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                Women's Health Topics

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          Contact Lens CareWomen's Health Topics Contact Lens Care
  
  					From the FDA Office of Women's Health
	
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contact lenses

Contact lenses help people improve their vision. If you are not careful, contact lenses can cause major eye problems. It is important to keep your eyes safe. Use this page to help you talk to your eye doctor about keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable while you wear contacts.

General Tips
	Types of Contact Lenses
	Lens Solution
	Buying Contact Lenses
	Decorative Contacts
	Top Things to Know about Contact Lenses**General tips**

Follow your eye doctor’s directions on how to wear and clean your contacts.
	Wash and rinse your hands before touching your lenses.
	Use only contact lens solution to store or rinse your contacts.
	Get your doctor’s OK before using any new or different medicines.
	Put in your contacts before you use makeup. Take them out before removing makeup.
	Take out your lenses and call your eye doctor right away if:
	Your vision changes
		Your eyes are red
		Your eyes hurt or feel itchy
		You have a lot of tears
	Report problems to FDA’s Medwatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatchAfrican American woman holding a contact lens up to her eye

**Types of Contact Lenses**

**Disposable Lenses** - Wear them for one day and then throw away.
	**Daily Wear Lenses** - Wear them for one day. Take them out when you go to sleep or take a nap. Clean the lenses every day.
	**Extended Wear Lenses** - Wear up to 30 days and then throw away. Give your eyes a rest for at least one night. Then put in a new pair.
	**Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses** - Talk with your doctor to find the best cleaning, disinfecting and wearing schedule for you.**Lens Solution**

Do not “top off” the solutions in your case.
	Throw away all of the lens solution after each use.
	Use only the lens solutions and eye drops that your eye doctor suggests.
	Do not use solutions longer than the recommended time after opening.
	Replace your contact lens case every 3-6 months.**Buying Contact Lenses**

Use these tips to stay safe when buying your lenses.

Always have an up-to-date, correct prescription from your eye doctor.
	Make sure you have had an eye exam within the last one to two years.
	Never buy contact lenses, including decorative lenses, from gas stations, video stores, record shops, or any other vendor not authorized by law to sell contact lenses.
	Make sure your prescription includes:
	Your name
		Date of your eye exam
		Date you received the prescription (issue date) and the date your prescription expires
		Lens measurements
		The contact lens brand name and material
		Your doctor’s name and contact information**Watch out! Make sure you get what you asked for.** Some online or mail-order sellers may send you a different brand. Contact lenses may look the same, but materials and shapes change by brand.

If you think you received the wrong lenses, contact your eye doctor. Do not accept different brands unless your doctor says it is ok.

**Decorative Contacts**



**You need an eye exam and prescription for decorative contact lenses.**

Decorative contact lenses change the look of your eye. For example, these lenses can make your brown eyes look blue. Some people wear them for special events, parties or Halloween. People may also wear them to look like their favorite singer or character.

Decorative lenses can enhance your look. They can also damage your eyes if not used correctly. They can cause serious problems like infection and blindness.

**Use these tips to keep you and your family safe.**

Buy the lenses from an eye care doctor or from a vendor who requires that you provide a prescription.
	Do not buy lenses from a beauty supply store, flea market, or Halloween store.
	Follow directions for cleaning and wearing the lenses.
	Visit your eye doctor for follow-up eye exams.**Top Things to Know about Contact Lenses**

Follow your eye doctor’s directions on how to wear and clean your contacts.
	If you have a problem, take out your lenses right away and bring them with you to see your doctor.
	Have an up-to-date, correct prescription from your eye doctor when buying contact lenses.
	Get your doctor’s OK before using any new or different medicines.
	Do not use solutions longer than the recommended time after opening.
	Take out your contacts when you swim or go into a hot tub. You could risk an eye infection from the non-sterile water.
	You also need an eye exam and prescription for decorative contact lenses.
	Report problems to FDA’s Medwatch program.
	1-800-FDA-1088, www.fda.gov/medwatchLearn More about Contact Lens Care

Other Tips on Contact Lenses
	Decorative Contact Lenses
	Decorative Contact Lenses: Is Your Vision Worth It?
	Mom, Can I Get Contact Lenses, Please?Resources For You

Other Tips on Contact Lenses
	Improper Use of Decorative Contacts (video)
	College Women's Health
	Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      01/19/2018Women's Health Topics

          
                        Aging
          Anxiety
          Caregiving
          Cholesterol medicines
          Clinical trials
          Contact lens care
          Cosmetics
          Depression
          Diabetes
          Dietary supplements
          Food safety
          Heart health
          High blood pressure
          HIV
          HPV
          Mammography
          Medication safety
          Medicine and pregnancy
          Menopause
          Osteoporosis
          Pain medicines
          Pregnancy
          Sleep problems
          Smoking
          Tattoos and permanent makeup
          Uterine fibroids


                        Pregnancy Exposure Registries
          Free publications for women
 
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