How to Boil Contact Cases

A contact case is a portable plastic container used for the storage and cleaning of contact lenses. A common oversight by contact lens wearers is the cleanliness of their contact lens case. Bacteria harbored in the lens compartment and exterior can easily be transferred from the case into the eye. Eye infections caused by not properly caring for contact lenses and storage cases range in severity from physically limiting to sight-threatening. These infections can affect the eyelid, conjunctiva and cornea. Regular cleaning, including boiling the case to remove bacteria, will lower infection risk.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Stove

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill a medium-size pot halfway full of water.

• 2

  Place the pot on the stove and turn the heating element to high.

• 3

  Allow the water to reach a rolling boil. A rolling boil is the term used to describe the boiling state at which bubbles are vigorously breaking the surface of the water. This typically takes between seven and 10 minutes, depending upon your stove's heating element.

• 4

  Remove the tops from each side of the contact lens case. Many brands of contact lens cases have twist tops that are removed by turning each top to the left. There are brands in which the tops are opened or closed by lifting up or pushing down respectively. The tops of these types of cases are generally connected to the case by a strip of plastic.

• 5

  Empty the contents of the case. Place stored contacts into a spare case.

• 6

  Wash the case with warm tap water and mild soap.

• 7

  Remove the pot from the heating element. The water will continue to boil for a little while after the pot has been removed from the heating element.

• 8

  Place each portion of the case into the water. Allow the case to steep in the water for five minutes.

• 9

  Remove the case and lids from the water using a strainer or spoon.

• 10

  Set the case on a clean, dry surface and allow it to air-dry before the next use.