Encyclopedia: Contact Lens - Cleaning and Care

Except for contact lenses that are worn for a short, continuous period and then thrown away, all contact lenses require cleaning, disinfecting, and rinsing on a daily basis. In fact, a contact lens that has been removed from the eye should never be reinserted without cleaning and disinfecting. Lenses worn for long periods of time may also require the use of an enzymatic cleaner to remove buildups of protein that can irritate the eye and damage the lens.

Here are the guidelines to follow in caring for your contact lenses:

Listen carefully to the care instructions given by your eye care professional and follow them carefully.
Never sleep in contact lenses unless approved by your eye doctor. Overnight lenses should never be worn for more than 6 nights in a row.
Whenever a lens is removed, it should be cleaned, rinsed, and disinfected before being worn again.
Always handle your lenses with clean hands. Wash, rinse, and dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
Be careful to protect your lenses from lotions, creams, and sprays. Lenses should always be inserted before applying makeup and removed after makeup has been removed.
Never wet your lenses with saliva, tap water, or any homemade solutions. Always use recommended commercial products.

Lens cases should be emptied, rinsed, and sterilized every day, and then left open to air dry.