Cleaning and storing white contact lenses are crucial for maintaining their clarity, hygiene, and longevity. Proper care ensures that your white contact lenses remain comfortable and safe to wear.
Wash Your Hands: Before handling your white contact lenses, always wash your hands with mild soap and water. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free towel. Clean hands prevent transferring dirt, oils, and bacteria onto your lenses.
Prepare Cleaning Solution: Use a multipurpose contact lens solution recommended by your eye care professional. Avoid using water or homemade solutions, as they may contain harmful microorganisms. Fill your lens case with a fresh solution to ensure proper disinfection.
Remove Lenses Carefully: Gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger and carefully remove it from your eye. Avoid using excessive force to prevent tearing or damaging the lens. Place the lens in the palm of your hand or on a clean surface.
Clean the Lenses: Place the lens in the palm of your hand and apply a few drops of the contact lens solution. Gently rub the lens with your fingertip in a circular motion for about 20 seconds. This helps to remove protein deposits, debris, and other contaminants that can build up on the lens surface.
Rinse Thoroughly: After cleaning, rinse the lens thoroughly with the contact lens solution to remove any loosened debris and residue. Ensure that no soap or cleaning solution remains on the lens, as this can cause irritation when reinserted into the eye.
Disinfect the Lenses: Place the cleaned lens in the appropriate compartment of your contact lens case and fill it with fresh contact lens solution. Close the case tightly to prevent contamination and allow the lenses to soak for the recommended amount of time. This typically ranges from 4 to 6 hours or overnight, depending on the type of solution used.
Repeat for the Second Lens: Follow the same cleaning and disinfection process for the second lens, ensuring that each lens is handled separately to avoid mixing them up.
Inspect for Damage: Before reinserting your white contact lenses, carefully inspect them for any signs of damage, such as tears, scratches, or warping. Damaged lenses should not be worn, as they can cause discomfort and potential injury to the eye.
Store Properly: Once both lenses are cleaned and disinfected, store them in a clean contact lens case. Replace the case regularly to prevent bacterial growth and contamination. Store the case in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Replace Regularly: Follow your eye care professional’s recommendations for replacing your white contact lenses. Even with proper cleaning and storage, lenses degrade over time and should be replaced at specified interval to maintain optimal vision and eye health.