Putting in contact lenses can seem daunting at first, but with practice, it becomes a quick and easy routine. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly
- Importance: Clean hands are crucial to prevent bacteria from entering your eye and causing infection.
- How: Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel.
2. Prepare the Lens
- Take out one lens: Remove the contact lens from its case. Be sure to use the correct lens for each eye (if your prescription differs).
- Rinse the lens: Gently rinse the lens with contact lens solution to remove any debris.
- Inspect the lens: Place the lens on the tip of your index finger and examine it. Make sure it's not inside out. A properly shaped lens will look like a bowl with straight edges. If it looks like a bowl with a lip, it's inside out.
- Check for damage: Look for any tears or damage. If you see any, discard the lens and use a fresh one.
3. Insert the Lens
- Hold your eyelids: Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull down your lower eyelid. Use the fingers of your non-dominant hand to pull up your upper eyelid and keep your eyelashes out of the way. A common technique is to anchor your non-dominant hand at the base of your upper eyelashes, close to the lash line.
- Look straight ahead: Focus on a fixed point in front of you.
- Bring the lens to your eye: Slowly and steadily bring the lens toward your eye.
- Place the lens on your eye: Gently place the lens on the colored part of your eye (iris). While many suggest placing it on the "white of the eye", placing it on the iris is more effective for immediate comfort.
- Release your eyelids slowly: Gently release your eyelids and blink a few times. The lens should settle into place.
4. Check the Lens
- Comfort check: If the lens feels uncomfortable, it may be folded or have an air bubble underneath it. Remove the lens, rinse it with solution, and reinsert it.
- Vision check: If your vision is blurry, the lens may be inside out, damaged, or not properly centered. Remove and reinsert the lens. If your vision is still blurry, consult your eye doctor.
5. Repeat for the Other Eye
- Follow the same steps to insert the lens into your other eye.
Tips for Success
- Start slowly: Don't rush the process. It may take several attempts to get the lens in correctly, especially when you are new to it.
- Stay calm: Tension can make it harder to insert the lenses. Relax and take deep breaths.
- Use a mirror: A mirror can be helpful in the beginning, but with practice, you should be able to insert your lenses without one.
- Practice makes perfect: The more you practice, the easier it will become.
