Switching to contact lenses offers a popular and effective method for vision correction, providing freedom away from traditional glasses. While the process may seem awkward at first, it is a straightforward skill that rapidly improves with consistent practice. Understanding the correct, step-by-step technique is important for achieving a comfortable and effective fit every day.
Hygiene and Pre-Insertion Checks
Maintaining proper hygiene is the first defense against introducing microbes and irritants to the eye’s surface. Begin by washing your hands thoroughly with mild soap and warm water, focusing on removing dirt, oils, or skin lotions. Residue from scented soaps or moisturizing products can easily transfer to the lens and cause significant irritation or temporary fogging.
Dry your hands completely using a clean, lint-free towel, as water droplets can carry contaminants or dilute the lens solution. Before application, confirm you have the correct lens for the corresponding eye if your vision prescriptions differ. Placing the wrong lens in the wrong eye can cause visual distortion, strain, and headaches.
Next, check the lens orientation to ensure it is not inside out, a common source of persistent discomfort. Place the lens on your fingertip and observe its profile against the light; a correctly oriented lens resembles a smooth bowl shape with edges curling gently upward. If the edges flare slightly outward, appearing like a shallow dish, the lens is inverted and must be carefully flipped. If the lens appears dirty or dry, rinse it with fresh, sterile contact lens solution before application.
Step-by-Step Insertion Technique
Once the lens is clean and correctly oriented, place it securely on the pad of your dominant hand’s index or middle finger. The lens should sit centered on the fingertip, ensuring the edges do not fold over or touch other surfaces. Position yourself in front of a mirror with adequate lighting to maintain a clear view of your eye.
The most challenging initial hurdle is overcoming the natural blinking reflex, which requires securing both the upper and lower eyelids. Use the index or middle finger of your non-dominant hand to firmly pull the upper eyelid up toward the eyebrow bone. This action holds the eyelashes flat against the brow, preventing them from brushing the lens or initiating a blink.
Simultaneously, use the middle or ring finger of your dominant hand to pull the lower eyelid down firmly against the orbital bone. This combined technique holds the eye open, creating a wide opening for the lens. Maintaining this opposing tension on both lids is the most important action to bypass the involuntary blink reflex.
A common application method involves looking upward while keeping both eyelids secured. Slowly bring the lens toward the lower white part of your eye, known as the sclera, just beneath the colored iris. Touching the lens gently to the sclera avoids the sensitive central cornea, which is the area most likely to trigger a strong blinking response.
Alternatively, some users prefer to look straight ahead into the mirror, aiming the lens directly onto the center of the cornea. If using this method, the approach must be confident and deliberate to minimize the time the lens is near the sensitive ocular surface. Once the lens tip touches the eye, the natural surface tension of the tear film instantly draws the lens away from your finger.
After the lens has adhered to the ocular surface, slowly remove the insertion finger first, then gradually release the lower eyelid. Finally, release the upper eyelid, allowing the eye to close naturally and slowly. Releasing the eyelids too quickly can trap air bubbles beneath the lens or cause the lens to fold or dislodge before it has settled.
Post-Insertion Confirmation and Comfort
Immediately following placement, close your eye and perform a few slow, gentle blinks to help the lens center itself over the iris. The lens floats naturally on the tear film, and these movements allow the eyelid forces to correctly position the lens onto the central cornea. A quick vision check should confirm clear and stable sight, indicating the lens is correctly seated.
If you experience persistent discomfort, scratching, or blurry vision, the lens may be inverted, dirty, or have trapped a small air bubble. Avoid rubbing your eye and immediately wash your hands before carefully removing the lens with your fingertips. Rinse it thoroughly with fresh contact lens solution to remove any debris or air bubbles. Re-inserting the clean, properly oriented lens should resolve initial comfort issues.