Contact lenses offer a safe and effective way to correct vision, but beginners often feel anxious about placing a foreign object onto the eye. This process is not as difficult as it first appears. With proper guidance and practice, it quickly becomes a simple, hygienic part of a daily routine. This guide provides practical, step-by-step instruction to build your confidence and make the transition to contact lenses smooth and successful.
The Learning Curve: Answering the Question of Ease
Putting in contacts is a learned skill that becomes easy with practice. The first few attempts can be frustrating due to the natural, protective blink reflex, which instinctively closes the eyelid when an object approaches the cornea. Overriding this reflex is the main initial psychological hurdle for new wearers.
For most people using soft contact lenses, the period of adjustment is short, often ranging from a few days to about two weeks. During this time, your hands develop the necessary muscle memory and coordination to execute the steps without conscious thought. The initial feeling of a foreign object, which may cause mild tearing, rapidly subsides as your eyes adapt to the lens material.
The ease of the process depends on repetition and patience during the first two weeks of use. New wearers who discontinue lens use often do so within the first 60 days, highlighting the importance of pushing through that initial learning period. Once mastered, the entire process of insertion and removal typically takes less than a minute.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Contact Insertion
Insertion begins with meticulous hygiene to prevent introducing microorganisms to the eye. Thoroughly wash your hands using an oil-free and fragrance-free soap, then dry them completely with a lint-free towel. This preparation ensures the lens remains clean and prevents it from sticking to your wet fingertip during placement.
Next, verify the lens orientation using the “taco test” to ensure the lens is not inside out. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger. If the edges curve smoothly upward, forming a perfect “U” shape, it is oriented correctly. If the edges flare outward, the lens is inverted and must be gently flipped before insertion.
To insert the lens, use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull your lower eyelid down, creating a wide opening. Use a clean finger on your other hand to gently secure your upper eyelid up toward the eyebrow. Keeping both eyelids secured bypasses the natural blink reflex.
While looking straight ahead or slightly upward, bring the lens toward your eye with your index finger until it gently touches the cornea or the white part of the eye. Once the lens makes contact, slowly release your lower eyelid first, followed by your upper eyelid. Blink gently a few times or briefly close your eye to allow the lens to center itself naturally.
The Essential Skill: Techniques for Removal
Removing the lens is a distinct skill essential for maintaining good eye health. As with insertion, the process must begin with freshly washed and dried hands to minimize the risk of infection. If your eyes are dry, apply a drop of lubricating solution a few minutes before removal to rewet the lens, making it less likely to adhere tightly to the cornea.
The most common method is the pinch technique. This requires you to look up while pulling your lower eyelid down with your middle finger. Using the pads of your index finger and thumb, gently touch the lens and lightly pinch it together so it folds slightly and lifts away. Use the soft pad of your finger, not your fingernail, to avoid scratching the eye surface.
A variation is the slide-down method, often preferred if pinching feels too difficult. In this technique, look up and use your index finger to gently slide the contact lens from the center of the eye down to the white part (sclera). Once the lens is positioned on the sclera, you can then use your thumb and index finger to gently pinch it off.
Common Hurdles and Troubleshooting Tips
New wearers frequently encounter minor issues that are easily resolved. One common issue is a lens that feels immediately uncomfortable, often indicating it is inside out. An inverted lens will feel loose or irritating but will not cause damage; simply remove it, check its orientation using the “taco test,” and reinsert it after rinsing with fresh solution.
If the lens drops during handling, ensure the drain is plugged to prevent loss. A dropped lens must be thoroughly cleaned with fresh contact lens solution before reinsertion to remove any debris or bacteria. Initial minor discomfort or tearing is a normal physiological response that resolves within 15 minutes as the eye adapts.
Blurry vision immediately after insertion can be caused by oils or tears on the lens surface. Removing the lens, rubbing it gently in the palm of your hand with solution, and reinserting it often clears the vision. If a lens feels stuck or refuses to move, it is likely too dry; applying a rewetting drop will moisturize it, allowing you to slide it off-center for easier removal.