How to Clean Hard and Soft Contact Lenses

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Rate: (9 Ratings)

If you're one of the estimated 18 million people in the United States who wears contact lenses, be sure to clean your lenses properly. It's an important process that will help you avoid eye infections.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Soft Contact Lenses

Step1
Wash your hands.
Step2
Remove right or left contact lens and place in center of palm.
Step3
Add 3 or 4 drops of multipurpose cleaning solution to surface of lens.
Step4
Using the index finger of the opposite hand, gently rub the solution into lens for about 30 seconds.
Step5
Rinse lens with multipurpose cleaning solution, place lens in case and then fill case with cleaning solution.
Step6
Repeat for other contact lens.

Hard Contact Lenses

Step1
Wash your hands.
Step2
Remove your right or left contact lens and place in center of palm.
Step3
Add 2 to 4 drops of hard contact lens cleaning solution to surface of lens.
Step4
Using the index finger of the opposite hand, gently rub solution into lens for about 30 seconds.
Step5
Carefully rinse lens thoroughly with fresh tap water, place lens in lens case and then fill lens case with hard contact lens conditioning solution.
Step6
Repeat with other contact lens.

Tips & Warnings

  • Cleaner will irritate eyes unless rinsed thoroughly. If cleaner does get into your eyes, immediately remove lenses and flush eyes with water.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/21/2006 Do not rub the lens between finger and thumb when cleaning, this action is likely to result in a split or warped lens.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/21/2006 The instructions above say to put the lens in the case and then fill with solution. The lens surface can be damaged if it is dropped into a case in this manner. It is much better to fill the case first, and then pop the lens in, making sure it sinks to the bottom and is covered by the solution.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/21/2006 Do not use moisturizing soaps to wash your hands prior to rubbing lenses. Some moisturizer will remain on your hands after rinsing and is not good for the contact lenses. Use a plain ordinary soap or one with as few extras as possible.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 First of all, wash your hands with mild soap and dry before touching your contact lens in anyways. Have a daily routine of cleaning your lens'. Wash your lens case frequently with boiling water. This is very easy; just boil some water and let it cool for the case, not that cool, just cool enough for the case dip it in then put it out and with your fingers, scrub it again, put it in water and rinse. That is what I do makes my lens safe and pure.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Make sure that you clean your contacts frequently, even if you change them weekly. I haven't been so good about cleaning mine and now I have what is called a sterile ulcer on my eye.

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eHow Article:  How to Clean Hard and Soft Contact Lenses

eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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