Contact lenses correct vision by resting directly on the surface of the eye. This delicate environment requires a meticulous approach to handling, application, removal, and maintenance. Mastering these techniques is fundamental for ensuring both long-term eye health and comfortable lens wear. This guide walks new users through the necessary steps to integrate contact lenses safely into their daily routine.
Essential Hygiene and Lens Preparation
Thorough hand hygiene is the most important step before touching a contact lens or your eye. Wash your hands completely with a mild, non-lotion, non-fragrance soap and running water for at least twenty seconds. Residues from lotions or oils can transfer to the lens surface, causing irritation or clouding. Dry your hands completely afterward with a clean, lint-free towel or cloth.
Once hands are clean, inspect the lens before placement. Hold the lens on the tip of your index finger and examine its shape from the side. A properly oriented lens forms a smooth, symmetrical bowl, often described as a “U” shape. If the edges flare outward, resembling a “W” shape, the lens is inside out and must be flipped.
Always check the lens for debris, tears, or nicks before use. If damage is found, discard the lens immediately to prevent corneal injury. If your prescription differs for each eye, establish a routine of always starting the process with the same eye to avoid mixing them up.
Step-by-Step Insertion and Removal
Insertion Technique
Place the correctly oriented lens on the tip of your dominant hand’s index finger, maintaining its bowl shape. Use the middle finger of the same hand to pull down the lower eyelid. With your non-dominant hand, lift the upper eyelid and hold it firmly against your brow bone to prevent blinking.
Holding both eyelids wide open prevents the involuntary blink reflex from interfering with placement. Look straight ahead or slightly upward, avoiding looking directly at the approaching finger. Gently and steadily bring the lens toward your eye until it makes contact with the cornea.
The lens should adhere instantly to the eye’s moist surface. Slowly withdraw your index finger, keep your gaze steady, and release the lower eyelid first, followed by the upper eyelid. Close your eye slowly, roll your eye gently, and blink a few times to help the lens center itself. If the lens feels uncomfortable, remove it, rinse it thoroughly with solution, and inspect it before re-attempting insertion.
Removal Technique
Ensure your hands are cleaned and dried before removal. The most common method for soft lenses is the pinch technique, which requires breaking the lens’s seal before physical removal. Use your non-dominant hand to hold your eyelids open using the stabilizing grip employed for insertion.
Look straight ahead or slightly upward, then use the index finger of your dominant hand to gently slide the lens down onto the white part of your eye (the sclera). This deliberate step protects the sensitive central cornea during removal. Once the lens is on the sclera, gently pinch it between the pads of your index finger and thumb.
Use only the soft pads of your fingertips to avoid scratching the eye or damaging the lens. As you lightly pinch the lens, it should fold slightly and lift away from the eye’s surface with minimal effort.
Daily Care, Storage, and Safety
Immediate and proper cleaning is required after lens removal to eliminate accumulated deposits and debris. For reusable lenses, the “rub and rinse” method is the standard of care. Place the lens in your clean palm, add fresh multipurpose solution, and gently rub it with your fingertip for the time recommended by the manufacturer.
Rinse the lens thoroughly with a steady stream of fresh solution to wash away loosened debris. Place the lens into its case well and completely cover it with new, sterile solution. Never reuse or “top off” old solution, as this diminishes its disinfecting power.
Only approved contact lens solutions should be used for cleaning and storage. Tap water, saliva, or homemade saline solutions must never touch the lenses, as they contain microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections.
To maintain a sterile environment, clean the lens case after every use by emptying the old solution, rinsing it with fresh solution, and allowing it to air-dry upside down with the caps off. Replace the case at least every three months, as the plastic can harbor bacteria. Adhere strictly to the prescribed wear schedule, and never sleep in your lenses without professional approval.
If you experience persistent redness, pain, excessive watering, or a sudden change in vision, remove the lenses immediately. These symptoms may indicate infection or irritation. Do not reinsert the lenses until you have consulted with your eye care provider.