Put in Contact Lenses

Contacts are a great alternative to glasses. Putting in contact lenses for the first time can be difficult or seem frightening. This article will show you how to do it.

10 Second Summary

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Remove a contact from its case.
3. Place the contact on the index finger you’re most comfortable using.
4. Pull your upper and lower eyelids away from your eye.
5. Slowly move the contact towards your eye.
6. Gently place the contact on your eye.
7. Let go of your eyelids and blink slowly.

Steps

Putting in Contact Lenses

  1. Properly care for your contact lenses whenever they’re not in use. This basically means two things:
    • Always store your contacts in contact lens solution, unless you're wearing daily disposable lenses. Contact lens solution helps to clean, rinse, and disinfect your lenses.
    • Dispose of your contact lenses by the recommended date. Most lenses fall into one of three categories: dispose daily, dispose semi-weekly, or dispose monthly. Check your contact lenses for the recommended disposal date and don't wear them longer than that.[1]
  2. Wash your hands with soap. Rinse thoroughly to get rid of soap residue. Dry your hands with a towel (since paper towels or toilet paper may leave pieces behind) or, if possible, an air dryer.
  3. Remove one contact from its case. Unless the prescription is the same for both, remember to check whether it’s for your right or left eye. Always start with the same eye to avoid mixing up your two contacts. Remember to always handle your contacts gently so you don't rip or damage them.
  4. Place the contact on the index finger you’re most comfortable with using. Make sure that the contact is sitting hollow-side up on your fingertip with none of the side walls sticking to your finger. Hold your finger at eye-level. If the contact looks like a bowl or a sphere cut in half, it is correct. If the edges are flaring out, then it is inside out.
    • Make sure to handle the lens on the skin of your finger, not the nail of your fingertip. It might be easier if you put a little bit of solution on your finger where you intend to hold the contact lens.
    • If it’s a soft contact lens, make sure that it isn’t inside-out. It sounds obvious, but sometimes it's difficult to tell.
    • While it’s still on your finger, inspect the lens for rips, tears, or debris. If dust or debris is visible, rinse with lens solution.
  5. Gently pull your skin away from your eye. Use the index finger of your opposite hand to pull your upper eyelid upward; use the middle finger of your dominant hand (i.e. the one with the contact on it) to pull your lower eyelid downward. As you become more experienced, you’ll be able to do this just by pulling down your lower eyelid.
  6. Move the contact towards your eye calmly and steadily. Try not to blink or move jerkily. It may help to look upwards. It's also advised to not focus the eye that you're putting the contact into; this will make it easier to place the lens.
  7. Gently place the contact on your eye. Make sure it is centered over your iris (i.e. the circular, colored part of the eye), gently sliding it over your eyeball if necessary.
    • If this method is difficult you can also close your eye and look around (up, down, left, and right) to center the lens.
  8. Let go of the skin around your eye and blink slowly so as to not dislodge the contact. Take note of any pain or discomfort you may have. If you think that something may be wrong with your contact, remove and fully cleanse it, then try again.
  9. Repeat the process with the other contact. When finished, pour contact solution from the case into the sink and close the contact case.

Removing Contact Lenses

  1. Lubricate your eyes beforehand with eye drops. This isn't absolutely necessary each time, but it sure will help you remove your lenses if they're not lubricated and won't budge. Squeeze a couple drops of lubricating and rewetting solution into your eyes beforehand.
  2. Look up and place your middle finger from your dominant hand underneath your eye, pulling the eyelid down.
  3. Make contact with the lens using your index finger of the same hand. Slide the lens down to the bottom (white part) of your eye.
  4. With your index finger and thumb, squeeze gently and remove. Place the contact lens in contact lens solution or discard if already past the durability date.
  5. Repeat with the other eye, using the same hand for contact lens removal.
  6. Finished.

Tips

  • When you first put contacts in they will feel weird. That's perfectly normal.
  • Practice, practice, practice! After a week or so, you'll get the hang of it.
  • If the contact falls out of your eye, rinse it off completely with contact solution. (No exceptions!) Bending over a sink while inserting contacts is a good idea because it makes them easier to keep up with; just make sure to plug the drain first. A good, clean mirror is also useful – especially if it has magnification.
  • You may get frustrated if you don't get the contact in right away. Just wait a couple minutes and give it another try! It is easier to get the second contact in.
  • Exposing your eyes to smoke or shower, lake, or pool water may irritate them. For short periods of time, you can simply close your eyes; for longer periods, wear your glasses or goggles.
  • Wait until your eyes get accustomed to the light in the morning before putting the contacts in. You also may want to wash off any dried mucus near your eyes.
  • It'll be easier to put in your contacts if you attempt to do it with your optometrist or ophthalmologist first. Usually this is a requirement, but if not, suggest it.
  • If you think that the contact does not fit your eye, talk to your doctor; he or she can probably order you another brand or type of contact. Remember that you will need to regularly get your eyes checked so your prescription can be updated.
  • You may find it easier to see where you're putting your finger if you look at the reflection of the contact on your finger on your eye.
  • If your finger is dry when you put the contact on it, the contact will stick better, making it easier to put it in.
  • Some contact lenses have the numbers 123 on them, if they are backwards or upside down, then invert them and try again. If they are easily clear and you can clearly tell it's 123, then they are inverted correctly.
  • If you find it difficult to insert a lens without blinking, you can practice by putting a drop of solution on your finger, aiming for the white of your eye, and gently touching it.
  • When you are putting in a contact look in a mirror so you can see yourself putting it in. Also make sure you look up, down, and side to side, before closing your eye.
  • Remember that your eye doctor is there to help you. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance.

Warnings

  • Never rinse your contacts in regular tap water! This will just make them dirty (or drier than before). Tap water and even purified water can contain chemicals or bacteria.
  • Try to keep your hands away from your eyes while wearing them. If the lenses hurt or itch, remove and re-insert them.
  • Never put hand sanitizer on before putting in or taking out your contacts. (But do wash your hands!)
  • If you begin to experience any pain or discomfort, even after you have removed the contact, talk to your eye doctor.
  • Do not put your contacts in inside out or if they have small tears or rips.
  • If you insert the contact lenses and they don't feel right, remove them immediately and rinse with contact lens solution. If they still don't feel right, leave them out and consider seeing your eye doctor.
  • If your eyes are gritty or sore or red, do not put your contacts in.
  • Contacts require more upkeep than glasses: you have to clean them and put them away every night; however, glasses can get in the way during physical activity or daily activities. Thoroughly review your options before switching to contacts.
  • Be sure to put in your contact lenses before applying makeup to avoid contaminating your contact lenses. At the end of the day, remove your contact lenses before removing any eye makeup. (The rubbing motion used to remove makeup may rip or tear the contact.)
  • Always remove your contacts prior to sleeping unless you are prescribed extended wear contacts by your doctor. Sleeping with your contacts in may save time but it can cause a corneal ulcer on your eye (in which case you must stop wearing the contacts and see your doctor immediately). With sensitive eyes, the effects will be swift, causing pain and aversion to light the next day, but even less sensitive eyes will experience problems before long.
  • Make sure you replace your makeup frequently, before it gets bacteria in it, as it is extra dangerous for those with contact lenses.

Things You'll Need

  • Mirror
  • Contacts
  • Contact solution
  • Contact case
  • Eye drops for re-wetting itchy eyes

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/news/20090604/wearing-contact-lenses-past-their-prime
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Put_in_Contact_Lenses&oldid=314045"