Basic precautions

• Ensure your fingernails are short, clean and smooth.
• Work over a flat surface. If working over a sink, put the plug in.
• Wash hands and dry with a lint free towel. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are not recommended. Use of fragrance-free towels is recommended (i.e. no aloe vera or eucalyptus tissues).

Insertion

• Take the lens from its opened container.
• Make sure it is positioned the right way around.
• Check the lens for defects, tears, lint or debris. Rinse the lens with saline/MPDS if debris is present. Discard lens if defective.
• Ensure the index finger of the dominant hand is dry (recommendation only, other fingers may also be just as suitable if not better).
• Place the lens on the tip of the index finger of the dominant hand.
• Always insert or remove the same lens first, usually the right lens, to avoid confusion between left and right.
• Use the middle finger of your right hand, the same hand with the lens, to hold the centre of your lower lid down, with your other hand, firmly hold the upper lid close to the base of your eyelashes.
• Look directly at the contact lens and gently place the lens directly on your cornea or looking up place the lens on the lower part of the white of your eye.
• Look towards the lens to position the lens correctly.
• Slowly release your lower lid first and then your upper lid. Blink gently a few times to allow the lens to settle on the eye.
• Follow the same instructions for your left eye.

Removal

• Ensure your fingernails are short, clean and smooth.
• Wash and dry your hands before removing your lenses.
• Check the lens is centred on the cornea before removing. If removing the right lens first, close your left eye. If you can see clearly it means the lens is in place and can be removed safely.
• Tilt your chin towards your chest or look upward.
• Pull down your lower lid.
• Drag the contact lens off your cornea and on to the lower part of the white of your eye.
• Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and forefinger. Avoid using your fingernails.
• Repeat for the other lens.

Contact lens care

Multipurpose solution

• A multipurpose solution will clean, disinfect, store, rewet and remove protein daily.
• Close the lid after using and be careful not to contaminate your solution by touching the tip of the bottle to any surface or to your eye.
• You must clean your lenses after every use.
• Do not re-use the solution already in the lens case and never 'top-up' your solution.
• Never use tap water to rinse and clean.

Care of soft contact lenses

1 day disposables

• Discard after removal at end of the day.

All other soft contact lens types

• After removal at the end of the day, rub and rinse with MPDS:
  • Place one lens onto the palm of your hand and apply a few drops of solution to the lens;
  • Rub the lens with a finger of your other hand for about 10 to 15 seconds;
  • Repeat on the other side of the lens;
  • Rinse the lens thoroughly to remove any debris that you have dislodged.
• Fill your clean case with solution. Ensure the MPDS is replaced daily.
• Place your cleaned lenses in the correct basket and close the cap.
• Leave the lenses to soak overnight or at least 4 to 6 hours for thorough disinfection.
• In the morning clean the lens by rubbing and rinsing with MPDS before insertion.

Case care

• Clean the case daily by rinsing with MPDS and allowing to air dry.
• Clean cases with hot soapy water weekly, rinse with MPDS solution and air dry.
• Throw cases away monthly .
• Don't leave cases in the bathroom or any hot / damp environment (damp environment encourages infections).

Important points

• Hygiene protocols for hand washing, lens handling and disinfection and lens case cleaning;
  • Cleanliness is the first and most important aspect of proper contact lens care. Establish a routine of good hygiene for handling your lenses. Always wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse carefully and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.

• Cosmetics
  • Do not use oily cosmetics, soaps containing cold cream, lotions or creams before handling your lenses. It is best to insert your lenses before putting on make-up. Water-based cosmetics are less likely to damage lenses than oil-based products.
  • Keep your eyes closed when using hairspray or other aerosols.

• A stuck lens
  • If a lens sticks on your eye, you may be prescribed a lubricating or wetting solution by your optometrist. In this way you can "wet" your lenses while you are wearing them, to make them more comfortable and less likely to 'stick'
  • Just apply a few drops and wait until the lens begins to move freely on the eye. If this does not solve the problem, consult your optometrist IMMEDIATELY.

Wearing your lenses

• Make sure your eyes always Feel Good, Look Good and See Good.
• If at any point your eyes feel sore, your vision goes blurry or your eyes go red, immediately remove your contact lenses.
• If the signs do not improve over 24 hours contact your optometrist.
• Talk to your optometrist about wearing lenses during sporting activities including swimming and other water sports.

Contact lens do's and don'ts

Do

• Wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
• Follow the advice of your optometrist on care and maintenance.
• Replace your lenses as recommended by your optometrist and only wear them for the number of days for which they are designated.
• Use fresh solution every time you wear your lenses, do not top up existing solution.
• Remove your lenses if you experience any discomfort, redness or blurry vision. Contact your optometrist immediately if it persists or reoccurs.
• Have a pair of glasses available if you need to remove your lenses.
• Insert your lenses before applying make up.
• See your optometrist regularly, at least every 12 months.

Don't

• Use incorrect solutions such as tap water, bottled water or saline to clean your lenses.
• Allow lotions, soaps, creams or aerosols, such as hairspray, perfume, aftershave and deodorant to come into contact with your lenses.
• Share contact lenses with anyone else.
• Sleep in your lenses, unless you have had a specific fitting by your optometrist.
• Use 'old' lenses or cases and solutions past their used by date.
• Apply any kind of eye drops or medications without consulting a health care professional.
• Wear your lenses:
  • For longer than recommended by your optometrist. Try to give your eyes one day rest a week out of your lenses;
  • If your eyes are red or uncomfortable;
  • If the contact lens is torn, damaged or dirty;
  • When you are experiencing allergy, inflammation, infection or irritation in or around your eye or eyelids;
  • When you are in poor health, such as colds/influenza;
  • When you are in excessively dry, smoky or dusty environments.

Frequently asked questions

• Sleeping in lenses increases the risk of corneal ulcers and infections about five times more than someone who doesn't sleep in their lenses.
• Lenses that are not specifically designed to be slept in will reduce the amount of oxygen in the eye and can cause occasional damage to the ocular surface.
• Sleeping in your lenses can cause the lens to adhere to the front of your cornea, which could lead to you damaging the top layer of your cornea when you remove the lens.
• Do not sleep in your contact lenses unless your optometrist has indicated that it is safe to do so.