Contact lenses can be safe and effective in helping people see more clearly. However, when used improperly, they can cause serious eye and vision problems, including corneal ulcers and potentially blinding infections. Prevent Blindness shares ways for people to protect their eyes through proper contact lens care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all contact lenses as prescription medical devices. It is illegal for anyone to sell contact lenses without a prescription from an eye care professional. The FDA reminds the public that consumers need a prescription for all contact lenses, including decorative or cosmetic contacts, even if the user has perfect vision.

Improper contact lens use can put people at risk of contracting keratitis, a painful eye infection, or acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe, painful infection of the cornea. The two biggest risk factors for acanthamoeba keratitisare are poor lens hygiene and exposure to water while wearing lenses. In the most extreme cases, a corneal transplant is necessary.

The best way to avoid eye infections is to follow proper lens care guidelines as prescribed by an eye care professional. Prevent Blindness offered several tips for safe contact lens care. Before handling contact lenses, hands should be washed with soap and water, then rinsed and dried with a lint-free towel. Contact with water should be minimized, including removing lenses before going swimming or getting into a hot tub. Contact lenses should not be rinsed with or stored in either tap water or sterile water.

Contact lenses should be worn and replaced according to the schedule prescribed by an eye care professional. During cleaning, using fresh solution, contact lenses should be rubbed with the fingers, then rinsed with solution before being soaked - even if the solution being used is a "no-rub" variety. Contact lens cases should always be cleaned with fresh solution, not water. The empty case should be left open to air dry. Lenses should never be put in the mouth, and saliva should never be put on lenses as saliva is not sterile. Lenses should never be shared with others.

Contact lens wearers should not reuse old solution or top off the solution in their lens case. Cracked or damaged lens cases should not be used. Lens cases can be a source of contamination and infection. If any eye or vision problems are experienced, the contact lenses should be removed, and an eye care professional should be contacted immediately.

For more information on contact lens safety, visit https://preventblindness.org/wearing-contact-lenses/.