Contact lenses are among the safest forms of vision correction when patients follow the proper care and wearing instructions provided by their eye care professional. However, when patients do not use lenses as directed, the consequences may be dangerous.

To help patients understand the importance of proper contact lens care, the American Optometric Association has prepared these guidelines, reproduced here with permission:

• Always wash and dry your hands before handling contact lenses.
• Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your eye doctor. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multi-purpose solution to completely cover the lens.
• Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace your case every three months or sooner.  Clean the case after each use, and keep it open and dry between cleanings.
• Use only products recommended by your eye doctor to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
• Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses. Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, even if the lenses are not used daily.
• Always follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule prescribed by your eye doctor.
• Remove contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub.
• See your eye doctor for your regularly scheduled contact lens and eye examination.