Putting contact lenses into your eyes for the first time can feel daunting due to the natural apprehension about touching the eye’s surface. This hesitation is normal because the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye, possesses a high density of sensory nerves. Learning the correct procedural habits from the start will make the process routine and comfortable quickly. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step understanding of the insertion process for new wearers.
Essential Preparation Before Handling Lenses
The process begins with meticulous hand hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly with mild, non-cosmetic soap and water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring you scrub the back of your hands and under the fingernails. Drying your hands completely with a clean, lint-free towel is equally important; residual moisture can harbor bacteria or cause the lens to stick to your finger prematurely.
Once your hands are clean and dry, carefully remove the lens from its storage case using the tip of your index finger. Avoid using fingernails or tweezers, which can scratch the delicate lens surface or introduce contaminants. Before attempting insertion, you must confirm the lens is not inside out, a common mistake that causes immediate discomfort upon placement.
To check the orientation, place the lens on your fingertip and hold it up to the light, inspecting its profile. If the lens forms a perfect, smooth bowl shape with edges pointing straight up, it is correctly oriented (the “U” or “bowl” shape). If the edges flare outward, resembling a “V” shape, the lens is inside out and must be flipped carefully before proceeding.
Step-by-Step Guide to Insertion
The actual insertion requires stabilizing the eyelids to prevent the involuntary blink reflex. Begin by placing the clean lens on the pad of your dominant hand’s index finger, ensuring your finger is dry so the lens adheres to the eye rather than your skin. Use the middle finger of the same hand to firmly pull down the lower eyelid against the bony orbit of the eye socket.
To maximize the eye’s opening and stabilize the upper lid, use the index or middle finger of your non-dominant hand to gently pull the upper lid toward your eyebrow. This two-finger technique effectively opens the space between the eyelids. Keeping both lids held open is the most effective way to ensure a successful first attempt.
Bring the lens slowly toward the eye, maintaining focus on a point directly in front of you or slightly upward. Many beginners find it helpful to look up toward the ceiling while placing the lens on the lower white part of the eye (the sclera). The lens will naturally slide into the correct central position once the eyelids are released. Alternatively, aim to place the lens directly onto the cornea while looking straight ahead.
Gently touch the lens to the cornea, and it should transfer from your fingertip to the eye’s surface. Once the lens is on the eye, slowly remove the index finger, then release the lower lid, and finally release the upper lid. Rushing this release can cause the lens to dislodge or fold before it has fully settled onto the tear film.
Checking for Proper Placement and Initial Comfort
Once the lens is successfully transferred to the eye, the next step is allowing it to settle correctly onto the cornea. Close your eye gently for a moment, then begin a series of slow, deliberate blinks. This action allows the eyelid margins to sweep the lens into its proper central position over the iris and flush out any initial air bubbles trapped beneath the lens.
After a few blinks, look into a mirror to visually confirm the lens is centered directly over the colored part of your eye, the iris. A correctly placed lens will be virtually invisible and should not feel like a foreign object moving across the eye’s surface. It should move slightly with your eye movements but remain primarily centered.
A normal initial sensation might include mild awareness or slight temporary watering of the eye, which is a natural response to the new object. These sensations subside within minutes as the tear film stabilizes around the lens material. Sharp pain, persistent burning, or the feeling that the lens is constantly moving are signs of poor fit, inside-out orientation, or contamination, and the lens should be removed immediately.
Common Challenges and Quick Fixes for Beginners
Lens Folding or Dropping
First-time wearers frequently encounter minor issues that can be easily resolved. One common challenge occurs when the soft lens folds or collapses onto itself on the fingertip due to excess moisture or pressure. If this happens, do not attempt to pry the lens open with your fingernails; instead, gently place it back into a small pool of fresh solution in the case or on a clean palm. The lens will usually unfold itself quickly in the solution, allowing you to pick it up again with a dry fingertip.
If the lens accidentally drops onto a clean, dry surface, it can often be retrieved safely. Handle the lens only with freshly washed hands and rinse it thoroughly with fresh contact lens solution before attempting re-insertion to remove any debris.
Placement and Sticking Issues
If the lens is inserted but shifts off the cornea onto the white sclera, you can re-center it without removal. Close your eyelids and gently massage the lens back toward the center of your eye through the closed lid. Alternatively, use a clean fingertip to gently push the edge of the lens back over the iris while looking in the opposite direction.
A common challenge is when the lens sticks firmly to the index finger and refuses to transfer to the eye. This indicates your fingertip is too wet, creating surface tension that holds the lens. To fix this, lightly dry the pad of your insertion finger on a clean towel, then try the insertion again, ensuring the eye’s surface is moist enough.