Contact lenses are medical devices that need to be treated with care. If dirt builds up on the surface, bacteria could contaminate your eyes and cause serious infections. If they fall out or cause constant itching, don't wear them without cleaning them first.
Steps
Step 1. Check the life of your contact lenses on the packaging, so you know how long you can wear them and know the expiration date
Once past, discard and replace them. Clean them every time you remove them, unless you can keep them even at night. This type of lens should be cleaned according to your eye doctor's schedule, usually once a week. Clean them immediately whenever they start to itch, as otherwise you risk damaging your eyes.
- Daily lenses should not be washed;
- Contact lenses that can be used for more than a month have now become very rare. If you've been wearing them for a while, check with your optician to make sure everything is in order.
- If you have memory problems, write down the day you need to change lenses on the calendar.
Step 2. Prepare the case
Before removing your contact lenses, prepare the case by rinsing it and pouring new solution into it. This way you can put each lens directly into the container instead of resting it on a napkin or trying to hold it on your fingertip while you clean the case. It will therefore be less likely to dry out, collect dust and debris, or get lost.
Always use fresh solution - if it's dirty, it will contaminate your lenses
Step 3. Check the lenses to see if they have been damaged
After removing a lens, examine it carefully by holding it on your fingertip. If you don't notice any dirt, put it in the case and proceed. If, on the other hand, you see some residue, look at it better in the light. The itch may be due to a tear, bump, or other deformation. In this case, throw it away and replace it.
Repeat with the second lens
Step 4. Look for a contact lens solution
The optician should provide it with the lens package. If it ends, you can buy it at the pharmacy or on the internet. Be sure to use a liquid designed for daily contact lens storage and for the specific type of lens you use (hard or soft). If you don't have the solution, don't put your lenses back on and don't proceed with cleaning.
Step 5. Wash your hands with soap and water
Dry them with a napkin or lint-free cloth. Regular towels leave residues on your hands, which can cause dirt and damage to the lenses.
- If necessary, also remove make-up;
- Water left on your hands can get under the lenses, causing bubbles to form.
Step 6. Gently clean one lens at a time by following this procedure:
- Place a lens on the palm, with the concave part facing upwards;
- Pour a drop of solution on the lens. Let it act for a few seconds;
- Place a finger on the lens. Move it up and down, then left and right. Do not draw circles, otherwise you risk breaking the lens.
Step 7. After cleaning the lens, insert it into the special compartment of the case and close it tightly
Step 8. Gently shake the case
It may seem strange to you, but this movement helps to remove all traces of dirt left on the lenses. Don't do it too hard to avoid damaging them. Leave them in the case for as long as the manufacturer recommends. It can take a few minutes or a few hours to disinfect them.
If your lenses continue to bother you after cleaning, this is likely due to a tear rather than dirt residue. Throw them away and use a new pair
Step 9. Consider other treatments
If the lenses continue to be dirty or prevent you from seeing clearly, you may need to try another solution. Talk to your optician or consider the following options:
- If your vision is blurred, try a solution designed to remove protein deposits. Read the instructions, as the cleaning process can be different.
- Put extremely dirty lenses in a more concentrated disinfectant solution. Leave them in the case for several hours. If used incorrectly, concentrated liquids can damage your eyes, so you should always follow the instructions on the package exactly.
- There are machines that allow you to clean the lenses without the use of solutions. However, they are known more for their practicality than for their effectiveness. Follow the instructions for use to the letter to avoid damaging the lenses.
- If irritation persists, consult an ophthalmologist. Pathologies such as giant papillary conjunctivitis and allergic conjunctivitis can compromise the portability of the lenses and require targeted treatment, deep cleaning of the device is not enough.
Advice
- If you can't read without contact lenses, ask someone to guide you through the cleaning.
- Soft contact lenses can flip over. If necessary, put them back in the right position before putting them on.
- Although you use wearable lenses even at night, it is always best to take them off before going to sleep, in order to reduce the accumulation of waste materials on the surface and avoid the risk of contracting eye irritation.
- Using too much solution, the lenses can end up floating in the liquid, making cleaning much more inconvenient.
Warnings
- Do not pour the solution directly into the eyes - it is annoying and useless.
- Contact lenses are delicate and can be damaged by sebum. Avoid touching your face between hand washing and lens fitting.
- Use only a specific contact lens solution.
- Soft contact lenses are very fragile. Try not to let them break during the cleaning process.
