Soft contact lenses, which are tiny, flexible plastic discs you place on the surface of your eye, improve your vision and appearance. According to MayoClinic.com, around 135 million people around the world wear contact lenses. Contact lenses come in many varieties, including single-use, which require almost no maintenance since you insert them in the morning and throw them away in the evening, and daily wear, which you replace every four to six weeks. If you've never worn contacts before, talk to your eye care professional about proper maintenance to minimize potential problems.
Step 1
Carefully cleanse and disinfect the area where you will be inserting the lenses. You'll need adequate lighting, a large mirror and access to your supplies.
Step 2
Wash your hands with an antibacterial hand soap to remove dirt and kill any germs and bacteria on your hands. Rinse your hands well and dry them with a linen or paper towel to avoid lint. Never touch your contact lenses when your hands are dirty.
Step 3
Open the lens case and remove the lens using the tip of your finger. Do not try to pull the lens out if it is stuck to the inside of the case. Instead, add some multipurpose solution, re-close the case and shake gently to loosen the lens. Make sure the lens is right-side up. According to Bausch & Lomb, you can tell if your lens is inside-out if the edges turn out instead of up.
Step 4
Place the lens gently in the palm of your hand. Rinse the lens using the multipurpose solution. Hold the lens under a steady stream of solution for 15 to 20 seconds. Return the lens to the tip of your finger. During this process, make sure your lens does not fall on any surfaces such as a sink or counter top. If this happens, rinse the lens again thoroughly before insertion.
Step 5
Look directly into the mirror. While balancing the lens on the tip of your finger, gently pull your lower eyelid down to open your eye using your middle finger.
Step 6
Insert the lens over your cornea. If you are relaxed, this process should go smoothly. If you are nervous, place the lens on the lower part of the white of your eye. Release your eyelid and look down. Blink a few times. Doing so will help the lens align itself over your iris.
Step 7
Repeat this process with the other lens.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial hand soap
- Multipurpose contact lens solution
- Contact lens storage case
- Lint-free towel
