Wash and dry hands
Soap and water, then dry completely with a clean cloth before touching lenses.
Contact lenses · Care and hygiene
Contact Lens Care Guide Solutions, cases and the habits that prevent infections.
Reusable lenses are only as safe as the care routine behind them. The CDC links poor lens hygiene to microbial keratitis, so the products you recommend and the habits you teach matter as much as the fit. Care products are also a steady OTC reorder for the practice.
45 millionContact lens wearers in the US, per the CDC
3 monthsReplace the case at least this often
0Times lenses should touch water
15%Participation credit on eligible OTC care orders through RescueLink
The routine
Care habits to teach every wearer
These points come straight from CDC guidance. Put them in writing at every dispense.
Keep away from water
No showering or swimming in lenses and never store or rinse them in water.
Rub, rinse, fresh solution
Rub and rinse lenses with disinfecting solution and never mix fresh solution with old.
Case care
Rub and rinse the case with solution and replace it at least every three months.
No sleeping in lenses
Avoid overnight wear unless the eye care provider directs it, and carry backup glasses.
Matching the care system to the lens
Each lens type has its own care chemistry. Recommend by name so patients do not substitute.
- Dailies need no care system
- Reusables need a named system
- GP and scleral lenses use their own products
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Multipurpose solutions
One-bottle systems such as Biotrue clean, rinse, disinfect and store many soft lenses.
-
Hydrogen peroxide
Systems such as Clear Care use a neutralizing case. Patients must never put peroxide directly in the eye.
-
GP solutions
Rigid lenses use GP systems such as Boston Simplus or Unique pH, not soft lens solutions.
-
Scleral fill
Scleral lenses are filled with preservative-free saline in single-use vials.
In the practice
Turning care into a reorder
Care products are OTC, so they can earn the participation credit when patients order through RescueLink.
Dispense a starter kit
Send new reusable-lens wearers home with the named solution, a fresh case and written instructions.
Send the refill list
Text the exact products through RescueLink so the patient reorders the right system.
Recheck habits
Ask about water exposure, case age and overnight wear at every follow-up.
Care systems at a glance
Which products go with which lens
| Daily disposable soft | No care system; discard after each wear |
|---|---|
| Two-week or monthly soft | Multipurpose or hydrogen peroxide system |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Use only with the supplied neutralizing case |
| Corneal GP and ortho-k | GP cleaning and disinfecting systems |
| Scleral | GP care system plus preservative-free saline for filling |
| Rewetting drops | Use drops labeled for contact lens wear |
| Case replacement | At least every three months (CDC) |
| Participation credit | Eligible OTC care orders on VisionRescue.com through RescueLink earn 15%; lenses do not |
Questions practices ask about lens care
Can patients switch solutions on their own?
Advise against it. Recommend a named system that matches the lens material.
Is tap water ever acceptable for rinsing?
No. CDC guidance is to keep lenses away from all water and use fresh solution only.
How often should cases be replaced?
At least every three months, and cleaned with solution between uses.
Do care products earn the participation credit?
Yes, when they are eligible OTC items ordered on VisionRescue.com through RescueLink. Contact lenses and Rx are excluded.
Should daily wearers buy solution?
Daily disposables need no care system, but rewetting drops and a backup case for emergencies can help.
References
Make care part of every dispense.
Stock the systems you recommend and send the rest to patients through RescueLink.
Product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Patients should follow the care instructions for their lens and solution. Contact lenses and Rx are excluded from the 15% participation credit.