Want to make the most of your contact lenses? For great vision and healthy, comfortable contact lens wear, keep these guidelines in mind: Listen to your eye care practitioner's advice:

• Wear your contacts only for the length of time recommended, even if they feel comfortable.
• Remove, clean and disinfect your lenses at the intervals prescribed.
• See your eye care practitioner for regular check-ups.
• Don't sleep or nap while wearing your contacts unless your practitioner says it's O.K.
• Don't use any eye medications without practitioner approval.
• Make cleanliness a habit, before touching your lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse completely and dry with a lint-free towel.
• Apply eye cosmetics after you insert your lenses.
• Remove cosmetics after you remove your lenses. Water-based cosmetics are less likely to damage lenses than oil-based products.
• Avoid excessive handling of your lenses.
• Protect your solutions from contamination: Close bottles tightly and never touch the dispensing spouts to any surface.
• Never re-use solutions.
• Never swim while wearing your contacts. Chances are they'll be lost. If they're not, they may become contaminated.
• Do not get lotions, creams or sprays in your eyes or on your lenses.
• Avoid wearing lenses in the presence of chemicals, unusual air pollution, intense heat (hair dryer) or when swimming.
• Throw away disposable and frequent or planned replacement lenses after the recommended wearing period.
• Don't use expired products.
• Never skip steps in lens care. Cleaning is not enough.