When contact lenses are worn and cared for correctly, they can be a safe and convenient way to see clearly. However, wearing contact lenses can increase your chance of getting an eye infection — especially if you do not care for them properly.
Healthy habits mean healthy eyes. Follow these tips to help prevent eye infections.
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them well with a clean cloth before touching your contact lenses every time.
- Don’t wear contact lenses while sleeping, unless directed to do so by your eye doctor. Wearing contact lenses while sleeping can increase the chance of an eye infection by 6 to 8 times.
- Contact lenses and water don’t mix. Water can introduce germs to the eyes through contact lenses. Remove contact lenses before showering or swimming and never rinse lenses with tap water.
- Never mix fresh solution with used solution. Use only fresh contact lens solution in your case. Adding new solution to used solution can lower germ-killing power.
- Replace your contacts as often as your eye doctor says and use the solution your eye doctor tells you to use.
Visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/contactlenses to learn more about healthy contact lens wear and care.
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