One of the biggest risks with contact lens care is eye infection. Many people help to minimise this risk by good hygiene, cleaning and replacing lenses often. However the contact lens case is often forgotten. The lens case can harbour both bacteria and viruses which over time can lead to serious eye infections.

A study in the late 90's (ref 1) found that 70% of contact lens cases were contaminated by bacteria, viruses, yeasts, fungi and amoebae! Yuk! These pathogens can adhere to the inside of the contact lens cases and proliferate. Eventually they can build up enough to infect the contact lenses and then your eye is also at risk.

Lens case maintenance

The best way to maintain a healthy contact lens case, is to replace it regularly! Ideally you should aim to replace the case once per month. This is relatively easy as most of the larger 3-month solution packs come with 3 cases. At i-contacts we have now added a contact lens case item if you are ever in short supply.

Each day you should discard the solution in the case after inserting your contact lenses. The case should be rinsed in hot water and then left to air dry. It is harder for bugs to grow in a dry environment.

If you plan to leave lenses in a case for a period of time unworn. You should still discard and refresh the solution every few days.

Anti-microbial cases

Some newer cases have anti-microbial properties built into the lens case, this further helps to reduce a build up of bugs in the case. The new Aqufiy solution 3 month pack comes with 3 cases which have an anit-microbial lining.

These are general tips, and if your eye care professional has instructed you slightly different, you should follow his/her instructions.

1. Lakkis C, Harding AS, Brennan NA. Case contamination with hydrogel lens wear. Clin Exper Optom. 1997:May-June;111.