Contact lens application and removal - step by step guide
You have decided to start with contact lenses and now you need to learn how to handle them. It might seem scary at first, but with practice and good habits, it can become easy and natural. So to help you out, here is our short, step-by-step guide to inserting contact lenses. It’s great for beginners, and might even be a good reminder for contact lens pros, too!
How to put contact lenses in
You should know that when putting the lens on you have to touch the eyeball itself, the lens doesn't stick on its own. Let the lens lightly adhere to your eye and your eyelids will do the rest! Now let's see how to do it.
Step 1
Start by preparing all your essentials in a well-lit room. You’ll need your contact lenses, solution, mirror, and a place to wash and dry your hands with a fresh towel. Remember to insert your lenses before applying makeup.
Step 2
Always wash your hands thoroughly to prevent dirt and bacteria from getting on the lenses. Use mild or antibacterial soap, avoid moisturizing soaps, lotions and oil-based products. After washing, dry your hands with a towel. Avoid using paper towels, which can leave lint on your hands. Keep in mind that it is better to keep your fingernails short when handling the lenses so as not to scratch the contact lens or the cornea of the eye.
Step 3
The next step is removing the contact lenses from your contact lenses case or from a fresh blister package. If you have a different prescription for each eye, it’s helpful to establish a habit and always insert the left lens first, for example, so you don’t mix them up. Place the first lens in your palm, wet it with solution, and rub it gently with your finger. Some brands offer „no-rub“ solutions, but most contactologists agree that it’s always a good idea to give your lenses a gentle rub for extra cleaning power. If you want to make handling your lenses easier, we offer a variety of handy tools to make it easier. Applicators and lens tongs can make handling lenses a breeze.
Step 4
Place the contact on your index finger. If the lens looks like a bowl, you’re doing fine. But, if the edges are pointing outward, then your lens is inside out. It may be hard to tell, but most contacts have a little inside-out mark on them (letters or numbers) so you can easily see whether the lens is inside out or not.
Step 5
With the lens balanced on your index finger, use your middle finger to pull your lower eyelid down while using your other hand to pull your upper eyelid upward. The more you open the eyelid, the better the contact lens will fit on the cornea. You can't blink if you hold your lashes correctly. Some people find it helpful to look up to avoid unwanted blinking. It may be a struggle at first, but you'll get used to it with practice!
Step 6
Place the lens on the eye, as soon as you touch the eye, slowly remove the finger and very carefully (slowly) release first the lower lid and then the upper lid. Keep the eye closed and do not blink, lightly touch the closed upper lid with your finger and "look" to the sides. In this way, you will remove the air bubbles that have formed under the contact lens. This allows the lens to seat itself in the correct place on the cornea. If the lens irritates the eye or you feel any discomfort, remove it and gently clean it with a solution before putting it back on the eye.
How to remove contact lenses
Before you start, wash your hands as you did before you put them in. If you wear make up, be sure to remove your lenses before washing your face. You should also prepare everything you will need in a clean, well-lit room. Make sure you have your contact lens case, solution, mirror, and any other tools you may need. If you're traveling, you can find all these items in one handy contact lens kit.
Step 1
Start by lubricating your eyes with eye drops or eye spray. This can help moisten the lenses and make them easier to remove. One or two drops in each eye should be sufficient, and it can make the process easier and more comfortable, especially if you have chronically dry eyes , or find they’re more dry at the end of the day.
Step 2
Hold the upper and lower eyelids as you would for contact lens application. While looking straight ahead, grasp the contact lens by the sides (from the nose and outer corner) with your index finger and thumb and gently squeeze (as if pinching). Don’t rush yourself, and do this step calmly and slowly.
Step 3
Gently squeeze the lens with your index finger and thumb, and place the contact in the case with a fresh contact lens solution. The case must be filled with a new solution, approximately halfway up the cup. Do not dilute the solution with water. If the period for which the lenses can be worn has already passed, throw them away. Don't forget to keep the lens case clean and replace it with a new one every time you open a new bottle of solution, or at least once a month.
Step 4
Now repeat the process using the same hand with the other eye, step by step as you did it with your first eye. Congratulations - you have successfully removed and stored your contact lenses! With practice and proper maintenance, inserting and removing your contact lenses will become a quick and easy part of your daily routine.
Follow these steps carefully to help maintain optimum eye health, comfort, and quality of vision. Your eyes and your lenses will thank you.
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