Putting contacts in and taking them out can be a bit scary to someone prescribed contact lenses for the first time. There is no reason for concern. If you take the proper precautions, there is very little risk to your eyes. Handling the contacts also gets easier with a little practice. Most people get over their initial apprehension after the first few days.
Using Contacts
Step 1
Scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and water. You must do this before you put contacts in and take them out. Dirty hands are the primary cause of eye infections and irritation. Washing your hands eliminates most of this risk.
Step 2
Close the drain of the sink. If you are putting contacts in or taking them out in a bathroom, chances are there is a sink nearby. Dropped contacts tend to find their way down the drain.
Step 3
Remove the contact from the container and place it on your fingertip. Check that the sides curve up and not outward. This is how you know that the contact is facing the right direction. Squirt a steady stream of multipurpose solution at the contact for at least 5 seconds to cleanse it.
Step 4
Stand in front of a mirror and open your eyes wide. Pull the skin under your eye down as you do this to discourage blinking. Look straight ahead into the mirror as you gently place the contact on your eyeball. As soon as you feel pressure, pull your finger away. The contact should stick to your eye.
Step 5
Blink a few times to position the contact in your eye. Check to see that you are seeing clearly. If you are not, the contact is not in your eye or it is backward. Add a few rewetting drops if your eyes feel dry.
Step 6
Remove your contacts when you no longer need them. Some lenses can be kept on the eye overnight, however it is always best to take them out when you sleep if you can. The longer contacts are on your eye, the greater the risk of infection and irritation.
Step 7
Take out your contacts the same way you put them in. Open your eyes wide in front of a mirror and stare straight ahead. Use your index finger and thumb to pinch the sides of the contact together. This will fold the contact in half and remove it from your eye. This will not damage the contact if you do it carefully.
Step 8
Allow the contacts to float in multipurpose solution inside their container. This cleans, disinfects and stores the contacts. Make sure the right contact lens goes in the correct side. Many people have different prescriptions for each eye. Close the lid to the container tight or the liquid will evaporate and the contacts will dry up.
Things You'll Need
- Contact lenses
- Soap
- Water
- Mirror
- Contact case
- Multipurpose solution
- Rewetting drops
