Hard contacts lenses, also called rigid gas-permeable, are small and made of a stiff plastic material. The lenses fit directly over the cornea and correct vision and astigmatisms. There are two methods used to insert hard contact lenses into the eye properly. Individuals need to experiment with each method to see which works best.
First Insertion Method
Step 1
Wash hands with a mild bar of soap and dry thoroughly.
Step 2
Stand in front of a mirror. Open the contact case and remove a contact lens with a finger.
Step 3
Place the contact lens on the end of the finger, with the curve of the contact facing upward.
Step 4
Place a drop or two of the contact-lens conditioning solution on the lens, if necessary.
Step 5
Use the middle finger to pull the lower eyelid down and away from the eye, forming a pocket.
Step 6
Place the hard contact lens on the inner portion of the lower eyelid and remove your index finger.
Step 7
Release the lower eyelid and allow the contact lens to make contact with the eye. The contact lens should be positioned correctly on the cornea.
Second Insertion Method
Step 1
Wash hands and remove the hard contact lens from case. Place your contact lens on the tip of the index finger.
Step 2
Use the middle finger to pull the lower eyelid down. Take the middle finger of the opposite hand to lift the upper eyelid.
Step 3
Open the eye wide and insert the contact by placing the lens directly onto the cornea.
Step 4
Release the lower eyelid and then release the upper eyelid.
Step 5
Blink once the position of the contact lens is correct.
Tips and Warnings
- To avoid placing the contact lens in the wrong eye, always start with the same eye each time.
- If the contact lens sticks to the sclera instead of the cornea, close the eye and gently massage the contact lens to the cornea with the side of the index finger.
