How to Properly Clean Your Contact Lenses

Do you wear contacts on a daily basis? Did you know that if you don’t properly clean your contacts, you could be at risk for an eye infection? I was planning to blog about the latest trend of circle lenses in Asia, but decided to start off with a quick intro to keeping your contacts clean and thus, keeping your eyes happy! =) I will post about circle lenses when my mom comes back from Asia with my contacts.

I’ve been wearing contacts for about 10 years now. The reason I don’t wear glasses is not because I don’t think they look good, but they just always slide down my face since I don’t have a high nose bridge. (Ah, the hardships of being asian…) I haven’t really ever had a problem with contacts until this past year. I was prescribed a new set of contacts that was to be changed every year rather than every month. My eyes started to get irritated on a daily basis and I eventually went to see one of the eye doctors at work.

Turns out that the multi-purpose saline solution I use to clean my contacts wasn’t enough to break down the protein buildup. It was then that I was introduced to Clear Care by my optometrist.



From their website: “Clear Care uses hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and bacteria that cause eye infections. Clear Care works with its special lens case to create a bubbling action which actively cleans and removes protein from your lenses so the lenses feel more comfortable.”

I wanted to do a short tutorial on how to use Clear Care since I know a lot of people aren’t familiar with this type of care for contacts. I certainly didn’t know about it until my optometrist told me about it.



Each box comes with a bottle of solution and a special type of lens case (as shown above).



The metallic wheel is what neutralizes the hydrogen peroxide and the “basket” is where your each contact lens goes. (they are marked L and R)



After you have placed your contacts in the special lens holder, fill the clear container with Clear Care solution up to the marked line.



Then all that’s left to do is to put the lens holder in the cup, screw it shut, and let the solution do its work! Be sure to let it sit for at least 6 hours or else burning/stinging will occur. The solution needs at least 6 hours to neutralize.

Some safety tips to keep in mind: [also from their website]

• Never use Clear Care with a regular flat lens case. Clear Care only works with the special lens case provided.
• A fresh lens case is included FREE in each package of Clear Care. Always use the new Clear Care lens case when you open a new package.
• Keep your lenses in the Clear Care lens case for at least 6 hours. The solution needs time to neutralize – making it safe for you to insert your lenses.
• Never rinse lenses with Clear Care prior to inserting lenses into your eyes. Clear Care is a powerful cleaning and disinfecting solution that will burn and sting your eyes unless neutralized properly. If you want to rinse lenses, use a sterile saline solution.
• Never squirt Clear Care directly into your eyes.

Clear Care works for all types of soft contact lenses (daily disposable, weekly, colored, etc). I used to use Clear Care once a week to remove protein buildup from my contacts but now I use it every day. We only have one set of eyes and I’d rather play it safe and make sure my contacts are bacteria-free, than to lose my eye sight in case of a severe eye infection. Plus, after the protein is removed, the contacts are much more comfortable against your eyes – almost like wearing a brand new pair!

Hope this helped for all those contact wearers out there! I’ll be back soon with a post on newest fashion trend in Asia – Circle Lenses!