Are you going to be wearing contacts for the first time? Congratulations! Contact lenses are an amazingly innovative and shockingly comfortable way to correct your eyesight. Just imagine what Benjamin Franklin, who invented bifocals, would think of these virtually invisible medical devices! Placed directly on the cornea, contact lenses are able to correct refractive errors and restore the wearer’s vision. They’re exceptionally convenient, but if you’ve never worn them before, they can also be a bit intimidating. Scroll down to learn how to put in contacts. It’s easy, and intuitive, and we promise it won’t hurt at all!
How to Put in Contacts
Wash your hands.
Every time you insert your contacts, start by washing your hands. Even if your hands don’t seem dirty, they may have a small amount of oil or debris on them. You can use any soap you like so long as it’s oil-free. Afterward, dry your hands on a lint-free cloth.
Choose which eye to start with.
It’s a good idea to develop a routine when it comes to putting in your contacts, so decide which eye you would like to begin with. This is crucial because many people wear different prescriptions in their right and left eyes. If you always start with the same eye, it’s less likely that you’ll accidentally put your right contact in your left eye or vice versa. Some people find that it’s helpful to start with their dominant hand. So if you’re right-handed, put in your right contact first. If you’re left-handed, put in your left contact first.
Inspect the lens.
Remove the contact lens from its case. Gently place it on the tip of your index finger and hold it up at eye level so that you can check that it is clean. If you notice any debris, clean and disinfect the contact. If you notice any scratches, replace the contact with a fresh one. Finally, check that the lens is right side out – if it is, it’ll curve upward like a bowl. If you’re struggling to tell if your contact is right side out, use these tips from All About Vision.
Insert the lens.
Now, you’re ready to learn how to put in contacts! Using your opposite hand, gently pull your eyelid upward with your index finger. Then, with your dominant hand (i.e., the hand holding the contact lens), gently pull your lower eyelid downward with your middle or ring finger. Keep your head steady and avoid blinking as you move the contact lens toward your eye with your index finger. Finally, gently place the contact lens on your eye. When the lens is settled in place, you can let go of the upper and lower eyelids.
Blink.
Does the lens feel comfortable? If so, you’re good to go! If not, you may need to remove the lens, clean it, and try again.
Repeat.
Finally, you’ll need to repeat this process on your other eye.
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Easy, right? If you have any trouble putting in your contacts, don’t hesitate to call your eye doctor’s office for help.
Would you like to learn more about wearing contacts? If you live in southwest Missouri, stop by Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!