Health Tip: Prevent Problems With Contact Lenses

(HealthDay News) -- Wearing contact lenses requires precautions to protect your eyes from infection.

The University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center offers these suggestions on how to care for contact lenses:

• Always wash your hands before handling your lenses or touching your eyes.

• Never let anyone else wear your lenses.

• Only take lenses in and out as prescribed by your doctor -- don't put them in and remove them repeatedly throughout the day.

• Only purchase lenses that your doctor has prescribed. Avoid so-called "fashion" lenses or purchasing any lenses from someone other than a reputable source.

• Replace lenses regularly on the schedule prescribed by your doctor.

• Clean lenses thoroughly and regularly as recommended by your doctor.

• Throw away disposable lenses. Don't try to sterilize or re-use them.