How to Clean Your Contact Lenses

Contact lenses can help make life easy and can be a terrific alternative to traditional eyeglasses. If you have contacts, it's important to keep them clean to help see clearly and to help prevent a possible eye infection. With proper cleaning, your contact lenses can last longer, and you can help protect your eyes from irritation. Read on to learn more about how to clean contact lenses as well as some helpful tips and advice.

Substitutes for Contact Lens Solution

Most contacts require a special cleaning solution that will help sanitize and clean the lenses. However, there are some people who want to try alternatives to traditional cleaning solutions you can find at any drugstore. Ideally, you should never try a DIY contact lens solution, as this may cause eye problems. Always use specific contact solutions made for your lenses, and never try to wet your lenses by putting them in your mouth to clean them.

Can You Put Contacts in Water?

If you've run out of contact lens solution, you might think that rinsing them in water will do the trick. Unfortunately, tap water can contain dangerous bacteria and other microorganisms that could cause an eye infection. Never rinse your contact lenses in water, even if it's purified. Certain species of bacteria can cause serious damage to your eyes, so it's best to either use your solution or dispose of your contacts and start fresh with a new pair.

Can You Use Eye Drops as a Contact Solution?

Eye drops are designed to help your eyes, but not your contact lenses. You can use eye drops to help soothe redness and irritation and help to deliver moisture to your eyes. However, eye drops should not be used as a contact cleaning solution. The drops are not designed to remove protein buildup from your lenses, and they could even cause the contacts to become dirtier. Only use eye drops for their designated purpose, and don't attempt to use them as a substitute for your regular contact solution.

What to do if you don't have contact solution

If you run out of contact solution, don't panic. You can find this product at almost any drugstore or your local mass merchandiser. Your eye doctor may also carry a contact solution and can sell it to you directly. If you still cannot access a bottle of solution, it's best to reuse any leftover solution you have rather than running your contacts under the faucet or using your saliva. Never attempt to make a DIY solution to clean your lenses. When it comes down to the wire, simply wait until you can get your hands on a new bottle of contact solution. Stock up on contact solution so you'll always have plenty close at hand when you need it.