Eye Health
Introduction to
Contact Lenses
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Put In Contact Lenses
You just got fitted for your first pair of contact lenses and now what do you do? Here’s a guide on how to put in your new contacts lenses and care for them.
You just got fitted for your first pair of contact lenses and now what do you do? Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to put in your new contacts lenses and care for them, properly, helping you avoid mistakes that could irritate your eyes.
Hygiene
The best contact lenses are dailies as you are wearing a sterilized lens every time. If dailies contact lenses are not an option, here’s how to maintain proper hygiene with bi-weekly or monthly disposables:
1. Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before inserting and removing contact lenses. This helps prevent transferring bacteria that could cause eye infections.
2. Avoid using oil-based lotions or soaps before handling your contact lenses.
3. Always ensure you are using fresh contact lens solution to store your lenses. Do not top off solution when you refill your bottle; completely empty it first and then refill it with new solution.
4. Never use tap water or saliva to disinfect your contact lenses.
5. Replace your contact lens case and solution every three months.
After thoroughly cleaning and drying your hands, it's time to prepare your contact lenses. Gently shake the lens storage case to loosen the contact lens if it's sticking to the container. First up is retrieving one from the case and using the tip of a finger from whichever hand is less adept. Always remember, use your fingertips not nails when handling lenses; mishandling them may damage them.
What you want to do is thoroughly rinse the lens with contact lens solution. It's important NOT to use tap water as microscopic organisms can cause serious eye infection.
How to put in contacts
Step 1: Position the Lens
To appropriately position your contact lens, use your non-dominant hand to place the lens on the tip of either your index or middle finger of your dominant hand. Check that the edges form a bowl shape before moving ahead, ensuring the lens is right-side out; otherwise, it may be flipped inside out. If it's inside out, turn it gently before application.
Always inspect for any torn or damaged areas before insertion. Correct placement of the contacts guarantees comfort while minimizing irritation. Damaged lenses should never be inserted as they can scratch your eye or cause discomfort.
Step 2: Inserting the Lens
Keep a mirror handy for this step. Hold your upper eyelid open with one hand while using the middle or ring finger of your dominant hand to pull down your lower eyelid. This creates enough space for the lens. Guide the lens towards the eye with your finger. If the lens is having trouble staying on the eye, you can wiggle it to get it to settle in better. This tends to work better than slight pressure on the eye (especially if you're squeamish).
Step 3: Settling the Lens
The process of inserting a contact lens begins with gently closing one's eye around the lens before adjusting for comfort by opening and closing the eyelid. Slow and steady wins this race. Blink a few times to help center the lens. You can also massage your closed eyelid gently to help position the lens correctly. When properly inserted, the lens should feel comfortable with no sensation of something in your eye.
Step 4: Repeat for the Other Eye
Lastly, it is important to mention that you should repeat the identical steps for your other eye as well. It is important to understand that every eye is distinct and has its specific needs—one eye is always easier than the other. Thus, it is crucial that you follow this complete process separately for each eye.
Helpful Tips for New Contact Lens Users
As a new contact lens user, consider keeping your fingernails short to prevent accidentally scratch your eye.
Always insert the first contact lens in the same eye, either left or right, to avoid mixing up different prescriptions.
Keep your eyes moist throughout the day by using rewetting drops as recommended by your optometrist. Drinking water regularly also helps maintain eye hydration.
Remember to blink regularly when using digital devices to prevent dry eyes.
Remember these Don’ts
Contact lenses should be handled with care. After all, they go directly into your eyes. Regardless of which type of lenses you wear, here are 10 things you should never do as a contact lens wearer:
1. Sleep with your contact lenses.
2. Rub your eyes while wearing contact lenses, which can irritate your eye or dislodge the lens.
3. Use dirty hands to handle your contact lenses, increasing risk of eye infection.
4. Leave specs of makeup on your contact lenses.
5. Shower or swim with your contact lenses in (we’re also including bathing or relaxing in a hot tub with them too). Water can carry bacteria that cling to your contact lenses and cause infections, which is also why you should never store your lenses in tap water. (Use the contact lens solution instead.)
6. Get close to heat sources, such as fire, which can dry out contact lenses.
7. Reuse contact lens solution.
8. Forget to clean your contact lenses and case if you don’t use dailies.
9. Wear them when your eyes are irritated.
10. Overwear them – your eyes need time to rest. Contact lenses shouldn’t be worn for more than 10-16 hours per day to help keep your eyes moist and healthy.
Consult with your FYidoctors optometrist if you have any questions or concerns about putting in your contact lenses or if you experience any discomfort.