Step-by-Step Guide to Soft Contact Lens Insertion and Removal: For new contact lens wearers, handling lenses can seem tricky at first. But with practice, it becomes second nature. Here’s a simple guide from Dr. Lauretta Justin at Millennium Eye Center to help you confidently insert and remove your soft contact lenses.
Before You Begin: Essential Preparations
- Wash your hands: Always wash and dry your hands before touching your lenses. Use a mild, non-scented soap, and dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
- Inspect your lenses: Always check your lenses for any tears, dirt, or foreign particles before inserting them.
How to Insert Soft Contact Lenses
- Prepare Your Lens:
- Place the lens on the tip of your index finger. Ensure it is not inside-out; the lens should look like a perfect bowl. If the edges flare out, it’s inside-out. Flip it if needed.
- Use Your Non-Dominant Hand for Support:
- With your non-dominant hand, hold your upper eyelid to prevent blinking. You can use a mirror for better accuracy.
- Lower Lid and Gaze:
- Pull down your lower eyelid with the middle finger of the hand holding the lens. Look slightly upward to avoid focusing on the lens as you bring it closer to your eye.
- Place the Lens:
- Gently place the lens directly onto the center of your eye (over the cornea). You may feel a slight tickle, but it shouldn’t be painful.
- Blink and Adjust:
- Slowly release your eyelids and blink several times to help the lens settle in place. If it feels uncomfortable or blurry, remove it, rinse with solution, and try again.
- Repeat for the Other Eye:
- Follow the same process for the other eye.
How to Remove Soft Contact Lenses
- Wash and Dry Your Hands: This step is just as important for removal as it is for insertion.
- Look Up: With your non-dominant hand, hold the upper eyelid. Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull down the lower eyelid.
- Pinch the Lens:
- While looking slightly upward, gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger. Do this gently to avoid damaging the lens. The lens should easily come off the surface of your eye.
- Rinse and Store:
- If you’re not disposing of the lens, rinse it with contact lens solution (never water!) and store it in a clean case filled with fresh solution. If you’re using daily disposable lenses, discard them after use.
Watch this video for a live demonstration.
Important Caveats for Soft Contact Lens Wear
As your eye care provider, I, Dr. Lauretta, want to ensure you have a safe and comfortable experience wearing your contact lenses. Here are some key points to always keep in mind:
- Follow the prescribed wear schedule: It is critical to stick to the wear schedule provided by me or your eye care professional. Wearing lenses for longer than recommended can increase the risk of infection and discomfort.
- Never wear lenses when your eyes are red: If your eyes become red, avoid wearing your lenses, as this could indicate irritation or infection.
- Monitor for persistent redness: If your eye remains red for more than 24 hours, or if the redness worsens, it’s important to contact my office immediately or seek evaluation from an eye care professional. This could be a sign of a more serious condition, like an infection.
Tips for New Wearers
- Start slow: If you’re new to wearing contacts, limit your wear time to a few hours a day and gradually increase it.
- Stay Hydrated: Dry eyes can make wearing lenses uncomfortable, so drink plenty of water and consider using rewetting drops.
- Never sleep in your lenses: Sleeping in your contacts (unless prescribed) can increase the risk of infection.
- Stay on top of hygiene: Proper cleaning and storing techniques are key to keeping your lenses and eyes safe.
Common Issues and How to Handle Them
- Lens Won’t Stick to Your Eye: Make sure your eye and the lens are adequately moist. You can apply rewetting drops if necessary.
- Lens Feels Uncomfortable: This could be due to debris on the lens or improper placement. Remove, rinse, and try again.
- Eye Feels Dry: Use rewetting drops designed for contact lenses to relieve dryness.
By following these steps and precautions, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the use of your soft contact lenses. If you ever experience discomfort, persistent redness, or other issues, don’t hesitate to contact me, Dr. Lauretta, at Millennium Eye Center. Your eye health is our top priority!
Millennium Eye Center is a leading provider of comprehensive eye care in Orlando area. Our experienced team of optometrists can help you manage your cataract eye problem and achieve optimal eye health.
Whether the best choice is glasses, contacts, or other treatment, we understand that the optimal vision correction solution is one that’s tailored to each individual patient. To schedule an appointment with our Pink Eye Expert, Dr. Lauretta Justin, click HERE or text us at 407-292-9812.
Top image used is a License-free image from Pixabay.
Disclaimer: The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
