Contact lenses offer a convenient way to correct vision without wearing glasses, but their safe use depends entirely on proper handling. The process of inserting and removing these delicate medical devices requires both hygienic practices and a gentle, precise technique to protect the health of your eyes. Understanding the correct steps helps prevent common issues like eye irritation, infection, or lens damage.
Essential Preparation Before Handling Lenses
Start by washing your hands completely with mild soap and water, ensuring you scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds. Avoid using soaps containing heavy fragrances, lotions, or oils, as these residues can easily transfer to the lens surface and cause eye irritation or blurry vision. Dry your hands completely with a clean, lint-free towel, since excess moisture can make the lens stick to your finger instead of your eye.
Next, inspect the lens itself by placing it on the tip of your index finger. Look closely for any debris, tears, or nicks in the material. Confirming the lens is oriented correctly is a critical step before insertion. A properly positioned lens should form a smooth, symmetrical bowl with the edges pointing straight up, often referred to as the “taco test.” If the edges flare outward, resembling a saucer, the lens is inside out and must be gently flipped before proceeding.
Detailed Guide to Lens Insertion
Begin the insertion process by placing the clean, correctly oriented lens on the tip of your dominant hand’s index finger. Using the middle finger of the same hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to create an opening. To prevent blinking and keep the eye open, use your non-dominant hand to hold the upper eyelid and lashes up toward the eyebrow.
With the lids held steady, look straight ahead into a mirror or slightly upward toward the ceiling. Slowly and steadily bring the index finger holding the lens toward the center of your eye until the lens makes contact with the cornea.
Once the lens is on your eye, withdraw your index finger and release the lower eyelid first, then the upper eyelid. Close your eye slowly, and blink a few times gently to allow the lens to settle and center itself naturally on the cornea. If the lens feels uncomfortable or vision is blurred, it may be slightly off-center and can be gently moved into place by sliding it with a clean fingertip over the closed eyelid.
Safe Techniques for Lens Removal
If the lens feels dry or sticky, applying a few drops of approved rewetting solution can rehydrate the lens, making it more flexible and easier to remove without causing discomfort.
The most common approach is the “pinch” method: look up and use your middle finger to pull down the lower eyelid. With your index finger and thumb, gently touch the lens and slide it down onto the white part of your eye. Once the lens is on the sclera, gently pinch the lens between the pads of your index finger and thumb, lifting it away from the eye.
An alternative approach is the “slide” method. After stabilizing the eyelids, use the pad of your index finger to gently slide the lens down toward the lower eyelid. Continue sliding the lens off the eye entirely onto the lower lid, or until it folds and can be easily grasped and removed. Regardless of the method, always use the pads of your fingers, not your fingernails, to prevent damaging the lens or scratching the eye’s surface.
Troubleshooting and Post-Removal Care
Handling Stuck or Damaged Lenses
If a lens folds upon itself or sticks together outside the eye, soak it in fresh contact lens solution for a few minutes. The moisture should cause the soft material to relax, allowing you to gently rub it between your fingers to unfold it without tearing. If a lens feels scratchy after insertion, it may be inside out, in which case it should be removed, flipped, rinsed, and reinserted.
A lens that feels stuck in the eye is usually just dehydrated and will not travel to the back of the eye, as a natural membrane prevents this. Apply rewetting drops or saline solution to hydrate the lens, then close your eye and gently massage the eyelid to help reposition the lens to the center. Blinking repeatedly while looking in the opposite direction of where the lens is lodged can also help dislodge it.
Cleaning and Storage
For reusable lenses, immediate care after removal is necessary to maintain eye health. Place the lens in the palm of your hand, add fresh multipurpose solution, and rub the lens gently for the time recommended by the manufacturer to clean the surface of deposits. Rinse the lens thoroughly with more fresh solution before placing it into the clean lens case, ensuring it is fully immersed in new solution for storage. Always replace the lens case every three months to minimize the accumulation of bacteria and other microorganisms.