Contact Lens Patient Instructions

General Lens Wearing and Lens Care Information

Do not rub your eyes with the lenses in. This may dislodge the lens off your eye or tear the lens in the eye. Gentle lid massage is allowable.
Do not wear contact lenses if they feel sore, itchy, or otherwise uncomfortable. Stop lens wear if you also experience red eyes, light sensitivity, eye discharge or blurred vision. Contact our office for further instructions.
If you are having cold or flu symptoms, do not wear your contact lenses.
Unless otherwise notified, do not sleep in your contact lenses. Should you fall asleep, allow your eyes to hydrate after awakening (artificial tears may be used over the lenses to aid hydration). Do not remove the lenses until proper hydration has been achieved.
Do not insert a damaged contact lens into your eye. If you notice a nick, tear or deposits on the lens, contact our office for a replacement.
Only use the solution recommended by your doctor. Some solutions are not interchangeable for your lens type or your eyes and may cause a serious eye reaction.
Always use fresh solution for cleaning and storage of your lenses after each use. Do not re-use solution as old solution will not clean and disinfect your lenses properly. Do not use water or any other liquid to wet or store contact lenses.
Do not touch the solution bottle tip to any surface, since this may cause contamination. Keep the bottle tip tightly closed to prevent further contamination.
After your lenses have been inserted, rinse the contact lens case and screw top lids with warm-hot water and leave open to air dry.

Other Recommendations and Precautions for Successful Contact Lens Wear

Do's

Follow your doctor's recommended wearing and lens replacement schedule. Lens overwear and stretching out a pair of lenses increases the risk of eye infection, discomfort and blurred vision.
Always wash your hands before any lens handling with oil free, fragrance free soap. Dry hands with a lint free towel.
Keep your fingernails short to avoid tearing your contact lenses.
Apply makeup after contact lenses are inserted. Remove makeup after contact lenses are taken out.
Apply hairspray, perfumes/colognes before lens insertion. If lenses are already in, close your eyes to prevent lens contamination.
Wear goggles over your contact lenses during water sports to avoid lens contamination from swimming pool/fresh water contaminants. Alternatively, daily disposable contact lenses can be worn for these activities.
Wear proper sport or safety glasses over contact lenses for certain sporting activities, hobbies or occupations (racquetball, woodworking, painting, etc.)
Have a pair of glasses with your current prescription available for the times you are not wearing your lenses and for emergencies.
Have a pair of non-prescription sunglasses to protect from the sun's ultraviolet rays and wind sensitivity.

Don'ts

Don't use tap water or saliva on your contact lenses as these can be sources of lens contamination.
Don't use any eye drops over your contact lenses unless indicated by your doctor. Medications and preservatives can contaminate your lenses. Specifically, do not use Visine, Murine, and Cleareyes over your lenses.
Don't share your contact lenses or solutions with other wearers.
Avoid wearing lenses in saunas and hot tubs. This is the perfect breeding environment for certain bacteria that may be absorbed by contact lenses, leading to eye infection.
Avoid wearing your contact lenses if you are sick.

Your contact lenses have been designed and fitted to provide you with excellent vision and comfort. If worn and maintained properly, they should provide you with safe, problem-free vision for all your day to day activities.

If you have any questions about your contact lenses, please contact any of our offices for further assistance-we are here to help!