How to clean your lenses

Clean and store your lenses properly and you will be rewarded with healthier eyes and more comfortable lens wear. Your lens care system -- the group of cleaning and disinfecting products your practitioner recommends at the time you are fitted for contact lenses -- has been selected based on the type of lenses prescribed and your lifestyle. Since the solutions within the system are designed to work together, it is critical to use only the recommended products -- and to use them as directed. Each time you remove your contacts:

• Wash and dry your hands.
• Place the lens in the palm of your hand.
• Squeeze several drops of cleaning solution into your palm.
• Rub both sides of the lens in the cleaner in a straight back-and-forth motion for 20 to 30 seconds. Or, put several drops of cleaning solution on the lens and rub it between your thumb and forefinger for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Rinse the cleaning solution off the lens with sterile saline or wetting solution.

Using enzyme cleaning solutions

Your eye care practitioner will tell you if you need to use enzyme cleaner. This cleaner helps remove protein deposits from the lenses. Soak your lenses in the enzyme solution for the appropriate length of time. Clean and disinfect the lenses before wearing them again.

Storing your lenses

If a lens dries out, clean and rinse it with fresh wetting solution before putting it in your eye. Rinse and air-dry your storage case daily and replace it every six months or so.