Keeping Contacts Clean:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 29 and September 16, 2007
Show 418

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

More than 31 million Americans, including me, wear contact lenses.

Sara Herman, PharmD:

One of the biggest concerns lens wearers have is preventing fungal keratitis. It's a serious condition that can cause vision loss. That's why taking care of your contact lenses is so important.

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

Absolutely. Basic lens care includes cleaning, rinsing and disinfecting. Keep your lenses clean, comfortable and free of bacteria and fungus.

Sara Herman, PharmD:

Some contact lenses need to be cleaned and disinfected once a day, while others need to be cleaned when they're taken out. It's important to know how to care for your individual type of lens.

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

Yes, and you should also always use sterile solution to clean contacts. Never use plain tap water because it could damage the lens and, even worse, cause an eye infection.

Sara Herman, PharmD:

That's right. And you should always wear and replace your contacts on the schedule prescribed by your eye care professional. Wearing them too long or overnight can increase the risk of getting an infection.