Contact lenses are small, dome-shaped medical devices designed to rest directly on the eye’s surface, the cornea, to correct various vision problems. These devices float on the tear film layer, becoming an extension of the eye’s natural optics. For first-time users, touching the eye can feel intimidating and unnatural, triggering a protective response. Learning the handling techniques is simply a matter of developing muscle memory and following a few precise steps. This guide provides a clear, structured approach to successfully inserting and removing lenses.
Essential Pre-Insertion Steps
Rigorous hand hygiene is paramount before any lens touches your eye to prevent ocular infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with mild, unscented soap and water, scrubbing the palms, backs of the hands, and between the fingers for a minimum of 20 seconds. After rinsing, dry your hands completely using a lint-free towel or paper towel. Standard cloth towels can leave small fibers that may transfer to the lens and cause irritation or contamination.
Once your hands are clean, gently lift the contact lens from its storage solution using the index finger of your dominant hand. Hold the lens up to a light source to inspect it for any rips, chips, or adhering debris that could scratch the corneal surface. Any damaged lens should be discarded immediately to avoid eye injury.
Next, check the lens’s orientation to ensure it is not inside out, a common cause of discomfort and poor vision. A correctly oriented lens resembles a perfect, shallow bowl with smooth, upright edges, often described as a “taco” shape. If the edges flare outward, appearing like a soup bowl, the lens is inverted and must be flipped using fresh solution before insertion. Wearing an inside-out lens will cause constant irritation until corrected.
Mastering the Contact Lens Insertion Technique
The physical technique requires coordinated use of both hands to stabilize the eye and ensure smooth placement. Begin by placing the correctly oriented lens on the tip of your dominant hand’s index finger, ensuring the lens cup faces upward. The moisture from the lens solution helps it adhere temporarily to your fingertip, providing stability for the transfer.
With your non-dominant hand, use a clean finger (index or middle) to gently hold the upper eyelid near the lash line. Pull the upper lid up and back toward the brow bone to prevent involuntary blinking. This action provides a wide and stable opening for insertion.
Simultaneously, use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull the lower eyelid down toward the cheekbone. This three-point stabilization technique exposes the entire cornea for placement. Keeping the eyelids firmly separated ensures the lens can be placed without the lids pushing it away.
Keep your gaze steady and look directly ahead into a mirror or slightly upward, avoiding the tendency to look down at your finger. Slowly bring the index finger holding the lens toward the eye until the lens gently touches the center of the cornea. The lens should transfer smoothly from your finger to the moist surface of your eye.
Once the lens makes contact, slowly remove your index finger first, being careful not to drag the lens off center. Gently release the lower eyelid, followed by the upper eyelid, allowing the eye to close naturally. Keep your eye closed for a moment, then blink slowly a few times. This blinking action helps the lens center itself and settle comfortably. A properly inserted lens should feel virtually unnoticeable immediately.
Troubleshooting Common Beginner Issues
The most immediate hurdle beginners face is overcoming the involuntary blink reflex, a natural defense mechanism. Practice holding the eyelids firmly open with the stabilization technique. Focus your attention on a distant point or a fixed spot in the mirror rather than the approaching finger. Consistent, gentle practice will help desensitize the reflex, making insertion easier.
Sometimes, the lens may fold in half or stick stubbornly to the insertion finger instead of transferring to the eye. This often happens if the lens or the fingertip is too wet, creating surface tension that resists the transfer. Try drying your index finger slightly more before placing the lens on it, ensuring only the lens itself is moist from the solution.
If the lens lands on the white part of the eye (the sclera) instead of the cornea, do not attempt to rub or push it into place. Gently close your eye and move your gaze around in a circular motion; the lens will often float into the correct centered position on its own. If the lens feels persistently scratchy or uncomfortable after insertion, remove it immediately.
A persistent scratchy sensation usually indicates a foreign body, such as lint, or an inverted lens. Re-inspect the lens for debris, check the orientation again, rinse it thoroughly with fresh solution, and attempt insertion anew. Never wear a lens that causes sustained discomfort, as this can lead to corneal abrasion.
The Proper Way to Remove Contact Lenses
Contact lens removal begins with a quick refresh of hand hygiene to prevent transferring bacteria to the eye or the lens case. The most common technique is the “pinch” method, which requires stabilizing the upper and lower eyelids as you did for insertion. Look upward or directly ahead, and use the pads of your index finger and thumb to gently touch the edges of the lens.
A technique recommended for beginners is to gently slide the lens down onto the white of the eye (the sclera) before pinching it. This maneuver moves the lens off the highly sensitive cornea before the pinch is applied, preventing potential trauma. Once the lens is resting on the sclera, gently squeeze it between your index finger and thumb pads, causing it to fold slightly and lift cleanly off the eye.
A successful removal should be quick and painless, requiring minimal pressure or tugging. Immediately place the removed lens into the clean storage case filled with fresh, recommended cleaning or disinfecting solution. This ensures the lens is properly sanitized and hydrated before its next use.