8 tips for protecting your eyes while wearing contact lenses

One thing that can keep some people from wearing contact lenses is fear—like fear of hurting their eyes, or fear of getting an infection. And while contact lenses are not risk-free, they have a long history of being safe when you follow the directions given to you by your eye doctor.

Medically reviewed on September 4, 2025

•

Published on November 12, 2025

•

5 minute read time

1. Don’t cut corners! Stay true to your hygiene routine.

Contact lenses are safe for millions of people around the world, but they become less safe if you don’t follow the care instructions your eye doctor gives you. It’s tough to overstate just how important lens hygiene is—taking shortcuts or skipping steps can lead to serious eye health problems, like infection and even blindness. If you’re new to contact lenses, focus on getting a good routine established. Make sure to follow the instructions your eye doctor gave you, keep a copy of your contact lens instruction guide handy, and if it helps, write the steps down and tape them to your mirror.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and water and dry them with a lint-free towel before handling your contacts.
Never touch your lenses with greasy or oily hands—this is why it’s a good idea to put your contacts on before you put any makeup on.
Never put your contact lenses in your mouth or use saliva (spit) to wet your lenses. It may sound odd, but we have to say it because people do it!

2. Never sleep with your contacts lenses on (unless approved by your eye doctor)

Sleeping with contacts that aren’t specifically designed for overnight wear is a big no-no. That's because it increases the chance you’ll experience complications like an eye infection or a corneal ulcer (it’s as bad as it sounds—a sore on the front of your eye).

Why you shouldn’t sleep with contacts on

6-8x higher chance of eye infection

If you accidently sleep with your contacts on

3. Keep your contacts away from water

It doesn’t matter whether water is from a tap, a bottle, or a lake—water and contact lenses don’t mix. For starters, most water isn’t germ-free, and certain microbes can cause a painful infection that can lead to blindness. Even sterile water can warp your lenses, making them uncomfortable or ineffective.

Can I shower with contacts on?

4. Keep back-up glasses handy

Wearing contact lenses doesn’t mean you're free from your glasses forever. It’s important to have at least one back-up pair of glasses with an up-to-date prescription ready to go in case of:

A contact lens tearing or getting dirty
Discomfort while wearing contacts
Developing an eye infection
Swimming or being in/around water
Visiting a dusty environment
Struggling with allergies

5. Strictly follow your lens replacement schedule

If you're wearing daily disposables, always throw your lenses away before you go to bed. If you’re wearing reusables, never wear your two-week lenses longer than two weeks after you open the packaging and never wear your one-month lenses longer than one month after you open the packaging. Trying to “stretch” your lens replacement schedule is dangerous for your eye health. Don’t do it.

Types of contact lenses

6. Do not share your contacts or wear contacts without a prescription

Around Halloween, colored contact lenses become very popular as finishing touches for costumes. But you should never wear contact lenses your eye doctor has not fit and prescribed to you personally. Contact lenses are regulated medical devices in the U.S., but lenses bought online may be shipped from outside the country and may not meet the same safety standards as the lenses your doctor prescribes.

Along the same lines, never share your contacts with another person. Your prescription is unique to you and your eyes, and even if your prescription were the exact same as someone else’s, the practice of sharing lenses is unsanitary and dangerous to your eye health.

Why you shouldn’t buy contacts without a prescription

7. Follow your contact lens and storage case disinfection instructions

If you’re wearing reusable lenses, be sure to use the multipurpose contact lens solution recommended by your eye doctor and follow the instructions provided by them and the manufacturer.

Never re-use or just “top-off” solution. Old solution can be an incubator for bacteria and other microbes, defeating the purpose of a disinfecting solution entirely.
Focus on one lens at a time, soaking, rubbing and rinsing your lens before storing
Clean your case with solution by rubbing and rinsing
Store your case upside down with caps off after each use
Replace your case at least once every three months

Cleaning and storing soft contacts

8. Call your eye doctor with questions or concerns

You’re the first line of defense when it comes to the health of your eyes. So if anything seems off, or if you have any questions, the best thing to do is reach out to your eye doctor. They’re the best person to answer your questions and provide guidance around any eye health issues.

Find an eye doctor

Questions about your contact lenses? We’re here to assist.

Chat with a contact lens specialist, watch helpful how-to videos, browse FAQs, and more.

Visit LensAssist^™

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Are contact lenses safe if I follow these eye care tips?

While wearing contact lenses has some inherent risk, when you follow the guidance of your eye doctor and the instructions from your contact lens manufacturer, the overall risk of serious eye problems may be reduced.

How often should I replace my lenses?

Always adhere to your eye doctor’s advised schedule—usually every day, every two weeks, or every month—and avoid wearing lenses longer than recommended.

What should I do if my eyes feel irritated or develop redness?

Remove your lenses immediately and contact your eye doctor for an appointment. Prompt action helps prevent more serious problems.

Can I wear contacts during swimming or water activities?

No, water can carry germs causing dangerous infections, so take out your lenses before water exposure.

What are easy tips to maintain good eye health?

Wear eye protection anytime you are at risk of a splash or flying debris - like cleaning with chemicals or cutting the grass
Don't forget to protect your eyes from UV rays with wide brimmed hats and sunglasses (bonus if you wear contact lenses that can also help block UV)
Practice good contact lens routines as mentioned in the article above.
Eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants
See your eye doctor routinely for checkups