How to insert (and remove!) your contact lenses.
Inserting and removing your contact lenses can take some getting used to, but don’t worry! This is a process that you can do easily with enough practice. There are different ways of inserting and removing contact lenses, and every wearer gets to choose which method is most comfortable. Soon, you will find the method that works best for you!
Here are a few tips to keep in mind before inserting your contacts:
1. Make sure your hands are CLEAN and DRY!
Wash your hands with a mild soap–avoid soaps with fragrance or lotion because these can irritate your eyes. Also, it is very important to thoroughly dry your hands with any lint-free towel before handling lenses or touching your eye. Tap water can carry a microorganism called Acanthamoeba. This microorganism can cause a rare, but severe eye infection that can lead to permanent visual impairment or blindness.
So remember to Wash and Dry your hands well.
2. Check to make sure your right lens is right and left lens is left.
The correct lens in the proper eye will ensure the best vision possible! Storing your lenses separately will also help to prevent any eye infection from spreading from one eye to the other.
3. Handle your contact lenses gently.
Taking the time to be gentle with your lens will help prevent rips or tears in the lens, which can sometimes be painful when placing on your eye.
4. Do not overwear your contacts!
Only wear your contacts for the amount of time recommended by your eye doctor. This will help ensure that your eyes remain healthy and will ultimately reduce your chances of infection!
5. Don’t forget to clean your contact lenses!
Cleaning your contact lenses will reduce your risk of infection and also improve your eye comfort. The removal of protein and lipid deposits from the surface of your contacts should be done both before insertion and immediately after removal. Only use doctor-approved saline solutions for the cleaning of your contact lenses and contact case. The use of homemade saline solution for cleaning runs the same risk of infection as the tap water mentioned earlier.
To properly clean your contact lenses, gently place one contact lens into the palm of your hand with a few drops of contact solution. With the soft pad of your fingertip, gently rub each side of the contact lens in small circles for about 5 to 10 seconds. Then rinse all that residue right off your lens! (Take care to not accidentally drop your lens, though!) Repeat this process with your other contact lens.
Also, many lenses require 6 to 8 hours of soaking time every day, therefore it is important to consult your specific contact solution directions and your knowledgeable eye care professional here at Louisiana Family Eyecare!
Here is a video tutorial on how to insert and remove your contact lenses:
How to Insert Your Lenses
1. Wash and rinse your hands thoroughly; dry completely with a lint-free towel. Start with your right eye.
2. Remove the lens from the package or case and gently shake off excess solution.
3. Place the contact lens on the tip of your right forefinger and allow it to dry slightly (about 5 seconds).
4. Hold the lens up above eye level and check the edge from the side to find the special detail that tells you if the lens is inside out:
Some lenses numbers– if the marker reads “123” then the lens is positioned correctly. However, it the marker reads “321” then the lens is inside out, and you need to flip it over before you put it in your eye.
The edges of the contact also show whether the contact is inside out:
If the edges of the contact form an almost perfect bowl with the
edges pointing up, it is right side out.
If the edges are flaring outward, it is inside out.
5. Keep the lens on your right forefinger; pull down the lower lid with the middle finger of your right hand. If necessary, also use the forefinger or middle finger of your left hand to lift the upper eyelid.
6. Gently place the lens over the colored part of your eye. You do not have to put pressure on your eye.
7. Continue to hold the lids in position. Slowly release the lids and blink. The lens will center automatically.
8. If the lens does not center, close your eyelid and gently massage the lens into place through the closed lid.
9.Repeat the above steps with the left eye.
How to Remove Your Lenses
1. Wash your hands as stated above.
2. Look in the mirror.
3. Make sure that the contact lens has not slipped and that it is still on the eye.
4. Look upwards and pull the contact lens to the lower half of the eye with the finger tip.
5. Grasp the contact lens carefully between thumb and forefinger and lift it off of your eye.
Good luck!
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