HHS HealthBeat (November 12, 2012)

A Clean Lens

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Millions of people wear contact lenses. They’re effective and practical but require proper care to avoid eye infections. Follow the instructions of your eye doctor and the companies who make your lenses and lens products whenever you’re cleaning, storing, and using them. Replace your lens case every three months.

Dr. Allison Brown, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has more.

“Be sure to clean, rub, and rinse your lenses.”

Water, even when chlorinated, might contain germs.

“Try not to let tap water touch your lenses. And try to keep them from touching what we call “recreational water” – swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and oceans.”

Always use fresh solution.  Never reuse or mix fresh solution with used solution when cleaning your case or storing lenses.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: December 4, 2012