Getting a good night’s sleep starts with taking care of your contact lenses and your eyes.
For Toronto residents, where busy urban lifestyles often mean long days and late nights, prioritizing eye health is especially important. If you wear contact lenses, bedtime routines are more than just brushing your teeth and turning out the lights—they include a few essential steps to ensure your eyes stay healthy and your lenses remain in great condition.
Whether you’re navigating Toronto’s vibrant city life or winding down after a hectic day, these eight bedtime tips will help every contact lens user maintain clear vision and lasting eye comfort.
8 Bedtime Tips for Contact Lens Users
1. Always Remove Your Contact Lenses Before Sleeping
Sleeping with contact lenses can be risky for your eye health.
Lenses reduce oxygen flow to your eyes, and sleeping in them increases the risk of irritation or infections like keratitis. Even contact lenses labelled as “extended wear” or “overnight” should be used cautiously and only with your optometrist’s guidance.
While it might be tempting to skip removing your lenses after a long day, it’s a step you should never ignore for your eye health. Take a few extra minutes to properly remove and store your lenses—a habit that can save you from discomfort or long-term eye problems.
2. Wash Your Hands Before Handling Your Lenses
Before touching your contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This simple step helps prevent transferring dirt, oils, and bacteria to your lenses or eyes.
When washing your hands, use a non-scented, antibacterial soap to ensure your hands are clean without leaving behind any residue that could irritate your eyes.
Be sure to dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel. Avoid paper towels or fabrics that may leave behind particles that could stick to your lenses. Clean hands are one of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain your eye health.
3. Use Fresh Solution to Store Your Lenses
Always use a fresh multipurpose solution to clean and store your lenses. Reusing old solution or topping it off can diminish its disinfecting properties, allowing bacteria and debris to accumulate over time.
For best results, rinse your lenses with the solution recommended by your optometrist, as each brand is formulated differently. Contact lens solutions with hydrogen peroxide can be especially effective for disinfecting contact lenses, but must be used in accordance with their instructions.
Avoid using tap water, as it contains microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis. Saliva is also not an alternative—it contains bacteria that can harm your eyes.
Sticking to the proper solution ensures your lenses remain clean and safe to wear.
4. Inspect Your Lenses for Damage
Before storing your lenses for the night, take a moment to inspect them carefully.
Hold each lens up to the light and check for any signs of tears, scratches, or dirt that may have built up during the day.
Damaged or dirty lenses can cause discomfort, irritation, and even scratches to your cornea if worn.
If your lenses appear cloudy or worn out, it’s best to replace them rather than risk your eye health.
Lenses have a lifespan, so always follow the recommended replacement schedule.
5. Clean Your Lens Case Regularly
If not cleaned and replaced regularly, your contact lens case can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
After putting your lenses away, rinse the case thoroughly with fresh solution—not water—and let it air dry with the lids off. Keeping your case clean ensures that it doesn’t introduce bacteria to your lenses.
Make it a habit to replace your case every three months or sooner if it becomes damaged or discoloured. A clean lens case is just as important as clean lenses in maintaining your eye health.
6. Give Your Eyes a Break
Contact lenses are convenient, but wearing them all day, every day, can cause discomfort, especially if you spend long hours working on screens or in air-conditioned environments.
Consider switching to glasses in the evening to give your eyes some much-needed rest. Wearing glasses allows your eyes to rehydrate naturally and reduces the risk of lens-related dryness or irritation.
7. Book Regular Eye Exams
Routine eye exams are essential for monitoring your eye health and ensuring your contact lenses fit correctly.
Your optometrist can detect any potential issues early on, such as dry eye syndrome or lens-related complications, and provide tailored solutions. These exams are also an opportunity to ensure your prescription is up-to-date, as wearing outdated lenses can strain your eyes.
Prioritizing regular check-ups will help you maintain optimal eye health and comfort.
8. Have a Backup Plan with Glasses
Life in Toronto can be unpredictable, whether you’re commuting on the TTC or heading out for an impromptu night in the city.
Keeping a pair of backup glasses handy ensures you’re always prepared if your lenses need a break. Wearing glasses occasionally also allows your eyes to rest, which can be particularly helpful if you’ve spent the day battling dry eyes or discomfort.
Why Bedtime Contact Lens Care Matters
Following a proper bedtime routine for your contact lenses protects your vision and helps you avoid discomfort or complications.
Small steps like removing your lenses, cleaning them correctly, and keeping up with eye exams can make a big difference in your eye health.
By making these tips part of your routine, you’ll keep your eyes healthy and ready for whatever tomorrow brings!
If you are considering contact lenses, or it is time to order more, Tonic Eye Care has you covered. Contact us to book in an appointment.
