Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 4 minutes
Switching to contact lenses gives you freedom from glasses, but it also brings plenty of questions. How long can you wear them? Can you nap or swim in them? And what happens if you accidentally rinse them in water?
At Youth Vision, we hear these questions daily. Here’s a complete guide to the 10 most common contact lens questions our patients ask and what you need to know to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.
We provide eye care for children and adults at our locations in Denver, Aurora, Hampden and Thornton. We accept Medicaid!
Table of Contents
1. How Do You Insert and Remove Contact Lenses?
Learning how to put in and take out your lenses can take a little practice, but it quickly becomes second nature.
To insert your lenses:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Place the lens on your fingertip. It should look like a bowl, not have flared edges.
- Hold your upper eyelid open and pull down your lower lid.
- Look slightly upward and gently place the lens on your eye.
- Blink to settle it in place.
To remove your lenses:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Look up, pull down your lower eyelid, and gently pinch the lens between your thumb and forefinger.
- Clean and store it as directed or discard it if it’s a daily disposable.
2. Can You Swim or Shower with Contact Lenses?
It’s best not to wear contact lenses in any type of water, including pools, lakes, or the shower. Water can introduce bacteria and microorganisms like Acanthamoeba, which can cause serious eye infections. It can also loosen or wash away your lenses, making them easy to lose.
If water does get in your eyes while wearing contacts, remove the lenses, clean them with fresh solution, and give your eyes a short break before putting in a new pair.
3. Can You Nap or Sleep in Contact Lenses?
Unless your lenses are specifically approved for extended wear, don’t sleep or nap in them.
Closing your eyes with lenses in reduces oxygen flow to your corneas, which increases the chance of dryness, redness, and infection.
If you accidentally fall asleep wearing them, remove and clean them right away, then give your eyes a few hours to recover before reinserting. If the contact is really dry, add a lubricating drop before trying to remove them.
4. How Long Can You Wear Contact Lenses Each Day?
Most soft contact lenses can be worn for 10–12 hours per day, depending on your lens type and how your eyes feel.
If your eyes become dry or irritated sooner, remove your lenses and switch to glasses. Overwearing contacts is one of the main causes of discomfort and infection.
When you’re new to lenses, start with shorter wear times and increase gradually as your eyes adjust.
5. Can You Use Eye Drops While Wearing Contact Lenses?
Yes, but only drops labeled safe for contact lenses. Lubricating or rewetting drops help refresh your lenses during the day. Avoid redness-relief drops unless your optometrist specifically recommends them as they can make dryness worse. For sensitive eyes, preservative-free rewetting drops are often the most comfortable option.
6. Can You Wear Contact Lenses If You Have Pink Eye?
Remove your contacts and dispose of them if you have pink eye (conjunctivitis) or any other eye infection. Wearing lenses while infected can trap bacteria against your cornea, delaying healing and spreading infection.
Wait until your eye doctor clears you to wear lenses again, and always replace the lenses and case used during the infection.
7. Can You Put Contact Lenses in Water or Clean Them with Tap Water?
You should never clean your lenses with water. Tap water isn’t sterile and it can contain tiny organisms that lead to serious eye infections.
Always use fresh, sterile contact lens solution to clean, disinfect, and store your lenses. Never reuse old solution, and replace your case every 3 months to prevent bacterial buildup.
8. Does Medicaid Cover Contact Lenses?
Coverage depends on age and medical necessity. In Colorado, Health First Colorado (Medicaid) may cover contact lenses in specific situations:
- For children (20 and under): Contact lenses are covered if glasses cannot provide adequate vision correction and the lenses are considered medically necessary.
- For adults (21 and older): Contact lenses may be covered only after eye surgery or when glasses do not provide sufficient correction.
If lenses are for convenience or cosmetic purposes, coverage typically does not apply. Our team can help verify your eligibility and explain your options before your appointment.
9. How Long Can You Wear Daily Contact Lenses?
Daily disposable lenses are made for one-day use only. Wearing them longer increases the risk of infection, dryness, and protein buildup on the lens surface. If you prefer longer wear times, talk to your doctor about biweekly or monthly lenses.
10. What’s the Difference Between Hard and Soft Contact Lenses?
Both types correct vision effectively but differ in feel, material, and maintenance. Soft contact lenses are made from flexible materials that mold to the shape of your eye, making them comfortable and easy to adapt to. They’re available in daily, biweekly, and monthly options.
Hard lenses, also called rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses, are made from a firm, oxygen-permeable material that provides sharper vision for certain conditions such as keratoconus or high astigmatism. While they may take longer to get used to, they’re durable and can last longer with proper care.
Schedule a Contact Lens Fitting Today
Healthy vision starts with the right fit. Our optometrists provide personalized contact lens fittings to ensure clear, comfortable vision and long-term eye health. Whether you’re new to contacts or updating your prescription, Youth Vision makes it easy to find lenses that match your needs and lifestyle.
Schedule an eye exam today at the location most convenient for you:
Denver Youth Vision
Phone: (303) 825-2295
Aurora Youth Vision
Phone: (303) 343-3133
Thornton Youth Vision
Phone: (303) 953-880
Hampden Youth Vision
Phone: (720) 866-9906
