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How To Put In Contacts Safely
It’s no wonder that over 45 million Americans¹ wear contacts: these lenses come with big benefits despite their small size. Unlike glasses, contact lenses don't crack or slip down your nose – while providing a wider field of view for better vision.
At first, putting your contacts in and taking them out can be a scary task. Luckily, Nationwide Vision has this quick guide to help beginner contact lens wearers. Continue reading to learn more.
Putting In Contact Lenses
When handled properly, contact lenses can be a wonderful and convenient way to correct your vision. Follow these steps to insert contacts successfully.
A Step-by-Step Guide For Putting In Contact Lenses
Step One: Wash Your Hands
Before handling your contact lenses, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. After thoroughly cleaned, dry your hands with a clean towel or cloth.
Washing your hands before touching your contact lenses lowers your risk of developing a potentially harmful infection.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology², you should avoid using soaps containing oils or fragrances. These chemicals can cling to the surface of the lenses, causing lens smudges or irritated eyes.
Step Two: Picking Up the Contact
After washing your hands, open your contact lens case in a clean environment. Slide one of the lenses onto your dominant index finger, making sure to use your fingertips to lift the contacts out of the case.
Step Three: Rinse Your Contact Lens
Before you place the lens in your eye, rinse it with a contact lens solution.
Never use tap water to wash or moisten your lenses. Tap water can be teeming with microbes such as acanthamoeba, a pathogen that can cause a serious eye infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention³.
Step Four: Inspect Your Lens Carefully
While holding the contact lens on the tip of your index finger, raise it to your eye level. Then proceed to carefully examine it for torn or damaged areas.
If there are any rips, tears, or scratches, discard the lens immediately. Sharp or jagged edges of a damaged lens can harm the surface of your eye.
Step Five: Check Which Side The Lens Is On
While at eye level, examine the shape of the lens. If the lens resembles a mixing bowl with a curved shape, this is the way the lens was made to wear. If the edges resemble a lid with a slightly turned out or down shape, this is the incorrect side of your contact.
This step will become easier with experience. If you happen to put your contact on the incorrect side, you will experience slight discomfort. The contact may even fall out of your eye.
Step Six: Placing the Lens
Open your lower and upper eyelids with your thumb and the fingers of your non-dominant hand. Carefully place the lens onto your eye with the tip of your finger on your dominant hand.
Release your eyelids and carefully close your eye. To help the lens settle in place and gently massage your eyelid. Then, blink a few times to move the lens to the correct spot of your eye. You'll know when your lens is centered correctly, as it will feel comfortable on your eye.
How To Know If Your Contacts Are In Correctly
If you happen to put your contact on the incorrect side, you will experience slight discomfort. The contact may even fall out of your eye. You'll know when your lens is centered correctly when it feels comfortable on your eye. Some days, you might have to opt to wear glasses. If contacts were worn too long the previous day, or your eyes are strained, it may be painful to put your contacts in. There are some contacts specially formulated for dry eyes, so talk to your eye doctor if you notice persistent dry eye.
Step One: Wash Your Hands
This is always the first step whenever you're handling your contact lenses. Thoroughly wash with soap and then dry with a clean towel.
Step Two: Remove The First Lens
Start by pulling down your lower eyelid. Then use the tip of your index finger and thumb to lightly squeeze the lens. This will allow you to easily extract it from your eye.
This step is scary at first but will soon become natural.
Step Three: Disinfect
This step is only necessary if you are using a reusable lens. Place the lens in the palm of your hand and rinse with multipurpose solution, lightly rubbing for approximately 20 seconds on each side.
This short rinse helps to eliminate microorganisms and reduces the risk of infection, according to the American Optometric Association⁴.
Remember: don’t rinse with tap water. Although it’s safe to drink, it can harbor potentially harmful microbes unsafe for your eyes.
Step Four: Safely Store the Lens
Place the contact lens in a clean storage case and fill it with fresh contact solution. Don't be tempted to "top off" your old solution, as this increases your risk of developing an infection.
Soak your lenses in this new solution for up to eight hours.
For exact soaking procedures and times, follow the solution’s instructions.
Step Five: Repeat
Repeat this process for your other contact.
Think You May Need Contacts?
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today at Nationwide Vision to discuss your vision problems with a skilled eye care professional. Find a location near you.