How to Care for Your Contact Lenses (Without Wrecking Your Eyes)
Contact lenses are wonderfully convenient. They are also medical devices that sit directly on the surface of your eye.
That means the little things matter: the way you wash your hands, what touches your lenses, which solution you use, how often you replace your case, and whether you stretch a “two-week” lens into week four.
The good news? Healthy contact lens care does not need to be complicated.
You just need the right habits and the right products for your specific type of lens.
First: Not Every Bottle Near Your Contacts Does the Same Job
This is where contact lens care gets confusing.
A multipurpose disinfecting solution, hydrogen peroxide system, preservative-free saline, rigid-lens care solution, and periodic deep cleaner may all sit in the same eye-care cabinet, but they are not interchangeable.
The product you need depends heavily on whether you wear:
- Daily disposable soft lenses
- Reusable soft lenses
- Rigid gas permeable lenses
- Scleral lenses
- Hybrid lenses
- Ortho-K lenses
Your eye doctor should determine your lens-care system. Once you know what they recommend, stick with it rather than randomly swapping products based on what happens to be in the bathroom cabinet.
1. Wash AND Dry Your Hands Before Touching Your Lenses
Yes, both matter.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before inserting, removing, or handling your lenses. Then dry them completely with a clean cloth or lint-free towel.
Handling contacts with wet hands can introduce water and whatever happens to be in it directly to the lens.
And speaking of water...
2. Your Contacts and Tap Water Are Not Friends
Do not rinse contact lenses with tap water.
Do not store them in water.
Remove contacts before:
- Showering
- Swimming
- Using a hot tub
Water is not sterile. Contact lenses can trap microorganisms against the surface of the eye, increasing the risk of infection.
And remember: sterile saline is not the same thing as tap water, but saline also does not replace a proper disinfecting system.
3. Reusable Soft Lenses Need an Actual Disinfecting System
Reusable lenses need more than a quick rinse.
They need to be cleaned, disinfected, stored, and replaced according to the schedule recommended by your eye doctor and the instructions for your lens-care system.
For many soft contact lens wearers, that means a multipurpose contact lens solution.
Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution
Biotrue is a multipurpose lens-care solution for compatible soft contact lenses. Multipurpose systems are designed to combine important care steps such as cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing reusable soft lenses.
If your eye doctor has recommended a traditional multipurpose care system, this is the type of product you need rather than plain saline.
Shop Biotrue →4. Want a Preservative-Free Disinfection System? Ask About Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide-based systems are another option for cleaning and disinfecting compatible reusable contact lenses.
They are generally preservative-free, which can make them worth discussing with your eye doctor if you are sensitive to preservatives found in some multipurpose solutions.
But there is one huge rule:
Never put unneutralized hydrogen peroxide solution directly into your eye.
Hydrogen peroxide systems must be used exactly as directed and allowed to fully neutralize using the special case provided with the system.
Do not use unneutralized peroxide like saline, a rewetting drop, or a quick rinse before putting the lens in your eye.
Clear Care 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Clear Care is a hydrogen peroxide lens-care system designed to clean and disinfect compatible contact lenses. Its special case neutralizes the peroxide during the required soaking period.
Always use the case provided with the system and allow the full neutralization time listed on the package.
Shop Clear Care →5. RGP, Scleral, Hybrid, and Ortho-K Lenses Can Have Different Care Needs
This is where grabbing someone else's contact solution becomes an especially bad idea.
Specialty lenses may have specific material, coating, cleaning, conditioning, storage, and disinfection requirements.
RGP Lens Care
Unique pH
Unique pH is designed for rigid gas permeable lenses. It cleans, conditions, and disinfects RGP lenses and can also be used for storage according to the product directions.
Unique pH is also listed as compatible with Tangible Hydra-PEG-coated lenses.
Shop Unique pH →
Multi-Purpose Specialty Care
Tangible Clean
Tangible Clean is a multipurpose contact lens solution that can clean, rinse, disinfect, condition, and store compatible soft, RGP, scleral, and hybrid lenses.
It is particularly useful for Tangible Hydra-PEG-coated lenses because it is specifically listed as coating-compatible.
It is not a scleral filling solution.
Shop Tangible Clean →6. Scleral Wearers: Filling Solution Is NOT Disinfecting Solution
If you wear scleral lenses, your routine may include a completely separate product: sterile, preservative-free saline used to rinse and fill the lens bowl before insertion.
That filling saline does not replace your overnight cleaning and disinfection system.
LacriPure Preservative-Free Saline
LacriPure is sterile, preservative-free 0.9% saline designed for rinsing soft, RGP, and hybrid contact lenses before insertion. It is also suitable for filling scleral lenses before insertion.
LacriPure should not be used to store contact lenses. Your lenses still need the appropriate cleaning and disinfecting system.
Shop LacriPure →
AddiPak Saline
Some specialty lens patients use unit-dose AddiPak saline as part of a scleral lens routine when instructed by their eye care provider.
AddiPak is marketed as sterile saline for inhalation rather than specifically as an ophthalmic scleral filling product, so use it for lens filling only if your eye doctor has specifically recommended it for you.
Shop AddiPak →7. Protein and Deposits Can Build Up on Rigid Lenses
Even when lenses are cleaned every day, some rigid gas permeable lenses benefit from a periodic deeper cleaning step to address deposits.
That does not mean reaching for the strongest cleaner whenever a lens looks cloudy. Use only products that are appropriate for your lens material and surface treatment.
Menicon Progent
Progent is a deep-cleaning system for rigid gas permeable lenses that removes protein, lipid, and other deposits. Menicon recommends biweekly use for RGP lenses worn daily, with a 30-minute treatment time.
It is not a daily multipurpose solution and should never be placed directly into the eye.
Have Tangible Hydra-PEG-coated lenses? Progent is listed by Tangible Science as incompatible with the Hydra-PEG coating. Use only care products your eye doctor confirms are compatible with your coated lenses.
Running Low?
Don't Wait Until Tonight to Realize You're Out of Contact Lens Solution.
Your lens-care routine is much easier when everything your eye doctor recommended is already waiting at home. Restock the products your lenses actually need before the bottle hits empty.
Restock Your Contact Lens Routine →8. Fresh Solution Means Fresh Solution
If you use a reusable lens-care system, do not pour new disinfecting solution on top of yesterday's solution.
Empty the old solution and use fresh disinfecting solution every time you store your lenses.
“Topping off” old solution can reduce the effectiveness of the disinfection process.
9. Your Contact Lens Case Needs Care Too
Your lenses are not the only part of the routine that needs to stay clean.
For standard reusable lens cases, CDC recommends rubbing and rinsing the case with fresh contact lens solution, avoiding water, emptying excess solution, drying with a clean tissue, and storing it upside down with the caps off.
Replace a standard contact lens case at least every three months, or sooner if your eye care provider or product instructions recommend it.
If you use a specialized hydrogen peroxide system, use the special case supplied with each new bottle and follow that product's specific instructions.
10. Stop Stretching Your Replacement Schedule
A daily disposable is not a “maybe I'll wear it tomorrow too” lens.
A two-week or monthly lens also does not become a six-week lens just because it still looks okay.
Replace your contacts according to the schedule prescribed by your eye doctor.
If you wear daily disposable lenses, use a fresh pair for each wearing period and discard them after removal. They are not designed to be cleaned and reused.
11. Do Not Sleep in Your Contacts Unless Your Eye Doctor Has Specifically Approved It
Falling asleep on the couch still counts.
Unless your eye doctor has specifically directed you to wear your lenses overnight, take them out before sleeping or napping.
12. If Your Eye Is Angry, Take the Lens Out
Contact lens discomfort is not something you should automatically power through.
Remove your lenses and contact your eye care provider if you experience symptoms such as:
- Significant redness
- Eye pain
- Light sensitivity
- Unusual discharge
- Sudden or persistent blurry vision
- A feeling that something is stuck in the eye
- Discomfort that continues after removing the lens
And keep a pair of current glasses nearby. Sometimes the healthiest decision for your contact lenses is not wearing them.
Your Contact Lens Care Checklist
- Wash and completely dry your hands before touching contacts.
- Keep contact lenses away from tap water.
- Remove lenses before swimming, showering, or using a hot tub.
- Use the cleaning and disinfecting system recommended for your exact lens type.
- Never substitute plain saline for disinfecting solution.
- Use fresh disinfecting solution rather than topping off old solution.
- Rub and rinse reusable lenses as directed by your care system.
- Clean, dry, and replace standard contact lens cases appropriately.
- Use scleral filling saline only as directed.
- Never put unneutralized hydrogen peroxide directly into your eye.
- Replace contacts on the prescribed schedule.
- Do not sleep in lenses unless your eye doctor has approved overnight wear.
- Carry backup glasses.
- Remove your contacts and call your eye doctor when something does not feel right.
The Bottom Line
Good contact lens care is not about owning the largest collection of bottles under your bathroom sink.
It is about knowing what each product actually does and using the right one, the right way, every time.
Your reusable soft lenses may need a multipurpose disinfecting solution. A peroxide system has to neutralize completely. Your specialty lenses may require their own compatible care system. Scleral filling saline does not disinfect. And water has no place in your routine.
When in doubt, follow the routine your eye doctor prescribed instead of improvising.
Contact Lens Care FAQs
Still have questions? These are some of the most common contact lens care questions.
Can I use saline instead of contact lens solution?
Not for disinfection. Saline can be useful for rinsing compatible lenses or filling scleral lenses, depending on the product and your doctor's instructions, but saline does not replace the disinfecting system required for reusable lenses.
Can I rinse my contacts with tap water?
No. Contact lenses should be kept away from tap water. Do not rinse or store them in water, and remove your lenses before showering, swimming, or using a hot tub.
What's the difference between saline and multipurpose contact lens solution?
Multipurpose contact lens solutions are designed to perform several lens-care steps, including cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing compatible reusable lenses. Saline does not disinfect lenses.
Can I put Clear Care directly in my eye?
No. Clear Care contains hydrogen peroxide and must fully neutralize in the special case provided with the system before the lenses go back into your eyes. Never use unneutralized peroxide as a rewetting drop or quick rinse.
Can I wear daily contacts more than once?
Daily disposable lenses are designed for a single wearing period. Once removed, they should be discarded rather than cleaned, stored, and worn again.
Can I sleep in my contact lenses?
Only if your eye care provider has specifically directed you to wear your particular lenses overnight. Otherwise, remove your contacts before sleeping or napping.
How often should I replace my contact lens case?
CDC recommends replacing a standard contact lens case at least every three months. Follow the instructions for your particular lens-care system, since specialized systems such as hydrogen peroxide products have their own case requirements.
What solution should I use for scleral lenses?
Scleral lens routines commonly involve more than one product. You may use one system for cleaning and disinfecting the lens and a separate sterile, preservative-free saline for filling the lens before insertion. Follow the specific routine prescribed by your eye doctor.
Can Tangible Clean be used to fill a scleral lens?
No. Tangible Clean can clean, rinse, disinfect, condition, and store compatible lenses, but it should not be used as the saline that fills the bowl of a scleral lens before insertion.
Can I use Progent on Hydra-PEG-coated lenses?
Tangible Science lists Progent as incompatible with Tangible Hydra-PEG-coated lenses. If your specialty lenses have a surface coating, confirm every cleaner and solution with your eye doctor before using it.
Where can I buy contact lens solutions and specialty lens supplies?
Peeq Pro carries lens-care products for soft, RGP, scleral, hybrid, and Ortho-K routines, including Biotrue, Clear Care, Unique pH, Tangible Clean, LacriPure, AddiPak, Progent, and more.
Your Routine, Restocked
Have the Right Products Ready Before Your Contacts Need Them.
From Biotrue and Clear Care to Unique pH, Tangible Clean, LacriPure, AddiPak, and Progent, find the products that fit the contact lens routine your eye doctor recommended.
Shop Contact Lens Care at Peeq Pro →