Tips for Contact Lens Wearers

Many people new to contact lenses, and even some experienced wearers, have practical questions about contacts. These tips should help you to deal with some everyday contact lens concerns.

Which Way Is the Right Way?

A question many newbie wearers have is: "How will I know if my contact lens is inside out?" The trick is to place the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed. Then, hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes so you're looking at the side of the cup. If the lens forms a "U" with the top edges flared out, it's inside out. If it forms just a "U," it's in the correct position.

If you're wearing lenses with a handling tint, another method is to place the lens on your fingertip and then look down at it. The edge of a tinted lens should look very blue (or green, depending on the tint); that won't be the case if the lens is inverted.

Some contact lenses also have a laser marking, such as the brand name, on the edge to help you. If you can read it properly, the lens is not inside out. Don't worry if you place a contact lens in your eye inside out. The lens will feel uncomfortable, but it can't do any damage.

Applying Your Contact Lenses

Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands before applying your contact lenses, but avoid overly scented or oily soaps that might adhere to the lens surface. Especially avoid using products containing lanolin. Some eye doctors advise that you always apply the first contact lens in the same eye, so that you avoid the possibility of mixing up lenses for the right eye and left eye. Other basic guidelines for contact lens application include:

1. Gently shake your lens case containing the storage solution, to loosen the contact lens should it be stuck. (Don't try pulling at the lens with your finger, or you might damage it.)
    
2. Slide the lens out of its case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution.
    
3. Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle finger, which should be dry or mostly dry.
    
4. With the fingers and thumb of your other hand, simultaneously pull up on your upper eyelid and down on your lower eyelid.
    
5. Position the lens on your eye while looking upward or forward, whichever you find to be easier. You also can apply the contact lens by placing it on the white of the eye closest to your ear.
    
6. Roll your eyes in a complete circle to help the lens settle, then blink.

Removing Your Contact Lenses

Always wash your hands before removing contact lenses. If you are standing in front of a sink, make sure you use a clean paper towel to cover the drain where the contact lens might accidentally fall.

To remove soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways while you pull down on your lower eyelid. With a finger, gently manoeuvre the lens onto the white of your eye. There, you can very gently pinch the lens together with your index finger and thumb and lift it off the eye. Until you master contact lens removal, you might consider keeping your fingernails clipped to avoid accidentally scratching and damaging your eye.

Rigid contact lenses can be removed by holding out the palm of your hand, bending over, and then opening your eye wide. With one finger of your other hand, pull on the skin of your eye's outside corner straight out toward your ear with your eye wide open. Then blink. The contact lens should pop right out and into your open palm.

Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses

Getting makeup in your eye is annoying. But it's even worse with contacts, because it can stick to the lenses instead of flushing right out. Follow these tips to keep your eyes looking and feeling good:

1. Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup. And always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts, so you won't transfer any oils, creams, or lotions to the lenses.
    
2. Use only non-allergenic makeup. Almay and Clinique have eye-friendly products, but there are other brands as well.
    
3. Cream eye shadow is less likely to get in your eye than powder. However, creams can also irritate your eyes more if they do make it into your eyes. Choose water-based rather than oil-based creams.
    
4. If you prefer powder, keep your eyes closed during application. Then, brush off any excess powder before opening your eye.
    
5. Never apply eyeliner between your lashes and your eye. Apply eyeliner only on the portion of your lashes that is well away from your eye.
    
6. To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then remove your contacts, being careful not to bump them into any makeup. Finally, use your eye makeup remover.

STEP 1: Always, always, always wash your hands!
STEP 2: Check to see if your lens is right-side up

CORRECT
Your contact lens should look like a bowl when viewed from its side profile.

INCORRECT
If the edges of your contact lens appear to flare, it is inside out. Reverse the lens into the correct bowl orientation.


STEP 3: How to insert your contact lenses

                     
 

• Make sure that your fingers are clean and dry. (Dry fingers facilitate handling as soft contact lenses tend to stick to wet fingers)
   
• Remove your lens from the storage case.
   
• It is a good idea to get in the habit of always working with the same lens first, the right or left, in order to avoid mix-ups.
   
• Rinse your lens with the solution recommended by your eye care practitioner to remove all traces of debris.
   
• Place the lens on the tip of your index finger.
   
• Using the middle finger of your other hand, pull and hold your upper lid so that you cannot blink.
   
• Pull down your lower eyelid, using the middle finger of your inserting hand.
   
• Look up and place the lens gently on the lower white part of your eye.
   
• Slowly release your eyelid and close your eye for a moment.
   
• Blink several times to centre the lens on your eye.
   
• Sometimes small dust particles trapped behind the lens during its placement can cause discomfort. To remove dust, slide the lens off and then back onto the front of your eye.
   
• Insert the other lens following the same procedure.

STEP 4: How to remove your contact lenses

       

• Wash and dry your hands.
   
• Make sure that your lens is centred correctly on your eye.
   
• Looking up, pull down your lower eyelid with the middle finger of your inserting hand.
   
• Bring your index finger close to your eye until you touch the lower edge of the lens.
   
• Slide the lens down to the lower white part of your eye.
   
• Gently squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger and remove it from your eye.
   
• Follow the lens care procedures recommended by your eye care practitioner.
   
• Remove the other lens and follow the same procedure.