Contact lenses are great substitute of glasses. They're light, easy to wear and hassle free. They don't get fogged up by rain nor do they have frames which obstructs your view. In plain, they help to make our lives simple.

But are you wearing it correctly? If contact lenses aren't cleanse properly, amoeba can set up camp in your eyes. Gross? I know. In order to help you maintain your eye hygiene, here's the 7 MUST-KNOWS before you wear your contact lenses:

1. AVOID WATER

Be it tap water, pools, river, ocean - avoid your lenses coming into contact with them. These natural bodies of water contain amoeba which will cause infection. The infection then combines the single cell amoeba with bacteria keratitis. When infection sets in, the cornea became painful and inflamed. The infection is treatable but if ignored, it'll lead to permanent vision loss. Remember, don't wear lenses when you shower/bath. Swimming with your lenses in is even a BIGGER NONO.

2. RUB-A-DUB-DUB

Always rub your lenses even if your solution says no rubbing required. Rubbing removes the deposits that are on your lenses. If you don't remove these deposits, when you wore them, your eyes might sting and itch. Also, never use the lens solution after 24 hours, replace them with new fresh lens solution.

3. TAKE EM OFF

This is bad. When you sleep in your lenses, your eyes will get dry because less oxygen actually reaches the eye. Most importantly, because your eyes are closed, this sets a perfect environment for infection to kick in. Even where the lenses material are labelled as 'thinner and breathable', don't don't don't (very important, must repeat 3 times!) wear them to bed!

4. CLEAN HANDS 

Before you put in or remove your lenses, remember to wash your hands thoroughly. Even if this step seems measly to you, it's quite important. We use our hands to handle things all day long, for sure there'll be bacterias and germs on it. So wash away before you touch your lenses. Don't forget to dry your hands (remember water isn't sterile!)

5. REPLACE

Don't exceed the use by date of your soft lenses even if it still looks fine to you. It doesn't, trust me you don't need to look under a microscope to believe me. When there's a tear in your soft lenses, replace them, do not continue to use them as it might "break". Now, the storage case. Replace with new ones after 3 months of use. When you clean the storage case, use the lens solution to rinse them and leave them to air dry on a towel.

6. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EYES

If the lenses are causing your eyes to feel dry, itch, sting, utilise eye drops that could be use together with lenses.

7. EYE INFECTION

Keep a close look at your eyes whenever they show signs of uncomfortable. Know the symptoms of an eye infection and refrain from wearing your soft lenses for few days. If the symptoms persist, consult an optometrist.

Eyes are windows to the soul. You only have one pair of eyes, take good care of them!