Learn to take great care of your contact lenses

Young woman on a bicycle. Smiling young woman on a bicycle, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Dressed in comfortable jeans and a blue tank top

Keep your contact lenses clean and help your eyes stay healthy

It's not hard to take care of your contact lenses, but it does take practice. Establishing a good routine for cleaning and disinfecting is the best way to keep your eyes happy and healthy with reusable contact lenses.

Make lens cleaning part of your nightly routine

Below are general guidelines that can help you care for your reusable contact lenses, but you should always follow the cleaning instructions prescribed by your optometrist.

An illustrated closed contact lens case.

Fill your contact lens case

Use fresh disinfecting solutions.

An illustration of someone cleaning a contact lens with solution in the palm of their hand.

Clean the lenses

In the palm of your washed, cleaned and dried hand, apply a few drops of the disinfecting solution. With one finger, gently rub back and forth.

An illustration showing the application of contact lens solution to a contact lens in the palm of a hand.

Rinse the lenses

Rinse with more of the solution, then put the lens into your clean contact lens case.

An illustration of a contact lens case with the right lens case open and a contact lens resting inside.

Store in the disinfecting solution

Place the lenses in their case, close it, and leave them to soak overnight.

Four steps to follow for daily lens case hygiene

Empty: Always start by discarding the old solution. Never re-use or "top-up" the solution.
Rinse: Use fresh contact lens solution. Never use tap water.
Air-Dry: Leave the case upside down on a clean towel or tissue.
Replace: Get a new contact lens case on a regular basis—at least every 3 months.

Contact lens dos and don'ts

Do

Wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
Insert contact lenses before applying makeup.
Remove your contact lenses and call your optometrist if you experience redness, changes in vision or discharge.
Establish a routine: Replace lenses on the same day of the week, remove lenses from in the same order, etc.

Don't

Use tap water to clean your contact lenses or lens case.
Wait to clean your contact lenses after you remove them.
Wear your contact lenses longer than the recommended replacement schedule your optometrist gave you.
Sleep in your contact lenses.

Help & Troubleshooting

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More tips for everyday comfort

Your eyes naturally have a layer of moisture, but sometimes your lifestyle can impact things. Here are a few common areas that may contribute to discomfort, and ways you can stay on top of things.

Beauty Routine

Black woman with brown eyes and natural hair inserting contact lens.

Insert your contact lenses before you put on your makeup.
Try using water-resistant makeup to prevent flaking or smudging.
Use hypoallergenic, oil-free makeup removers (when possible).
When you go to the salon, leave your contact lenses at home. Many salon chemicals such as hairspray or dye can damage your contact lenses.
Don't wear makeup or your contact lenses if your eyes are swollen, red or infected.

A woman touching her eye while exercising. A woman touching her eye while exercising outside on a running trail

What usually causes eye irritation?

Experiencing red or irritated eyes is common, but for many, it's temporary. Here are some typical causes:

Being tired
Wind
Dry or dusty environments
Allergies
Wearing contact lenses longer than recommended
Sensitivity to materials or solutions

Remember, you should always adhere to the replacement schedule for your contact lenses.

Mild, temporary irritated eyes are one thing, but if you're experiencing sensitivity to materials or solutions, persistent redness or irritation, pain or impaired vision, you should contact your optometrist immediately.

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Footnotes

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always wash hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.

‖MyACUVUE^® is subject to Terms of Use which can be viewed upon downloading the app. Alternatively, you may email [email protected] for a copy. MyACUVUE^® is only available at selected Optical Practices which you can find in the above Practice Locator.

¶The names and optometrist profiles on this site are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement of any particular healthcare professional. The choice of optometrist and particular treatment options belongs to you.

1. Tsubota K Nakamori K. Dry eyes and video display terminals. N Engl J Med. 1993;328(8):584. Doi: 10.1056/NEJM199302253280817.

2. Patel S, Henderson R, Bradley L, et al. Effect of visual display unit use on blink rate and tear stability. Optom Vis Sci 1991;68(11):888-892. doi10.1097/00006324-199111000-00010.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE^® Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your optometrist. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your optometrist immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your optometrist and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide or call the ACUVUE^® Support Team on 0800 466 173.

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