Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Wearers Make with their Lenses

Wearing contact lenses can be incredibly convenient, but proper care and handling are essential to maintain eye health and ensure visual comfort. Unfortunately, many contact lens wearers make daily mistakes that can lead to irritation, infections, or even long-term vision damage. From sleeping in lenses to not washing hands before handling them, even small oversights can have serious impacts on eye health. Optical Illusions: An Optometric Practice has compiled the list of Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Wearers Make based on our patients at our practices in 2024. Whether you’re a first-time contact lenses user or have been wearing them for decades, this list will help you make healthier decisions when you use your contacts.

While contemplating which of these Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Wearers Make, don’t forget that contact lenses need to be evaluated annually with one of our Board-Certified Optometrists to evaluate the vision, comfort, and fit. If you’ve already had a contact lens eye exam this year, we commend you for taking care of your eyes. Otherwise book an appointment today.

Now, without further ado, here is the countdown ranking of the Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Wearers Make as seen on our patients:

Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Countdown

10. Putting Makeup on Before Contacts

Applying makeup after inserting lenses helps avoid getting particles and debris from getting stuck between the contacts and the cornea. Certain makeup ingredients can cling to lenses, causing irritation or infection if they enter the eye. Choosing hypoallergenic makeup products and replacing eye makeup regularly prevents bacteria buildup. Always remove lenses before taking off makeup, ensuring that particles don’t get transferred to the eyes or lenses.

9. Skipping Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye exams not only check for vision changes but also monitor eye health, lens fit, and potential complications from contact lens wear. Conditions like dry eye, corneal infections, or increased eye pressure can be detected early through routine exams, allowing for timely intervention. Annual visits to an eye care professional ensure that your prescription is up-to-date and that your eyes are healthy.

8. Wearing Expired or Torn Lenses

Expired lenses can lose their structural integrity, making them more prone to tearing and less comfortable to wear. Torn lenses create tiny edges that can scratch the cornea, leading to abrasions or infection. Always discard lenses past their expiration date and inspect lenses for any signs of wear or tear before use. It’s safer to start with a fresh pair than risk discomfort or eye damage.

7. Wearing Contacts While Swimming or Showering

Water in pools, lakes, and showers contains bacteria and other microbes that can cling to lenses and cause infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is particularly difficult to treat. Contacts trap contaminants, allowing them to come into prolonged contact with the eye. For water-related activities, remove lenses beforehand or use prescription goggles to protect eye health.

6. Ignoring Hygiene of the Lens Case

Lens cases are easily contaminated with bacteria if not cleaned properly or replaced. Rinsing the case with fresh solution daily and allowing it to air dry helps reduce microbial growth. Replacing the case every three months also ensures it remains clean and safe for contact storage. Neglecting this step can lead to biofilm development, which increases the risk of severe eye infections.

5. Not Washing Hands Before Insertion/Removal

The hands carry countless bacteria and contaminants that can easily transfer to contact lenses. Inserting lenses without proper handwashing introduces bacteria to the eye, raising the risk of eye infections like conjunctivitis. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and drying them completely before handling lenses prevents contamination and keeps lenses sterile.

4. Reusing Contact Lens Solution

Reusing solution is a common but harmful habit, as it compromises its disinfecting properties. Used solution contains bacteria and other contaminants that reduce its effectiveness, allowing microorganisms to grow on the lens. Fresh solution ensures lenses are thoroughly disinfected each time, significantly lowering the risk of eye infections.

3. Using Tap Water to Clean Lenses

Tap water is not sterile and may contain harmful microorganisms, such as Acanthamoeba, which can cause severe infections if it adheres to lenses. Unlike sterile solutions, tap water lacks disinfecting properties, and the microorganisms it harbors can cling to lenses and lead to corneal ulcers or scarring. Always use sterile contact lens solution, and never rinse lenses with tap water or saliva.

2. Not Replacing Lenses on Schedule

Wearing lenses beyond their recommended replacement period increases the risk of deposits and protein buildup on the lens surface. These deposits reduce oxygen permeability, making the lenses less comfortable and potentially harming eye health. Old lenses can cause redness, irritation, and even corneal infections. Adhering to the replacement schedule, whether daily, biweekly, or monthly, is essential for comfort and eye safety.

1. Sleeping in Contacts

Sleeping in contacts, especially if they’re not designed for overnight use, restricts oxygen flow to the cornea, creating an environment that can lead to corneal infections or inflammation. Overnight wear increases the risk of eye issues, as bacteria can accumulate under the closed eyelid. Even if your lenses are labeled for extended wear, removing them nightly helps keep the eyes oxygenated and reduces the chance of complications like microbial keratitis, or corneal ulcers, which can cause lasting vision damage.

The Top 10 Mistakes Contact Lens List at Optical Illusions

Was the Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Wearers Make list what you were expecting? Do you make any of these mistakes with your contact lenses? Avoiding these The Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes will ensure safer, healthier, and more comfortable contact lens wear, protecting your vision and eye health every day.

There are hundreds of contact lens brands globally, and new brands and variations are constantly being developed. Contact lens manufacturers are always offering a variety of lens types and modalities, including daily disposables, extended wear, toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses, and more. When it comes to contact lenses, wearing them safely and correctly will ensure the most clear vision and best eye health.

Whether you wear contact lenses full time or part time on the weekends, this Top 10 Contact Lens Mistakes Wearers Make list should help you use your contact lenses the most ideal way to keep your eyes healthy and elevate your lifestyle. Don’t forget to consult with one of our Eye Doctors near you to determine which brand and type of contact lenses are best for your eyes.

Ready to find the perfect contact lenses for you? Get refit in the most modern and breathable contacts today and find the perfect set from the Top 10 contact lenses list that matches your style and vision needs. Schedule an appointment with Optical Illusions: An Optometric Practice today: