Contact lens solution is not always readily available when it is time to remove, clean and store your contacts. Though products designed specifically for contact lens care are ideal for cleaning and storing contacts, there are other options you can use in a pinch.

Torn lenses should be removed right away, because they can scratch and irritate the eye. This process is similar to removing an intact contact lens but requires additional care and precision.

Wearing an the wrong prescription of contact lenses, or wearing lenses not fitted to your eyes, can cause discomfort, blurry vision, eye damage and infection.

Wearing contact lenses can be more comfortable if you clean them regularly. Visual acuity is better as well. Cleaning solutions help to remove dirt and protein deposits from the surface of the lens.

Contact lenses are very safe if worn properly. While contacts are designed to be worn for long periods every day, there are certain times when you should remove them. Contact lenses should be removed before coming into contact with any water, including shower water.

Eyes become irritated for a variety of reasons, including dust, smoke, lack of oxygen to the eye surface, eyelid abnormalities, allergies and inability to produce adequate lubrication. People with sensitive eyes may find it difficult to wear contact lenses for vision correction.

An estimated 37 million to 38 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses, according to the industry publication "Contact Lens Spectrum." A blurry contact lens can lead to frustration and difficulty completing everyday tasks and it might potentially present a safety or health risk.

Protein buildup is a common problem with soft and hard contact lenses. Buildup can usually be seen in the form of white or cloudy marks on the surface of the contact lens, which causes blurred vision and discomfort. With proper care and use of contact lenses, protein buildup can be controlled.

According to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, astigmatism usually occurs when the front of the eye -- the cornea -- is curved more in one direction than the other. The resulting distortion in one’s vision is much like looking in a wavy mirror.

If you wear contact lenses, you may be curious about some of the codes and numbers imprinted on the lens packaging. Optometrists prescribe contact lenses with different degrees of power to correct various vision problems.

You rely on your contact lenses to provide crystal clear vision that you can wear daily. However, contacts require careful maintenance to prevent protein buildup. Proteins are naturally found in your tears and can bind to your contacts, according to Contact Lens Answers.

Many people wear contact lenses for vision correction purposes. However, although contact lenses are simple and effective, and can eliminate the need for glasses, they can also cause problems if not cared for properly.