In our humble opinion, glasses are a perfect accessory. Not only do they correct your vision, but they also show off your style and define your eyes. But if you’ve been wearing glasses for years, perhaps you’re ready for a change. Whether for comfort, convenience, or curiosity, you might be wondering how to transition from glasses to contacts. It’s not as simple as popping in some contact lenses and going about your day. You’ll need a little patience and some helpful advice if you want to ensure the adjustment period is smooth and seamless.
Making the Switch to Contacts
Learning how to transition from glasses to contacts may seem quite straightforward, but if you’ve never worn contacts before, you might be surprised by all there is to know. If you don’t set yourself up for success, you might get frustrated and assume contacts aren’t right for you after all. The following tips will help you ease into wearing contact lenses:
Learn how to insert and remove contacts properly.
Always start by washing your hands thoroughly and drying them on a lint-free cloth.
To insert a contact, remove the contact lens from its case and gently place it on the tip of your index finger. Make sure that the lens is clean, scratch-free, and right side out (it should look like half a ball, not a soup bowl with a rim). Next, using your non-dominant hand, gently pull your eyelid up. Use your dominant hand (the same hand holding the contact lens) to pull your lower eyelid downward with your middle or ring finger. Finally, gently place the contact lens on your eye, let go of your eyelids, and blink.
To remove a contact, use your non-dominant hand to raise your upper eyelid. At the same time, use your dominant hand to pull down your lower eyelid. Then, using the pad of your index finger and your thumb, gently squeeze the lens to pull it down and away from your eye. Be gentle to avoid damaging the contact.
In time, this will become second nature. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your eye doctor’s office.
Store your contacts properly.
Keeping contacts in good condition isn’t terribly tricky, but many people overlook its importance. They don’t realize or recognize that poor contact lens hygiene can lead to serious issues, including corneal abrasions and eye infections. So, how do you do it?
As we mentioned above, always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contacts. After removing each contact, place it in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of solution, and gently rub the lens with your fingertip to remove allergens, debris, natural build-up, and protein deposits. Unless you’re wearing daily lenses, which are discarded after each use, you’ll need to store your contacts in a clean case filled with fresh contact lens solution. Never “top up” old solution or use water to clean or store your contacts.
Don’t wear your contacts all day at first.
If you’re wondering how to transition from glasses to contacts, consider starting slow. Wear your contacts for just a few hours at a time during the first few days. That way, your eyes can gradually get used to them. When they feel more comfortable, you can start increasing your wear time.
Eyes feel dry? Try re-wetting drops.
Many people experience eye dryness when they first switch to contacts. To avoid this, use preservative-free, over-the-counter eye drops throughout the day to keep your eyes moist. If you continue experiencing dryness and discomfort even after your eyes are otherwise used to contacts, talk to your eye doctor. They may prescribe a more hydrating contact lens or switch you to dailies.
Keep your glasses as a backup.
Even if you no longer plan to wear your glasses 24/7, keep the prescription up to date and make sure they’re always handy and in good condition. Wear your glasses in the morning and at night to give your eyes a break from contacts. And if you ever experience discomfort with your contacts, simply switch to glasses and give your eye doctor a call.
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Whether you love your glasses or you’re curious about contacts, it’s crucial that you keep your prescription up to date with regular eye exams. When’s the last time you had your eyes checked?
If you live near southwest Missouri, contact 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 email 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!