (amebae)—are more likely to invade the eyes when contact lenses are worn for too long or are not cared for correctly. Microbial keratitis is a serious type of eye infection in contact lens wearers, which can lead to blindness or the need for corneal transplant in the most severe cases.

Types of Microbial Keratitis

• Bacterial Keratitis
• Fungal Keratitis
• Parasitic/Amebic Keratitis
• Viral Keratitis

Symptoms of Eye Infection

• Irritated, red eyes
• Worsening pain in or around the eyes—even after contact lens removal
• Light sensitivity
• Sudden blurry vision
• Unusually watery eyes or discharge

Prevention

Microbial keratitis can usually be prevented through healthy habits and proper care of contact lenses and supplies. Keep your eyes healthy while wearing contact lenses by following these tips, and always be sure to carry a pair of glasses with you—just in case you have to take out your contact lenses.

Contact lenses provide vision benefits, but they are not risk-free if wear and care instructions are not followed. If you are a contact lens wearer, your contact lenses should feel comfortable and allow you to see well. If they don’t, schedule an appointment for your eye doctor to re-check your eyes and lenses.

Complications

Rare infections of the cornea (the clear dome covering the colored part of the eye), called microbial keratitis, are among the most serious complications related to contact lens wear. Other complications that are commonly linked to contact lenses usually cause milder symptoms, or no symptoms at all. They may resolve through temporarily not wearing contact lenses, or with eye drops prescribed by an eye doctor. Some of these complications include:

• Allergies affecting the eyes
• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis: bumps that appear underneath the eyelid
• Corneal abrasion: a scratch or scrape on the cornea
• Contact Lens-induced Acute Red Eye (CLARE): red, irritated eyes
• Corneal infiltrates: irritation of the cornea indicating inflammation and possible infection
• Dry eyes
• Neovascularization: new blood vessels growing onto the cornea, sometimes causing eye redness

If You Have Symptoms

If you have any of the symptoms below, remove your contact lenses. If the symptoms continue after a couple of hours, or if they get worse, call your eye doctor.

• Irritated, red eyes
• Worsening pain in or around the eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Sudden blurry vision
• Unusually watery eyes or discharge

Prevention

Keep your eyes healthy while wearing contact lenses by following these tips, and always be sure to carry a pair of glasses with you—just in case you have to take out your contact lenses.

Most people use multipurpose solution to take care of their contact lenses, but there are several other lens care systems. Talk to your eye doctor about which system is right for you.

Hydrogen peroxide-based systems

If you have an allergy to multipurpose solution, your eye doctor may prescribe a hydrogen peroxide-based system to disinfect and store your lenses. These systems use a special case that turns hydrogen peroxide into saline overnight.

Hydrogen peroxide can hurt your eyes, so it’s important to follow all the instructions and leave enough time for the solution to turn into saline before you take your contacts out of the case.

If you use a hydrogen peroxide-based system:

• Always use the new special case that comes with each new bottle of solution
• Always leave your contacts in the special case for at least 6 hours
• Never rinse your contacts with hydrogen peroxide solution
• Never put hydrogen peroxide solution directly in your eyes

Hard contact lens care systems

If you wear hard contact lenses (also called rigid gas permeable or RGP lenses), you’ll need to use several different solutions to wet, soak, clean, and disinfect your lenses.

If you wear hard lenses:

• Don’t leave lenses in the soaking solution overnight — go through all the steps, including disinfecting your lenses
• Use a storage case with ridges on the bottom, so your lenses don’t get stuck to the case
• If your lenses dry out, soak them for at least 4 hours before you put them back in
• If you use a suction cup to take your lenses out, clean the suction cup with contact lens cleaning solution after each use

Other solutions used with lens care systems

Some people use special solutions to rinse or clean their lenses as part of their lens care system. These solutions can’t be used alone, because they don’t disinfect your lenses. Your eye doctor will tell you if you need to use any of these solutions with your system:

• Daily cleaner to rub dirt and other material off of your lenses before disinfecting
• Saline to rinse your lenses after cleaning and disinfecting
• Enzymatic protein remover to remove the proteins that may build up on your lenses over time

Hydrogen peroxide and multipurpose solutions both clean and disinfect contact lenses by breaking up and removing trapped debris, protein, and fatty deposits (lipids). Unlike multipurpose solutions, hydrogen peroxide solutions are preservative-free, which makes them a suitable option for those who are allergic or sensitive to the preservatives found in multipurpose solutions. They are not risk-free, however, and should be used with appropriate cautions.

How to use Hydrogen Peroxide correctly

Hydrogen peroxide placed directly into the eyes or on your contact lenses can cause stinging, burning, and temporary corneal damage. When using hydrogen peroxide you must follow the disinfecting process with a neutralizer. The neutralizer turns the peroxide into water and oxygen, making it safe to put your lenses back into your eyes.

Neutralization can be either a one-step or two-step process. The one-step process neutralizes your lenses during the disinfecting stage, while the two-step process neutralizes your lenses after the disinfecting stage.

Some storage cases have a neutralizer built-in, making it a simple one-step process. With other cases, a neutralizing tablet that comes with the hydrogen peroxide solution must be added. This is the two-step process.

Always consult your eye-care provider before deciding on the best cleaning and disinfecting method for your lenses. Never change your lens-care system before consulting your eye care provider.

Tips for Using Hydrogen Peroxide Contact Lens Solutions Safely

• Before you use a new contact lens solution, READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS LISTED ON THE BOX AND BOTTLE AND FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY.
• Be sure to use the special contact lens case that comes with your hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution. NEVER use any case other than the one that comes with every new bottle. Do NOT use the old case when you get a new bottle of peroxide based contact lens solution. If you do, it will not neutralize the peroxide and it will cause burning, stinging and irritation when you put your contacts in your eyes.
• Be sure to leave your contacts in the solution for at least 6 hours to allow the neutralizing process to finish.
• The red tip on the solution bottle is a reminder that these products require special handling. NEVER rinse your lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions or put hydrogen peroxide solutions in your eyes. You will experience burning, stinging and irritation.
• DO NOT allow friends and house guests to use your hydrogen peroxide solution because they may confuse this with multipurpose solution and not use it according to the specific instructions for hydrogen peroxide solution. This could result in stinging, burning and even damage to their eyes.

Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them well with a clean cloth before touching your contact lenses every time.

Why? Not washing hands with soap and water prior to touching your contact lenses is a risk factor for complications related to contact lens wear, as germs from the hands are transferred to the contact lenses and the lens case. Because microbes that cause eye infections are found in the water, you should dry your hands first before touching your contact lenses. Washing hands with soap and water, and drying them with a clean, lint-free cloth, is essential each time that contact lenses are inserted and removed. Follow these tips for proper handwashing.

Don't sleep in your contact lenses unless prescribed by your eye doctor.

Why? Sleeping in any type of contact lens increases by 6 to 8 times the risk of getting a serious type of corneal infection called microbial keratitis. Out of every 10,000 people who sleep overnight in their contact lenses in an average year, 18-20 infections of microbial keratitis will occur. Several companies make contact lenses that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to wear during the day and to sleep in (often called “extended wear,” “continuous wear,” or “overnight wear”); however, contact lens wearers who choose this type of lens should be informed that sleeping in any type of contact lenses increases the risk of serious eye infections.

Keep water away from your contact lenses. Avoid showering in contact lenses, and remove them before using a hot tub or swimming.

Why? Contact lenses are a known risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe type of eye infection caused by a free-living ameba that is commonly found in water. Infection from Acanthamoeba is relatively rare, with 1-21 infections per million contact lens wearers, depending on the geographical location. It can be difficult to treat and extremely painful—in the worst cases causing blindness. Activities such as showering, using a hot tub, and swimming while wearing contact lenses may increase the risk of this infection, as well as other types of infections. Due to regional differences in environmental factors and water quality worldwide contact lens wearers should always avoid exposure of contact lenses to water—both at home and when traveling.

Your Contact Lenses

Rub and rinse your contact lenses with contact lens disinfecting solution—never water or saliva—to clean them each time you remove them.

Why? Improper cleaning of contact lenses raises the risk of complications among contact lens wearers. Rubbing contact lenses with a clean finger and rinsing them with disinfecting solution is the most effective way to remove deposits and microbes from soft contact lenses. Rinsing contact lenses with multipurpose solution and soaking them overnight without rubbing them first is not as effective at removing microbes. Regardless of the type of contact lens worn, rubbing and rinsing the lenses daily is an important step in maintaining contact lens and eye health.

Never store your contact lenses in water.

Why? For the same reason that showering, using a hot tub, and swimming should be avoided while wearing contact lenses, contacts should not be stored in water at any time. Exposing contact lenses to water may increase the risk of different types of eye infections. One serious type of contact lens-related eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis , is caused by a microscopic ameba commonly found in water. Even though infection from Acanthamoeba is rare, it can be difficult to treat and extremely painful—in the worst cases causing blindness.

Replace your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye doctor.

Why? While the effects of not replacing contact lenses as regularly as recommended by an eye care provider have not been fully examined , studies have shown that contact lens wearers who do not follow recommended replacement schedules have more complications and self-reported discomfort than contact lens wearers who follow the replacement recommendations. Some contact lens wearers have also reported poorer vision as a result of wearing contact lenses longer than indicated by their eye care providers.

Your Contact Lens Case

Rub and rinse your contact lens case with contact lens solution—never water—and then empty and dry with a clean tissue. Store upside down with the caps off after each use.

Why? Contaminated contact lens cases have been linked to rare but serious eye infections in contact lens wearers in recent years. An invisible layer in the case called a biofilm can become a breeding ground for microscopic germs that can cause infections. Biofilms in contact lens cases can be best removed by rubbing and rinsing the case with disinfecting solution, and wiping dry with a tissue , and then allowing to air-dry face down with the caps off. Fewer than half of contact lens wearers report always cleaning their contact lens cases , even though the number of moderate to severe contact lens-related infections could be cut in half through improved lens case cleaning procedures.

Replace your contact lens case at least once every three months.

Why? Infrequent replacement of contact lens cases, along with poor cleaning of cases, has been linked to serious eye infections in contact lens wearers. A significant number of contact lens wearers report not changing their lens case on a regular basis. Even when cleaned properly by rubbing and rinsing the case with disinfecting solution, contact lens cases can still be contaminated with microscopic germs that can cause infections when they come into contact with the eye. The ideal frequency for lens case replacement has not been scientifically established , but there is agreement among experts in the vision care field that cases should be replaced every three months, or when a new bottle of solution is purchased that comes with a case—whichever comes sooner.

Your Contact Lens Solution

Don’t "top off" solution. Use only fresh contact lens disinfecting solution in your case—never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.

Why? Topping off solution—or mixing fresh solution with used solution in the case for storing contact lenses—has been an important risk factor in serious outbreaks of contact lens-associated infections. Used solution in the case can become contaminated by germs that are on contact lenses or in the contact lens case. An invisible layer called a biofilm can grow in the case. The presence of biofilms can make contact lens disinfecting solution less effective at killing germs that can cause serious eye infections, and adding new solution to used solution can lower germ-killing power. It is important to use only fresh solution—never water—in the contact lens case when storing contact lenses overnight to help prevent infections.

Use only the contact lens solution recommended by your eye doctor.

Why? It is important to use the type or brand of contact lens solution recommended by your eye care provider. An eye doctor or optician recommends a contact lens solution based on each patient’s eyes and medical history. In addition, certain types of contact lenses and solutions may interact and cause eye irritation when used together. An eye doctor can help determine the best solution for each type of contact lens. Eye doctors should be consulted before changing the type or brand of contact lens solution, and contact lens wearers should always be sure to read the package insert carefully before using any type of solution.

Visit your eye doctor yearly or as often as he or she recommends.

Why? The eye care community generally agrees that yearly eye exams are recommended for contact lens wearers in order to keep their eyes as healthy as possible while wearing contact lenses —particularly given that wearing contact lenses increases the risk for eye infections and complications. Additionally, contact lens wearers often need to have a yearly exam to confirm their prescription so that they may order new supplies of contact lenses. In some instances, eye doctors may recommend that patients return more frequently for eye exams.

If you travel, don’t let an eye infection get in the way. Take care of your contact lenses so you can enjoy the sights of your destination.

As you prepare for your trip, follow these tips to help prevent contact lens-related eye infections.

Before You Go

• Make sure your contact lens prescription is up-to-date. Visit your eye care provider yearly or as often as they recommend.
• Replace your contact lens case every three months.
• Pack backup supplies, including a contact lens case, contacts, glasses, and contact lens solution—just in case you lose anything.

During Your Trip

• Your eyes need a break too. Take out your contact lenses before you sleep, shower, or swim. Wearing contact lenses to bed or exposing them to water increases the risk of painful eye infections.
• Don’t swim or shower while wearing contact lenses because germs can be carried from the water into your eye.
• Replace your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye care provider.
• Use only fresh contact lens solution—never water—to store your lenses after each use.
  • Never mix fresh solution with old or used solution.
• Don’t buy contact lenses unless they have been prescribed for you. Wearing contacts without a prescription can pose serious risks to your sight and eye health.

You only have one pair of eyes, so take care of them! Healthy Habits = Healthy Eyes. Taking proper care of your contact lenses can help you see better and keep your eyes healthy.

When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a safe and effective way to correct your vision. In fact, more than 45 million Americans wear contact lenses. However, wearing contact lenses can increase your chance of getting an eye infection—especially if you do not care for your lenses the right way.

Contact Lens Health Starts with You

Your habits, supplies, and eye care provider are all essential to keeping your eyes healthy. Both contact lens wearers and eye care providers play an important role in proper eye care. By following your eye care provider’s instructions on how to properly wear, clean, and store your lenses, you can enjoy the comfort and benefits of contact lenses while lowering your chances of an eye infection.

Follow these healthy habits to safely wear contact lenses and help protect your eyes:

Tips for Hard, or Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP), Contact Lens Wearers

The wear and care recommendations for soft contact lenses also apply to hard, or rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP), contact lenses. Follow these extra tips:

• Follow the lens cleaning guidance of your eye care provider and the lens solution use instructions. Take care to avoid using tap water to rinse or store your hard contact lenses.
• Hard contact lenses can last much longer than soft contact lenses if cared for properly. Replace your hard contact lenses when recommended to do so by your eye care provider.