Tips To Avoid Eye Infection From Contacts

Contact lenses are amazingtiny, invisible vision upgrades that make glasses optional and dramatic
sunglasses an everyday personality trait. But they’re also a medical device that sits directly on
your eye, which means they demand something rare in modern life: consistent good habits.

The good news? Most contact lens–related eye infections are preventable. The not-so-good news?
The germs are counting on you to “just rinse it real quick” and move on with your day.
Let’s ruin their plans.

Why Contact Lenses Can Lead to Infections (And Why That’s Not a Personal Attack)

Your cornea (the clear front surface of your eye) likes oxygen, cleanliness, and not being
marinated in mystery water. Contacts can increase infection risk when they:

• Reduce oxygen flowespecially if worn too long or while sleeping
• Trap microbes against the eye (a contact lens is basically a clingy roommate)
• Pick up contaminants from hands, water, makeup, cases, or old solution
• Create tiny surface irritation that makes it easier for germs to get comfortable

Infections can range from mild irritation to more serious corneal infections (keratitis) that
require urgent care. Prevention is the whole game.

The Big Rules: Your “No-Regrets” Contact Lens Safety Checklist

1) Wash your hands like you’re about to perform eye surgery (because… kind of)

Before you touch lenses, wash with soap and water, rinse well, and dry with a clean, lint-free towel.
Wet hands transfer water and microbes; fluffy towels shed fibers that can cling to lenses.

• Do: Keep nails short/clean if possible (gunk hides under nails).
• Don’t: Handle lenses right after using lotions, sunscreen, or hair products.
• Tip: If you use hand sanitizer, still wash with soap/water before lensessanitizer isn’t a “debris remover.”

2) Keep contacts away from water. All water. Yes, even “clean” water

Water (tap, bottled, distilled, pool, lake, hot tub, shower) can contain microorganisms that don’t belong
anywhere near your contact lens. Contacts can trap those microbes against your eye, increasing risk.

• Remove lenses before showering, swimming, hot tubs, and water sports.
• If water hits your eyes while wearing lenses, remove them ASAP, clean/disinfect properly, and consider switching to a fresh pair if you have dailies.
• Never rinse or store lenses in water. Ever.

If you’re a “but I only take quick showers” person: germs don’t use stopwatches.

3) Don’t sleep in your contacts (unless your eye doctor specifically prescribed it)

Sleeping in lenses is a top risk factor for infection because closed eyes already reduce oxygen, and lenses
reduce it further. Even “just a nap” can leave your eyes dry and irritatedmaking infections more likely.

• Rule of thumb: If you’re yawning, your contacts should be leaving soon.
• If you accidentally sleep in them, remove them as soon as comfortable, give your eyes a glasses-only day, and monitor for redness/pain/light sensitivity.

4) Follow the replacement scheduleyour lenses are not “suggestion-based”

Wearing lenses past their intended lifespan allows deposits and microbes to build up. Daily, biweekly, and monthly
lenses each have their own “retirement plan.” Don’t cancel it.

• Set a phone reminder for replacement day.
• Don’t “stretch” a monthly lens into a six-week lens because it “still feels fine.”
• Never reuse daily disposables.

5) Use fresh disinfecting solution every timeno topping off

Reusing or “topping off” old solution dilutes disinfecting power and can let microbes thrive.
Always empty the case, rinse it properly (with solution, not water), and refill with fresh solution.

• Check expiration dates on solution bottles.
• Don’t let the bottle tip touch your hands, lenses, or countertops.
• Use the solution recommended by your eye care provider.

6) Rub and rinse your lenseseven if your solution says “no-rub”

A gentle rub-and-rinse removes deposits and microorganisms more effectively than soaking alone.
Think of it as brushing your teeth instead of just soaking your toothbrush in mouthwash.

1. Place lens in palm, add a few drops of solution.
2. Gently rub both sides with a clean finger for the time recommended on your solution label.
3. Rinse with solution, then store in fresh solution to disinfect.

7) Treat your contact lens case like a toothbrush holdernot a science experiment

Cases get contaminated easily. A dirty case can re-contaminate clean lenses.

• After inserting lenses, empty the case completely.
• Rinse the case with contact lens solution (not water), then rub the wells with clean fingers.
• Wipe with a clean tissue if recommended, and air-dry upside down with caps off.
• Replace the case at least every 3 months (or sooner if cracked/discolored).

A Simple Daily Routine That Actually Works

Morning (30 seconds, tops)

• Wash + dry hands completely.
• Insert lenses before makeup/hairspray (so products don’t end up on the lens).
• If eyes feel dry, use rewetting drops approved for contacts (not random drops).

Night (2–3 minutes that protect your eyesight)

1. Wash + dry hands.
2. Remove lenses before washing your face (avoid cleanser residue).
3. Rub + rinse each lens with solution.
4. Store in a clean case with fresh solution (no topping off).
5. Clean the case and leave it to air-dry.

Situations Where People “Accidentally” Get Into Trouble (And How to Avoid It)

At the gym

• Wash hands before touching lensesgym equipment is basically a germ networking event.
• Bring backup glasses for windy outdoor workouts or dusty environments.
• Avoid rinsing lenses in a sink “just this once.”

Travel and airplanes

• Pack a small lens care kit: solution, case, travel-sized soap, lint-free towel, backup glasses.
• Airplane air is dry; rewetting drops may help, but don’t “overwear” lenses because you forgot your glasses.
• If you’re exhausted: choose glasses over “sleeping in contacts on the flight.”

Makeup and skincare

Eye makeup can flake into the eye; skincare oils can coat lenses. Safer habits:

• Insert lenses before makeup; remove lenses before removing makeup.
• Replace eye makeup regularly (especially mascara) and never share cosmetics.
• If you get irritation, pause contacts and simplify products until you identify the culprit.

Cold/flu season and allergies

• If your eyes are red/itchy, consider glasses for a few days to reduce irritation.
• Don’t touch your eyes after blowing your nose or wiping your facewash hands first.
• If you have a contagious eye infection, stop wearing contacts and follow clinician guidance.

Common Mistakes (A.K.A. The Contact Lens Hall of Fame, But Bad)

• “I rinsed it with water.” Water is not lens solution. It never has been.
• “I topped off the solution.” Old solution is not a fine wine. Don’t age it.
• “I wore dailies twice.” The ‘daily’ part was doing important work there.
• “I slept in them once.” Infections love “once.”
• “My case is… vintage.” Replace it. It’s not a collectible.
• “I bought decorative lenses online, no prescription.” Don’t. Use properly prescribed lenses from legal sellers.

When to Stop Wearing Contacts and Get Help

Take symptoms seriously. Remove your contacts and contact an eye care professional promptly if you notice:

• Eye pain (especially worsening or sharp)
• Significant redness
• Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision that doesn’t improve after removing lenses
• Discharge, swelling, or the feeling that something is “stuck” in the eye

If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, treat it as urgent. And don’t “wait it out” while still wearing lenses.
Your eyes deserve better plot armor.

FAQ: Quick Answers That Save You From Bad Decisions

Are daily disposables safer?

For many people, yesbecause you start fresh each day and avoid case-related contamination. They don’t make you invincible,
but they can reduce opportunities for germs to build up.

Can I use saliva if my lens feels dry?

No. Saliva contains bacteria. Use sterile rewetting drops made for contact lenses or remove the lens and clean it properly.

What about “extended wear” lenses?

Some lenses are approved for overnight wear, but the risk of infection still goes up with sleeping in lenses.
Only do this if your eye care provider specifically recommends it for youand follow their rules exactly.

Should I keep a backup pair of glasses?

Absolutely. Backup glasses turn “my eye feels irritated” into a manageable day instead of a risky decision spiral.

Real-World Experiences: Lessons People Learn the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)

The stories below are based on common situations contact lens wearers frequently describe to eye care clinicians and in
everyday life. No drama, no horrorjust the kind of “oh… that’s how it happens” moments that turn into better habits.

Experience #1: The “Quick Shower” That Wasn’t Worth It

A lot of people admit they’ve showered in contacts because it feels harmlessno swimming, no hot tub, just soap and water.
The problem is that shower water can splash into your eyes, and lenses can trap whatever comes along for the ride.
One wearer described a pattern: they’d shower with contacts, then notice mild irritation later that day. Nothing dramatic,
so they kept doing it. Eventually, irritation turned into persistent redness and discomfort. The fix wasn’t magicalit was
boring and effective: glasses for showers, contacts after. They also started carrying a small lens case so if they forgot,
they could remove lenses safely instead of “powering through.” The lesson: water exposure is sneaky, and “quick” doesn’t mean “safe.”

Experience #2: The Case That Looked Clean (But Was Definitely Not)

People often treat the contact lens case as a permanent accessorylike it came with the phone and is now part of the family.
One common story: someone cleaned their lenses carefully but never replaced the case, and they’d “rinse it out” with tap water
because it seemed logical. Over time, they started getting repeated irritationespecially in one eye. Once they replaced the case,
switched to rinsing with disinfecting solution only, and let the case air-dry properly, the recurring irritation stopped.
The surprising part for them wasn’t that germs exist; it was that a clean lens placed into a contaminated case can become
“unclean” again. The lesson: your case is part of your hygiene routine, not just a storage box.

Experience #3: The “I’ll Just Nap for 20 Minutes” Trap

Nearly every contact lens wearer has underestimated a nap. One person described lying down “for a second” and waking up two hours
later with dry, irritated eyes and lenses that felt glued on. They tugged them out (not ideal), and the next day their eyes were
still angry. They switched to glasses for the day, used lubricating drops recommended for contacts, and booked an eye check when
symptoms didn’t fully calm down. After that, they set a simple rule: if they’re tired enough to lie down, they’re tired enough
to remove contacts first. The lesson: sleeping in lenses doesn’t always cause an infection, but it reliably increases the odds of
irritationand irritation is an invitation for bigger problems.

Experience #4: The Solution “Shortcut” That Backfired

“Topping off” old solution is one of the most common confessions. People do it because it saves a few seconds and feels efficient.
One wearer realized they were doing it during a busy stretchlate nights, early mornings, lots of “good enough.”
Then came the cycle: lenses felt gritty, eyes felt dry, and they started blaming the brand of contacts. When they finally got strict
about fresh solution every single timeemptying the case completely, cleaning it, and refilling with new solutionthe gritty feeling
improved. They didn’t need a new lens brand; they needed a better routine. The lesson: disinfecting solution only disinfects when you
actually let it do its job at full strength.

Experience #5: Makeup, Contacts, and the Mystery of the Itchy Eye

A surprisingly common experience is “my contacts suddenly irritate my eyes,” especially after switching mascara, eyeliner, or skincare.
One person noticed itchiness and blurry vision that came and went. They eventually connected it to applying makeup first, then inserting
contactsso tiny product particles ended up on the lens. They flipped the order: contacts first, then makeup. They also replaced old eye
makeup and avoided applying liner on the inner lash line. The result was simple: fewer flakes, fewer irritated days.
The lesson: cosmetic hygiene matters more when you wear contacts, because lenses can hold onto whatever gets near your eyes.

Experience #6: The “I Didn’t Want to Waste a Pair” Decision

Some people keep wearing lenses when their eyes feel off because they don’t want to waste a pairespecially with dailies.
One wearer described pushing through mild redness during allergy season. It escalated to stronger irritation, and they had to stop wearing
contacts for several days anyway. After that, they built a smarter mindset: a single pair of lenses is cheaper than an urgent eye visit
(and dramatically cheaper than risking vision problems). They started carrying backup glasses and giving their eyes a break on high-allergen
days. The lesson: the most expensive contacts are the ones you wear when you shouldn’t.

The theme across these experiences is reassuring: prevention isn’t complicatedit’s consistent. The habits that feel “extra” at first
become effortless, and your eyes stay calm, clear, and drama-free. That’s the goal: vision correction, not a thriller plot.

Conclusion: Protect Your Eyes With Boring, Powerful Habits

If you remember nothing else: clean hands, no water, no sleeping in lenses, fresh solution, rub-and-rinse, and a clean case replaced
every few months. Combine those habits with the right replacement schedule and prompt attention to symptoms, and you’ve dramatically lowered
your risk of an eye infection from contactswithout giving up the convenience you love.