What should a patient do first when preparing to handle contact lenses?

When preparing to handle contact lenses, the first step a patient should take is to wash their hands. This practice is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing the introduction of bacteria or other contaminants into the eye. Clean hands reduce the risk of eye infections and ensure that the contact lenses themselves remain uncontaminated during handling and insertion.

Starting with clean hands is a critical step in the process because it lays the foundation for safe lens application. The oils, dirt, and bacteria that can reside on unwashed hands can easily transfer to the lenses or the eye, potentially leading to complications such as irritation, redness, or infections. Therefore, it’s vital to prioritize hand hygiene before engaging in any activities related to contact lens handling.