10 Things You Should Not Do When Wearing Contacts

Learning how to wear contacts can take a little time. You have to get used to putting them in, taking them out, and maintaining them. But there's a lot more that goes into contact lens safety. You also have to be extra mindful when wearing contacts so you won't cause damage to them or your eyes.

You can't wear contacts 24/7, and there are some situations when contacts aren't the right eyewear option at all.

Here are 10 "don'ts" of wearing contacts to help you take good care of both your contacts and your eyes.

1. Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes may feel natural when you are tired, stressed, or experiencing dryness, but it is one of the worst habits for contact lens wearers. When you rub your eyes with lenses in, you increase the risk of discomfort and serious eye health issues.

Why rubbing your eyes with contacts is harmful:

• It can cause tiny scratches on your cornea, which may lead to infections.
• Rubbing can dislodge or tear your contact lenses, making them unusable.
• Long-term rubbing increases the risk of corneal thinning and conditions like keratoconus.
• Pressure on the eye can break small blood vessels and cause redness or irritation.

Safer alternatives if your eyes feel irritated:

• Use rewetting drops to relieve dryness.
• Blink more frequently to naturally refresh your eyes.
• Take short breaks from screen time to reduce eye strain.
• If irritation continues, gently remove your lenses and wear glasses until your eyes feel better.

If you know you are prone to rubbing your eyes, especially during allergy season, talk to your eye doctor about daily disposable lenses. They are replaced each day and can reduce the buildup of allergens on the lens surface.

2. Don’t Touch Your Contacts With Dirty Hands

Just as you shouldn’t rub your eyes while wearing contacts, the same rule applies when it comes to touching your eyeball or your lenses. At least, not without washing your hands first and making sure they're completely dry.

Think of all the things your hands come into contact with throughout the day. Between bathroom doors, grocery carts, handrails and computer keyboards, your hands collect a whole bunch of germs. All it takes is one touch of your eye to transfer those germs to your contacts and damage them or your eyes with a serious infection.

3. Don’t Leave Makeup on Your Lenses

This one isn't as common as rubbing your eye or touching them when they are irritated, but it does happen. Have you ever applied eyeliner only to accidentally touch the pencil to your eye?

If this ever happens with your contacts in, take them out right away (after washing your hands!). Clean the lens with solution, then reinsert it in your eye. To avoid this altogether, make it a habit to do your makeup first. then put in your contacts.

4. Don’t Let Sweat and Sunscreen Run Into Your Eyes

Sweat and sunscreen may seem harmless, but when they come into contact with your lenses they can cause irritation or even infection. Sunscreen especially contains oils and chemicals that can stick to your lenses and blur your vision.

Why sweat and sunscreen are a problem with contacts:

• Can introduce bacteria or chemicals that irritate your eyes
• May blur your vision and make lenses uncomfortable
• Increase the risk of infection if not removed quickly

How to prevent sweat and sunscreen from getting in your eyes:

• Tie your hair back before exercising outdoors
• Wear a sweatband to keep sweat from dripping down
• Apply sunscreen carefully and avoid the eye area
• Choose cooler times of day, such as mornings or evenings, to exercise when you will sweat less and may not need sunscreen

If sunscreen or sweat does reach your lenses, remove them safely, clean them with fresh solution, and reinsert once your eyes are comfortable.

5. Don’t Get in Water With Lenses On

Water and contact lenses should never mix. Oceans, lakes, rivers, swimming pools, and even showers can all expose your lenses to harmful microorganisms that stick to the lens surface and lead to serious eye infections.

Risks of wearing contacts in water:

• Bacteria and microorganisms can attach to your lenses and cause infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis
• Chlorine in pools does not eliminate all germs and can also damage the lens material
• Saltwater can dry out and warp your lenses
• Contaminated lenses may spread bacteria to your lens case and eyes later

Safe alternatives when swimming or bathing:

• Remove your contacts before swimming, showering, or using a hot tub
• If you must swim, wear tight-fitting goggles over your lenses
• Consider daily disposable contact lenses that you can throw away immediately after water activities
• For frequent swimmers, ask your doctor about prescription goggles or masks

Keeping your lenses away from water is one of the most important steps in contact lens safety.

6. Don’t Keep Lenses on Irritated Eyes

Keep in mind your eyes may become irritated as a result of things like allergens in the air or dryness. If that's the case, you need to take your contacts out ASAP.

Leaving them on irritated eyes can only cause more damage. It's extremely uncomfortable and may result in long-term issues if you're not careful.

Whether or not your contacts are the cause of the irritation, removing them will give your eyes the break they need to help them recover.

7. Don’t Forget to Give Your Eyes a Break

Speaking of breaks, that brings us to our next point.

Say you have a long day where you wake up before the sun rises and you don’t get home until late at night. It's better to switch between your contacts and glasses half way through your long day than to depend on the contacts till you get home. Your eyes need to breathe. This is especially true if you have a tendency to get irritated eyes.

If they are red, dry, or itchy, this could be a sign you need to take your contacts out and give your eyes a chance to breathe. It's incredibly important you do this throughout the day and every night.

8. Don’t Fall Asleep With Your Contacts On

One of the most important rules of contact lens safety is to never sleep in your lenses unless they are specifically prescribed as extended wear. Eye doctors warn against this because leaving lenses in overnight greatly increases the risk of infection and long-term eye damage.

Why sleeping in contacts is dangerous:

• Lenses reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your cornea, which is even more restricted when your eyes are closed.
• Overnight wear causes dryness and discomfort that can make it painful to remove your lenses in the morning.
• Proteins and lipids naturally build up on lenses overnight, making them cloudy and irritating.
• The warm, moist environment under closed eyelids creates the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow, increasing the chance of serious infections like microbial keratitis.

What to do instead:

• Always remove and properly clean your lenses before going to bed.
• If you accidentally fall asleep in your contacts, remove them as soon as possible and give your eyes a break by wearing glasses for the rest of the day.
• Ask your eye doctor if extended wear lenses are right for you, but even with those, it is safest to remove them at night whenever possible.

Sleeping in contact lenses might seem harmless after a long day, but it can have lasting effects on your eye health. Make it part of your nightly routine to take them out before bed.

9. Don’t Expose Your Lens Case to Heat

Whether you're taking your contacts out during the day or just before you go to bed, you have to be mindful of where you put the case. Don't leave your contacts case in your bag when you're at the beach, and do your best not to leave it in your car, wherever you go.

Exposure to heat can dry your contacts out and it may compromise their quality, too. Other good practices for the case include daily cleaning and air drying. This helps to remove any buildup of bacteria.

10. Don’t Wear Lenses Without Cleaning Them

The final mistake to avoid when wearing contacts is putting them in without cleaning them. Always use fresh solution when putting your contacts back in their case and when you're about to put them on as well.

Regular cleaning may seem like a hassle, but it's the best way to avoid an infection or irritation. A few minutes spent every day will go a long way in regards to your eye health and quality of your vision.

Become a Pro at Wearing Contacts

It's one thing to read about the mistakes to avoid when wearing contacts, and another to understand what you need to do to keep them in good shape.

Focus on everything you can do right instead of what you may possibly do wrong if you want the best results. Become a pro at putting in contact lenses by following some of our expert tips.

Wearing Contacts FAQs

What are the most common mistakes contact lens wearers make?

Some of the most common mistakes include rubbing your eyes with lenses in, touching lenses with unwashed hands, sleeping in contacts, and letting lenses come into contact with water.

Is it OK to nap with contact lenses?

Napping in contacts can dry out your eyes and increase the risk of infection. It is best to remove your lenses before sleeping, unless your doctor has prescribed extended wear contacts.

Can I shower while wearing contact lenses?

No. Shower water can contain harmful microorganisms that attach to your lenses and cause serious infections. Always remove lenses before showering.

How often should I clean my contact lens case?

Clean your case daily with fresh solution and let it air dry. Replace your case at least every three months to reduce the risk of bacteria buildup.