Dos and don'ts of contact lens wear

Do

• Always wash and rinse hands before handling contact lenses. Dry with a lint free towel.
• Clean the contact lenses after each wear and disinfect them using fresh solution.
• Keep a back up pair of spectacles.
• Maintain regular contact lens care procedures.
• Adhere strictly to the wearing schedule recommended by the optometrist.
• Have regular eye examinations. Usually every six months unless otherwise instructed by the optometrist.
• Always check if the contact lens is inside out before inserting.
• Be careful when applying makeup. It's best to put your contact lenses in before applying makeup and take them out before removing it.
• Consult the optometrist if eyes are red, sore or vision is blurry.
• Clean the contact lens case regularly and replace every 6 months.
• Always start with the right contact lens first so that they do not get mixed up.
• Keep the contact lenses wet at all times either in the eyes or stored in solution in the case.

• Use tap water for contact lens care.
• Wear the contact lenses if eyes are red or sore.
• Forget the annual after care visit.
• Rub eyes when wearing contact lenses.
• Sleep in daily wear contact lenses (OK in continuous wear contact lenses).
• Wear contact lenses when swimming unless wearing goggles.
• Wear cracked or damaged contact lenses.
• Place contact lenses on top of the television or any warm or hot appliance.
• Use medicated drops on contact lenses without your optometrist's approval.
• Keep disposable contact lenses longer than instructed by the optometrist.
• Insert contact lenses when eyes are sore or red, or the contact lenses are uncomfortable.
• Use saliva to wet contact lenses.
• Change solutions without consulting the optometrist.