Philip Walsh - What is the hygienic way to handle and apply contact lenses?

Contact lenses need proper care and maintenance in order to continue to work safely and effectively. It's important to follow the right hygiene tips when touching your contacts in any way, as improper care can result in eye damage.

Before you touch or apply your lenses, make sure you have washed and dried your hands thoroughly to remove any lingering traces of material that could make their way onto the lens. Any time you handle your contact lenses with your fingers, you should take extra care to ensure nothing is transferred onto the lens as this can potentially be carried onto the eye as well – you may want to pay special attention to your fingertips to ensure no smaller towel fibres are left behind.

It's also crucial to keep having regular check-ups with your Specsavers optometrist so your eyes are in the best health they can be.
Take your contact lens out of the case (or the packet, if you are opening a new one for the first time) and inspect it carefully to see whether there are any tears or rips. These can seriously damage your eye if you attempt to insert the lens.  If you do spot any tears or rips, make sure to dispose of the lens and opt for a fresh one.

Never re-use solution in the storage case, and make sure you clean it after every use. You should replace your case with a new one at least every three months, and make sure to keep it open and dry when empty.

You can use lubricating eye drops if your eyes are dry, but you need to make sure these are suitable for use with contacts. These are not a substitute for contact lens solution, and should not be used to disinfect your contacts before wear.

If you do have any questions about how to handle your contact lenses, get in touch with your local Specsavers optometrist for professional advice, by visiting www.specsavers.co.nz.