Putting in contact lenses for the first time can feel challenging, often triggering hesitation about touching your eye. While initial intimidation is common, the process of inserting a soft contact lens is straightforward and becomes second nature with practice. This guide simplifies the technique into easy-to-follow steps for a smooth and comfortable experience. Success relies on meticulous preparation and a calm, deliberate approach.
Essential Preparation Before Handling Lenses
Proper hand hygiene is the single most important step before touching your lenses or eyes, significantly reducing the risk of infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with a mild, non-lotion, non-fragranced soap, since oils and creams transfer easily to the lens surface, causing irritation or blurry vision. Afterward, dry your hands completely using a clean, lint-free towel. Residual moisture or lint on the lens acts as a foreign body, causing immediate discomfort upon insertion.
Next, examine the lens to ensure it is clean and correctly oriented. Place the lens on the tip of your dominant index finger and hold it up to the light. A correctly oriented lens resembles a perfect bowl with edges curving smoothly upward, often called the “taco” shape. If the edges flare slightly outward, the lens is inside out and must be gently flipped. Always check for debris, tears, or nicks; if the lens is damaged, discard it and use a fresh one, as a compromised lens can scratch the cornea.
Step-by-Step Guide to Insertion
Begin by placing the lens on the tip of your dominant index finger, ensuring your finger is dry so the lens releases easily. The lens should rest securely on the fingertip, ready for transfer to the eye’s surface. To gain a clear path and prevent the natural blink reflex, you must hold your eyelids open with firm pressure.
Use your non-dominant hand’s index or middle finger to firmly pull your upper eyelid up, holding it against the bone just beneath your eyebrow. Simultaneously, use the middle finger of the hand holding the lens to gently pull your lower eyelid down, exposing the lower portion of your eyeball. This two-point anchoring of the eyelids disables the involuntary blink response, allowing you to proceed without interruption.
While maintaining a steady hold on both eyelids, look straight ahead into a mirror or slightly upward toward the ceiling. Slowly bring the finger holding the lens toward your eye until it gently touches the surface, either directly onto the iris or the white of the eye below it. The lens naturally adheres to the moist surface of your eye, transferring from your finger. Once the lens is on the eye, slowly remove your finger and look down before releasing your lower lid, and then your upper lid.
Finally, blink slowly and gently a few times to allow the lens to settle and center itself naturally on the cornea. The lens should feel comfortable immediately, and your vision should be clear shortly after centering. If the lens feels uncomfortable or out of place, remove it, rinse it with fresh solution, and attempt the insertion again.
Troubleshooting Common Insertion Difficulties
The most frequent hurdle beginners face is the strong blinking reflex, triggered when an object approaches the eye. Overcoming this reflex requires the firm separation of the eyelids using the described technique, ensuring the eyelashes are held back and cannot brush the lens. If the reflex persists, try looking away from the lens, perhaps focusing on your ear in the mirror, while bringing the lens in from the side.
If the lens folds or sticks to your finger during the attempt, it often indicates a lack of lubrication or an issue with hydration. Ensure the lens is adequately moist with contact lens solution and that your fingertip is completely dry before placement. If the lens folds on the eye, remove it immediately, rinse it with solution, and reattempt the insertion.
Immediate stinging or a gritty sensation after insertion usually means there is debris on the lens or that the lens is inside out. If the lens feels uncomfortable, remove it, inspect it for the correct bowl shape, and rinse it thoroughly with fresh solution to remove any trapped particles. If a lens does not settle in the center of the eye, close your eye and gently massage your eyelid to encourage the lens to slide into the correct position over the cornea. If the lens remains uncentered, rewet your eye with lubricating drops and gently slide the lens back to the center using a clean fingertip.