Many eye infections are mild, but some, especially in contact lens wearers, can develop quickly and threaten your vision. So the best way to avoid the discomfort of an eye infection and any complications that stem from the condition is through vigilant prevention.
At Classic Vision Care, under the expert direction of Dr. Mital Patel, our highly trained optometrists offer comprehensive services designed to protect your vision and the health of your eyes. To that end, we routinely help patients quickly remedy eye infections, which present a considerable hassle under the best of circumstances and a serious problem if they’re left unchecked.
1. Wash up
Many eye infections, like pink eye, are caused by viruses or bacteria that spread easily from person to person. And one of the easiest ways to pick up an infection is through your hands, which is why we recommend that you wash them frequently, especially if you’ve been in public places.
2. Don’t rub or touch your eyes
Another great way to avoid infection is to avoid touching your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes. If you must touch them, wash your hands with soap and water first.
3. Remove your contact lenses
After a long day, you may be tempted to just collapse into bed without removing your contact lenses. Take the extra few minutes to remove your lenses, which have been exposed to microbes that can stick to the surface. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them with a clean cloth before you touch your lenses. Avoid sleeping in your contact lenses unless your eye care provider has told you to.
4. Clean your contact lenses
After you remove your contact lenses, you must clean them properly. These lenses can harbor all manner of bacteria and viruses, so be sure to follow our cleaning instructions, which means using the right solutions and storing your contacts in clean cases. The contact lens tips later in this post list the specific rules.
5. Don’t share makeup
One of the easiest ways to get an eye infection is by sharing eye make-up applicators. To err on the side of caution, don’t share things like mascara, even among your closest friends. The same goes for makeup brushes, eye drops, contact lenses, and lens cases. If you have an eye infection, do not use eye makeup until it clears, because bacteria can live in makeup. Ask your eye doctor whether to replace the eye makeup you used while infected.
6. Sheets and towels
For both men and women, sharing towels at the gym or pillowcases on a camping trip is a recipe for spreading infection. Whatever the situation, be sure to have your own clean towels and linens at all times. Wash pillowcases, sheets, and towels often in hot water.
7. Come and see us
While this last tip isn’t exactly preventive, it will minimize the discomfort of an eye infection. At the first signs of an infection, such as itchiness, redness, pain, excessive tears, light sensitivity, blurred vision, discharge, or swelling, come see us right away so that we can provide care. If you wear contact lenses, take them out right away, do not put them back in, and call your eye doctor right away. Seeking medical help will bring you relief and also save you from passing the infection on to close family and friends. Eye pain and sudden vision loss are same-day concerns at Classic Vision Care, so call the office nearest you during office hours. If symptoms get worse after hours, go to the emergency room.
If you’d like to learn more about preventing and treating eye infections, please contact our Kennesaw office at (770) 499-2020 or our East Cobb (Marietta) office at (678) 560-8065, or request an appointment using our online scheduling tool.
What are the best tips for avoiding eye infections with lenses?
Contact lenses are safe for most people when you care for them the right way. Most contact lens eye infections start with small daily habits. These tips for avoiding eye infections with lenses come from the CDC and the FDA, followed by eye infection prevention steps for everyone.
Keep water away from your lenses. Keep contact lenses away from all water [1]. That includes tap, bottled, distilled, lake, and ocean water [2]. Water on lenses has been linked to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a hard-to-treat infection of the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) caused by a tiny organism found in water [2]. Take your lenses out before you swim or shower [1].
Never use saliva. Do not put your lenses in your mouth to wet them. Saliva is not sterile [2].
Do not sleep in your lenses. Avoid sleeping in contact lenses unless your eye care provider has told you to [1].
Use fresh solution every time. Store lenses in fresh contact lens solution, never water [1]. Never "top off" old solution in the case, and never reuse it [2]. Rub and rinse your lenses with disinfecting solution [1].
Care for your lens case. Lens cases can grow bacteria [2]. Rub the case clean, rinse it with fresh solution, and let it air dry [2]. Replace the case at least once every three months [1].
Start with clean, dry hands. Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a clean cloth before you touch your lenses [1].
Eye infection prevention for everyone. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds [4]. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes [4]. Do not share pillows, towels, washcloths, eye drops, eye makeup, makeup brushes, contact lenses, or lens cases [4]. Wash pillowcases, sheets, and towels often in hot water [4].
Signs of a contact lens eye infection. Watch for pain, unusual redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, discharge or excess tearing, swelling, or a burning or gritty feeling [3]. If you notice any of these, take your lenses out right away, do not put them back in, and call your eye doctor right away [3]. Lens-related infections can develop quickly and, in rare cases, cause blindness [3].
Help in Kennesaw and East Cobb. Dr. Mital Patel, OD, and the Classic Vision Care team treat eye infections and fit contact lenses. Eye pain and sudden vision loss are same-day concerns at Classic Vision Care, so call the office nearest you during office hours. If symptoms get worse after hours, go to the emergency room. Bring your lenses or their packaging to the visit.
Related reading: lens-related infections, fit contact lenses, same-day concerns.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts" (May 27, 2025)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Contact Lens Solutions and Products" (content current as of 01/16/2018)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Contact Lens Risks" (content current as of 09/04/2018)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "How to Prevent Pink Eye" (Apr. 15, 2024)
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