Contact lenses are medical devices used to correct vision, functioning as a lightweight alternative to traditional eyeglasses. They rest directly on the eye’s surface, offering correction for conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Because these lenses interact directly with the delicate ocular environment, safe and correct handling is essential for maintaining eye health. This guide provides practical steps for integrating contact lens wear into a daily routine.
Essential Hygiene Before Handling Lenses
The process of wearing contact lenses begins with hand hygiene. Hands carry bacteria that can be easily transferred to the lens and subsequently to the eye, making poor hygiene a leading cause of eye infections. Always wash your hands thoroughly with mild, non-perfumed soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
Drying your hands completely with a clean, lint-free towel is important to prevent debris or water-borne microbes from contaminating the lens. Inspect the lens before insertion to ensure it is correctly oriented, resembling a shallow bowl with the edges turning upward. If the edge flares outward, the lens is inside out and must be gently flipped to prevent discomfort or movement once placed on the eye.
Step-by-Step Insertion Technique
To begin the insertion process, place the contact lens on the tip of your dominant hand’s index finger. The lens should rest securely on the fingertip, which serves as the applicator, and the finger should be dry to prevent the lens from sticking to it instead of the eye. Positioning yourself in front of a well-lit mirror helps you see the process clearly and prevent the lens from falling onto surfaces.
Use your non-dominant hand to stabilize your eyelids, pulling the upper lid upward and the lower lid downward to create a larger opening. Anchor your fingers close to the lash lines for a secure grip, maintaining this hold until the lens is centered. While looking straight ahead or slightly upward, gently bring the finger holding the lens toward your eye until the lens makes contact with the cornea or the white part of your eye.
The lens should adhere readily to the eye’s natural moisture, smoothly transferring from your fingertip. Once the lens is on the eye, slowly release your eyelids, being careful not to trap the lens or cause it to fold. Gentle blinks will help the lens center itself naturally over the iris. If you experience immediate discomfort or blurred vision, the lens should be removed, rinsed, and reinserted, or discarded entirely.
Proper Techniques for Lens Removal
Removing the lens requires clean hands and a deliberate technique to avoid causing trauma to the eye’s surface. Always wash and dry your hands with soap and a lint-free towel before removal. If a lens feels dry or stuck, applying a few drops of sterile rewetting solution can rehydrate it, making removal significantly easier and safer.
The most common approach for soft lenses is the pinch method. Hold your eyelids open with one hand. With the index finger and thumb of your dominant hand, gently touch the lens on opposite sides and pinch it lightly until it lifts away from the eye’s surface. Care must be taken to pinch only the lens material to avoid scratching the cornea with a fingernail.
An alternative is the slide method, often preferred by those with long fingernails or sensitive eyes. Look up and use the tip of your index finger to gently touch the lens’s bottom edge and slide it downward onto the white part of the eye (the sclera). Once positioned on the sclera, the lens can be gently pinched and removed.
Daily Maintenance and Storage
Reusable lenses must be cleaned and disinfected before storage to prevent the buildup of deposits and microorganisms. The recommended cleaning protocol is the “rub and rinse” method, even if the solution packaging claims to be “no-rub.” Place the lens in your palm, apply a few drops of fresh multipurpose solution, and gently rub the lens with your fingertip for about 20 seconds.
This mechanical rubbing action removes debris and protein deposits far more effectively than rinsing alone. Rinse the lens thoroughly with fresh solution to wash away loosened particles and residue. Place the cleaned lens into a clean case filled completely with fresh disinfecting solution for storage.
Never reuse or “top off” old solution with new solution, as this significantly reduces disinfection effectiveness and harbors bacteria. After inserting your lenses, empty the old solution from the case, rinse the case with fresh solution, and leave it open and upside down to air dry. Replace the lens case itself at least every three months to minimize the risk of contamination.
Non-Negotiable Safety Rules
Adhering to your prescribed lens replacement schedule is essential for eye health. Wearing lenses longer than recommended allows protein and debris to accumulate, increasing the risk of infection. Disposable lenses must be discarded after one day of wear, while bi-weekly or monthly lenses require strict adherence to their replacement date.
Never sleep in your contact lenses unless they are specifically prescribed for extended wear, as sleeping in contacts deprives the eye of oxygen and significantly increases the chance of developing a corneal infection. Never use tap water, distilled water, or saliva to rinse or store your lenses, as these contain microorganisms, like Acanthamoeba, that can cause severe, vision-threatening infections. Lenses must also be removed before showering, swimming, or using a hot tub.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and consult an eye care professional:
- Pain
- Persistent redness
- Excessive watering
- Discharge
- Sudden blurred vision
Ignoring discomfort can result in long-term damage to the cornea.