Based on the provided information, you should change your contact lens solution after every use of your lenses, and at least every 72 hours if your lenses are being stored without use.
Maintaining clean contact lenses and storage cases is crucial for eye health. The solution used to clean, rinse, and store lenses plays a vital role in removing debris and disinfecting the lenses. However, the effectiveness of the solution diminishes over time, and reusing old solution can lead to contamination and potential eye infections.
According to the reference:
- After Every Use: When you take your lenses out to store them, the solution in the case should be discarded and replaced with fresh solution before the lenses are placed back in. This ensures that the lenses are stored in a clean, disinfected environment overnight or between wears.
- When Lenses Are Not In Use: If you are storing your lenses for an extended period (e.g., you haven't worn them for a few days), the solution in the case should be replaced at least once every 72 hours (3 days). This is important to maintain the sterility of the storage environment even when the lenses aren't being handled daily.
Contact Solution Change Frequency Guide
Here's a simple breakdown based on the provided guidance:
| Scenario | Recommended Solution Change Frequency |
|---|---|
| After wearing lenses and placing in case | Every time (After each use) |
| Storing lenses for multiple days | Every 72 hours (If not used) |
Why is Regular Replacement Important?
Using fresh solution each time ensures that:
- Disinfection is effective: Fresh solution contains active disinfectants at the correct concentration.
- Protein and debris are removed: Used solution contains accumulated protein deposits and debris from your lenses and eyes.
- Contamination is prevented: Reusing solution can introduce bacteria back onto the lenses.
Always remember to discard the old solution from your lens case, rinse the case with fresh solution, let it air dry (if possible, upside down with caps off), and then fill with new solution before storing your lenses. Never top off old solution with new solution.
Regularly changing your contact lens case itself, typically every 1 to 3 months, is also a crucial part of maintaining hygiene.
