Contact lenses are a safe and popular way to correct your vision. But they require special care and wearing instructions to function properly and maintain good eye health. Handling, cleaning and storing your contacts the right way can help prevent infection and keep your contact lenses and your vision performing their best.

Follow these eye and contact lens care tips to get the most from your contact lenses and enjoy healthy eyes and vision.

How to take care of contact lenses

Wash your hands. Always wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly before touching your contact lenses. Clean and safe handling of your contact lenses is one of the most important ways to protect your sight.
Replace your contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye doctor. Serious complications may occur, including vision loss, if contact lenses are worn beyond their prescribed wear date.
Use a high-quality contact lens solution. Use products like multi-purpose solution recommended by your eye doctor and avoid buying and using a contact lens solution just because it’s on sale. Make sure the tip of the solution container doesn’t touch any surfaces and always close the bottle tightly when you’re not using it.
Avoid getting water on your contact lenses. Exposing contact lenses to water may increase the risk of a vision-threatening infection. Always remove your contact lenses before showering.
Swimmers may wear contact lenses in the pool as long as they wear water-tight goggles designed to keep out small organisms that can cause eye infections.
Check your contact lens before putting it in your eye. Contact lenses should be moist, clean, clear, and free of nicks and tears.
Use fresh contact lens care products including fresh solution and use before the expiration date. For optimal eye care, change your solution according to the manufacturer's recommendations and based on your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t forget to clean your case frequently, too, since bacteria can grow quickly inside your contact lens case.
Remove your contact lenses and contact your eye doctor if you have eye discomfort, tearing, vision changes or redness.
Never use a contact lens if it’s damaged or if the sterile blister package it comes in is open or damaged.
Avoid wetting your lenses with saliva or putting contact lenses in your mouth. Saliva is not a sterile solution.

Remember to schedule regular eye exams, even if you’re seeing clearly with your contact lenses. Your eye doctor can make sure that your prescription is accurate, your contact lenses fit properly, and your eyes are healthy.

The CareCredit credit card can make it easy to pay for eye exams, contact lenses and other vision treatments and vision-related products at participating vision care providers nationwide.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider or retailer near you that accepts CareCredit.