Contact Lens Safety & Care (Master Guide) | Yamout Optical Center Lebanon
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1) Quick Safety: The “Daily 3” Check
Every morning after putting in your lenses, ask yourself:
1) Do my eyes look good? (No redness)
2) Do my eyes feel good? (No unusual awareness or pain)
3) Do I see well? (No unusual blur)
If any answer is “No”: remove the lenses immediately and wear glasses.
2) Product, Packaging & Types
Know what you are wearing and what to check before use.
Lens Types
  • Soft lenses: Spherical, Toric, Multifocal — hydrogel or silicone hydrogel (comfortable but fragile).
  • Hard lenses (RGP): smaller and firmer, often better vision for high astigmatism or keratoconus, with an adaptation period.
Blister Check
Ensure the foil seal is intact. Lenses are stored in 0.9% sterile saline.
Never use a lens if the package was open, leaking, or dry.
3) Replacement Schedule (Most Important Rule)
Your schedule starts from the day you open the lenses — not from the number of wears.
Lens Type Replace When Key Rule
Daily Disposable After one day Wear once, discard the same day
2-Weekly / Bi-Weekly Every 14 days Count from opening day
Monthly Every 30 days Count from opening day
RGP (Hard) Often 1 year+ Must be checked for scratches & deposits
Tip: Save your “Open Date” in your phone calendar.
4) How to Use (Step-by-Step)
Simple safe steps for insertion and removal.
Insertion
  1. Wash/Dry: use lint-free towels.
  2. The “Taco” Test: on fingertip—if edges flare out, it’s inside out; if they curve inward like a taco, it’s correct.
  3. The Hold: pull upper lid up; pull lower lid down with middle finger.
  4. The Look: look straight and place lens on the center of the eye. Blink slowly to seat.
Removal
  1. The Slide: look up and pull the lower lid down.
  2. The Pinch: slide lens to the white of the eye then gently pinch with thumb & index to lift off.
5) Hygiene: The “No Water” Rule
Water is the primary cause of rare but sight-threatening infections.
Zero Contact: Never use tap water, bottled water, or saliva on lenses or cases.
The Shower Rule
Ideally remove lenses before showering. If you must wear them, keep eyes tightly shut and disinfect immediately afterward.
Makeup Order
Put lenses IN before makeup; take lenses OUT before washing makeup off.
6) Wearing Schedule & The “No Sleep” Habit
Build safe habits to protect your cornea and reduce infection risk.
Adaptation Plan
Day 1 (4 hrs), then add 2 hours/day. Max limit: 12–14 hours.
Preventing Sleep Accidents
  • Home from work rule: remove lenses immediately when you enter home, switch to glasses.
  • Phone alarm: set a “Lens Out” alarm for 8:00 PM.
If you fell asleep in lenses
Do not pull lenses out immediately. Use rewetting drops, blink for 15 minutes until the lens moves freely, then remove.
7) Cleaning & Storage (Soft vs. Hard)
Different lenses require different systems.
Soft Lenses
Use Multi-Purpose Solution: Rub 10 seconds in your palm, rinse, store in fresh solution.
Hard Lenses (RGP)
Often requires a two-step cleaner + soaking solution. Never slide a hard lens across a table—lift vertically with a wet finger.
The Case (Biofilm Prevention)
Empty old solution daily, air-dry face down, replace case every 3 months.
8) Solution Safety (Compatibility Rules)
Incorrect solutions can cause severe irritation or chemical injury.
Important: Do not switch solutions without advice. Not all solutions suit all lenses.
Hydrogen Peroxide Systems
Peroxide systems must be neutralized in their special case. Never put peroxide directly in the eye.
Warning: Direct peroxide contact can cause intense pain and injury.
9) Troubleshooting
Common problems and safe first actions.
Lens is “lost” in the eye
It cannot go behind the eye. It may be folded under the upper lid. Look down and gently massage the lid.
Vision is foggy
Often protein buildup or GPC (allergic bumps). Clean the lens. If it persists, wear glasses and call us.
Dryness / screen use
Use preservative-free rewetting drops. Avoid “redness relief” drops.
Pro tip: Use the 20-20-20 rule and blink fully on screens.
10) Travel & Environment Checklist
Never travel without these essentials.
11) Do’s & Don’ts
Fast reminders that prevent most problems.
DO DON’T
Keep a photo of your prescription on your phone. Don’t top off (mix old and new) solution.
Blink often when using a computer/phone. Don’t wear lenses if eyes are red or “angry.”
Replace lenses exactly on the expiry schedule. Don’t share lenses or cases with anyone.
12) Kids & Teens (Extra Safety)
Young wearers need stricter rules and supervision.
Recommended: parental supervision for cleaning, strict hygiene, and no sleeping in lenses.
Sports: ask us about safe options and protective eyewear when needed.
13) Follow-up Care (Professional Standard)
Even if your vision feels fine, the cornea can show early signs without pain.
Why follow-ups matter: Many contact lens complications are painless in early stages. Your follow-up checks lens fit, corneal health, dryness, and deposits.
Plan: attend your first follow-up and schedule an annual contact lens check.
14) When to Call Yamout Optical Center
Remove lenses and seek urgent care if you notice:
• A white spot on the cornea
• Extreme light sensitivity (cannot open eyes in sunlight)
• Sudden vision loss or severe persistent pain
Yamout Optical Center
Tel: 01-377238 • WhatsApp: 03-215140
Professional note: This guide supports safe contact lens wear but does not replace a full eye examination or professional judgment.
Provided by Yamout Optical Center for patient education. Always follow professional instructions.