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Eye Braces Clinic

How to put on contact lenses correctly

Contact Lens Guide: How to Put On Contact Lens

Convenience, comfort, and the freedom to pursue any lifestyle you want—switching to contact lenses can be a life-changer.

But as with any medical device, wearing contact lenses can also pose risks and all sorts of problems for your eyes if not handled or used properly.

There’s also the fact that putting in contact lenses and getting them out for the first time is simply nerve-wracking if you’re a first-time user!

At Eye Braces Clinic, we make it a point to walk our patients through the process of using contact lenses so they can avoid risks and improve their confidence.

Here’s a handy, step-by-step guide for first-time contact lens wearers like you.

Is there a 'best way' to put in and remove contact lenses?

Using your index finger and thumb

There’s no ‘best’ way to put on and remove your contact lenses.

The ‘best’ and ‘easiest’ way to use contact lenses will depend on what you are used to and your eyes’ condition at the time, amongst other factors.

Fortunately, while there is no one way to go about putting in your contact lenses, there are many proper and safe ways to do so.

Is there a difference between putting on hard or soft contact lenses?

Putting on your first contact lens

The main difference between hard and soft contacts is their material.

Silicone hydrogel is typically used for soft contacts, while rigid gas-permeable plastic is used for hard contacts.

As a result, soft contact lenses are easier and more comfortable to use than hard contact lenses.

Despite these differences, putting them on or removing them is pretty much the same.

How to prepare for using contact lenses

Always wash your hands thoroughly

You have to prepare both your eyes and lenses before wearing contacts. Here’s what to keep in mind:

  1. Double-check that you have the correct prescription. It’s normal to have different eye grades, so make sure that you know which grade belongs to which eye.

  2. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Choose a non-perfumed, antibacterial liquid soap to minimise the risk of irritation.

  3. Dry your hands using a lint-free towel to avoid getting fibres in your lenses.

  4. Check that your contact lenses aren’t inside out. Hold it up to the light. If the edges flare out when you put the lens on the tip of your finger, gently turn them inside out so they are in the correct position.

  5. Ensure your eyes don’t feel uncomfortable or dry. You can use eye drops to add moisture to your eyes before putting contact lenses in.

  6. Identify your dominant hand and non-dominant hand. You will use the dominant hand to fish out and put in your contacts, while your non-dominant hand will serve as the ‘receptacle’ as you clean and check your lenses for lint.

How to put on contact lenses

Putting on contact lenses

Now that you have both your contact lenses and eyes ready, it’s time to put in your contact lens.

Follow these steps:

  1. Using your clean and dry hands, hold your lens with the non-dominant hand and rinse it using a contact lens solution.

  2. Put the lens on the top of your dominant hand’s index finger or middle finger.

  3. Hold the lens up to the light. Check your contact lens for any tears and damage. Also, make sure that it isn’t inside down. Discard the lenses if there are any signs of damage.

  4. Look in the mirror. Using fingers from your non-dominant hand, hold your upper eyelid and lower eyelid open. Your index finger from your dominant hand will put in your contact lenses.

  5. Decide whether looking in front of the mirror or upwards at the ceiling is more comfortable for you, then gently place the lens in your eye.

  6. Close your eye slowly and get the contact lens to settle into place. You may slowly roll your eye around or rub the eyelid gently to do so.

  7. Blink your eyes open and assess your comfort. Adjust for comfort if needed. You might need to take it out and start again. Just be gentle and patient! Your eyes and lenses are delicate.

  8. Repeat the process on your other eye.

How to take out contact lenses

Removing contact lenses

Great job on getting your contact lenses on! Here’s how to remove them safely:

  1. Just like putting your contact lens in, you need to wash your hands thoroughly and dry them well before removing your lenses.

  2. Gently pull down your lower eyelid using the middle finger of your dominant hand, and then use your index finger to move the lens to the white part of your eye.

  3. Remove your contacts by pinching the lens using your thumb and index finger. It might be easier if you have short nails to prevent scratching your eyeball or lens.

How to clean your contact lenses after removal

Clean with contact lens solution

After successfully getting your contact lens out of your eyes, you must clean and disinfect them thoroughly for storage.

This step is only necessary if you use weekly, monthly, or yearly contact lenses.

For dailies, the last step ends with getting them out and disposing of them properly.

  1. Clean your contact lens case using a saline solution or contact lens solution. Do not use regular water.

  2. Put the lens on the palm of your non-dominant hand. Add the saline solution and gently rub it on your palm for about 30 seconds to get rid of dirt, lint, or oil. Then, hold the lens with your thumb and index finger and rinse it with solution again.

  3. Put the contact lens in the lens case and fill it with the solution until the indication line. The lenses must be fully submerged and covered by the solution.

  4. Repeat the process for your other lens.

Caring for your contact lenses: Some do's and don'ts

Eye care step by step instructions

To keep your eyes safe and healthy while you wear contacts, you need to follow their care instructions properly.

Here are some important reminders to keep in mind:

Do’s

  • If you use reusable lenses, mark the date that you opened the lenses, so you know when it’s time to discard them.

  • Store your contact lenses in disinfecting solution, and use only fresh contact solution when cleaning, rinsing, and storing your lenses.

  • Replace your contact lens case every 3 months.

  • Handle your contact lenses with the utmost care. Avoid having long nails, especially if you’re not used to using contact lenses.

Don’ts

  • Don’t try to extend the life of your lenses. Chuck them out when they expire.

  • Don’t use tap water to clean, store or disinfect your lens.

  • Don’t sleep, bathe, or go underwater in your contact lenses.

What else should you consider?

Using contact lenses for the first time can require a steeper learning curve before becoming second nature, so it helps to know more about it.

Here is more of what you may be concerned about when wearing lenses from our resident eye doctor:

Wearing eye makeup with contact lenses

Applying eye makeup

It’s possible to wear lenses with eye makeup so long as you take care not to transfer any oils to the lenses.

Always put your contacts on before your makeup, and wash your hands before handling them.

You can still get fungal eye infections, even with proper contact lens care

Risk of eye infections

The risk of developing an infection is still present even with proper care.

So if your lifestyle allows for it, it is better to use daily disposables instead of lenses on extended wear.

Contact lenses and UV light

Contact lenses with UV protection

Excessive ultraviolet exposure can result in photokeratitis or ‘snow blindness.’

Ask your eye doctor for contact lenses with UV-blocking agents to lessen your exposure to UV light.

Still having trouble putting on your contact lenses or removing them?

Consult an experienced optometrist to check your eye health

Any new activity can be daunting—even wearing contact lenses.

So don’t force it; stressing out will only make putting contact lenses and removing them more difficult.

With that said, be sure to consult your eye doctor for the most suitable contact lenses for your condition and lifestyle to eliminate the risks of adverse reactions from the wrong prescription, type, size, or fit.

Eye Braces Clinic offers professional lens fitting and assessment for anyone looking to use contacts to address their vision problems.

Get fitted today, and come give us a visit!

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