Contact lenses may seem like a modern innovation but they have an illustrious history that was kick-started by Leonardo da Vinci. However, they must be worn properly under the guidance of an eye care professional to prevent serious injury to the eye.

When handling a contact lens it is important to wash your hands and dry them thoroughly. Otherwise, lint and debris from the hands can transfer to the lens and cause irritation upon insertion.

How Contact Lenses Work

Contact lenses are thin discs of plastic or glass that sit directly on the eye to correct vision. They are available in many different types -- from soft daily disposables to hard, or rigid gas permeable, contacts to therapeutic ones designed for eye health or special situations, such as helping with keratoconus.

The best contact lens to wear for you depends on your lifestyle and preferences, as well as the type of prescription you have. A contact lens exam and fitting can help make sure your prescription is accurate and that your lenses are comfortable.

Contact lenses can be inserted into your eye by placing them on the pad of your index finger or middle finger, with the concave side facing up. Then, you use the other hand to slide it into place on your cornea. A brief period of discomfort may occur during the first few times you insert a new contact lens. This is caused by a difference in the pH and salinity of the contact lens solution and the tears, and should fade quickly as your eyes adjust.

How to Wear Contact Lenses

When it comes to putting in your contact lenses, you want to make sure that your hands are squeaky clean. This will prevent any bacteria from transferring onto the lens. Always use a mild soap, rinse completely and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.

Once your hands are clean, pick up one of your lenses and look it in the mirror. If the lens has a handling tint, it should look blue or green. If the lens looks like a lid (with the edges turned up) it is inside out.

Place the lens on your index finger and slide it down to the white part of your eye. Then, pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger and gently remove it. Repeat for the other lens. Be sure to follow your optometrist's directions regarding changing your contact lenses daily, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. It is also important to see your optometrist for regular annual exams.

How to Clean Contact Lenses

Cleanliness is a critical factor in maintaining good contact lens health and supporting clear, comfortable vision. Proper care and cleaning reduces the risk of eye infections and supports your lenses’ longevity.

Wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap before handling your contacts. Then, dry them with a lint-free towel. Use the contact solution and system recommended by your eye care professional to rub, rinse, disinfect and store your reusable soft contacts. Rinse with multipurpose contact solution at least once each day to remove protein deposits and other debris from your lens surface.

Some contact lens solutions have no added preservatives, and are often called “no-rub” systems. These still require rubbing to remove debris and prevent deposits from sticking to your lens. Hydrogen peroxide solutions also clean, rinse and disinfect your contact lenses. They are usually stored in a case that reacts with the solution to convert it to saline after 4 or 6 hours.

How to Care for Contact Lenses

Many types of contact lenses require daily care to keep them clean, sterile, and safe to wear. Some, like bi-weekly and monthly disposable soft contacts, need to be replaced on a schedule established by the eye doctor. Daily contact lens wearers should be especially careful to follow good handling and care guidelines in order to reduce the risk of eye health issues, rips or tears and other problems.

Thoroughly wash your hands with soap before handling your contact lenses; this decreases the likelihood of introducing bacteria into one or both of your eyes. Avoid using hand lotion or other products on your hands that contain extra oils or chemicals, as these can also contaminate the lenses. When removing a lens, use the pads of your index finger and thumb to gently pinch it from the lens storage case or container. Never put a contact lens in your mouth to wet it; saliva can harbor bacteria that may lead to an eye infection.