Contact lenses are a popular alternative to eyeglasses, offering a wider field of vision and a more natural look. However, putting in contacts can be a daunting task for first-timers. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of inserting contacts, from washing your hands to removing the lenses at the end of the day.
Before we delve into the steps, it's important to note that proper hygiene is crucial when handling contact lenses. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching the lenses or your eyes. Additionally, make sure your contact lens case is clean and filled with fresh contact lens solution.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's get started with the step-by-step guide for inserting contact lenses:
How to Put In Contacts
Follow these 8 simple steps to insert your contact lenses safely and easily:
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Open contact lens case
- Place lens on index finger
- Pull down lower eyelid
- Look up and place lens
- Release lower eyelid
- Blink to adjust lens
- Repeat for other eye
Remember to always follow proper hygiene practices when handling contact lenses to ensure the health of your eyes.
Wash hands thoroughly
Washing your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses is of utmost importance to prevent the transfer of dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your lenses and eyes. Here's why it's essential and how to do it properly:
Why is it important?
- Protect your eyes from infection: Dirty hands can harbor bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and keratitis.
- Prevent lens contamination: Dirt and oil from your hands can build up on your contact lenses, making them less comfortable to wear and potentially causing irritation.
How to wash your hands properly:
- Wet your hands with warm water: Warm water is more effective at removing dirt and oil than cold water.
- Apply soap: Use a mild, fragrance-free soap that won't irritate your skin or eyes.
- Lather your hands: Rub your hands together vigorously to create a lather. Make sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
- Wash for at least 20 seconds: Sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice to ensure you're washing for the recommended amount of time.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly: Rinse your hands with clean, warm water to remove all soap residue.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel: Use a clean, lint-free towel to dry your hands completely. Avoid using hand dryers, as they can spread bacteria.
Additional tips:
- Keep your nails short and clean to prevent dirt and bacteria from accumulating under them.
- Avoid touching your eyes or contact lenses with unwashed hands.
- If you're in a situation where you can't wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Remember, washing your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses is a simple but essential step in maintaining good eye health.
Open contact lens case
Once you've washed your hands thoroughly, it's time to open your contact lens case. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Inspect the case: Before opening the case, inspect it for any cracks or damage. If the case is damaged, replace it immediately.
- Clean the case regularly: Contact lens cases should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Follow the cleaning instructions provided by your eye care professional.
- Open the case carefully: When opening the case, be careful not to drop or spill the contact lenses. Hold the case over a sink or other safe surface in case of accidents.
- Avoid touching the inside of the case: To prevent contamination, avoid touching the inside of the case with your fingers or anything else that may be dirty.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your contact lenses and case clean and free of harmful bacteria.
Place lens on index finger
Once you've opened the contact lens case and selected the correct lens, it's time to place it on your index finger. Here are a few steps to follow:
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly: Before handling the contact lens, make sure your hands are clean and dry. This will help prevent the transfer of dirt and bacteria to the lens.
- Rinse the lens with contact lens solution: Before placing the lens on your finger, rinse it with fresh contact lens solution to remove any debris or residue.
- Place the lens on the tip of your index finger: Use your dominant hand to hold the contact lens. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger, making sure that it's centered and doesn't fold or crease.
- Check the lens for damage: Before inserting the lens into your eye, inspect it carefully to make sure there are no tears, cracks, or other damage. If the lens is damaged, discard it and use a new one.
By following these steps, you can safely and easily place the contact lens on your index finger, ready for insertion into your eye.
Pull down lower eyelid
Once you have the contact lens on your index finger, it's time to pull down your lower eyelid. Here's how to do it:
- Use your middle finger: Place your middle finger on the lower eyelid, about halfway down.
- Pull down gently: Gently pull down your lower eyelid until it's away from your eye. Be careful not to pull too hard, as this can cause irritation.
- Keep your eye open: While holding down your lower eyelid, keep your eye open as wide as possible. This will make it easier to insert the contact lens.
- Look up: Tilt your head back slightly and look up towards the ceiling. This will help to expose more of your eyeball.
By following these steps, you can easily pull down your lower eyelid, creating a clear space for inserting the contact lens.
Look up and place lens
With your lower eyelid pulled down and your eye open wide, it's time to look up and place the contact lens on your eye:
- Look up: Keep looking up towards the ceiling, exposing as much of your eyeball as possible.
- Place the lens on your eye: Gently place the contact lens on the center of your eyeball. Use your index finger to guide the lens into place.
- Release your eyelid: Slowly release your lower eyelid, allowing the lens to settle onto your eye.
- Blink gently: Blink a few times to help center the lens and to distribute the tears evenly over the surface of the lens.
Tips for placing the lens:
- If you're having trouble placing the lens, try using your non-dominant hand to hold your eyelid open.
- If the lens is not centered on your eye, you can gently move it into place using your index finger.
- If you feel any discomfort or pain, remove the lens and start over.
Once the lens is in place, you should feel a slight stinging or burning sensation for a few seconds. This is normal and should go away quickly. If the discomfort persists, remove the lens and consult your eye care professional.
Release lower eyelid
Once you've placed the contact lens on your eye, it's time to release your lower eyelid:
- Slowly release your eyelid: Gently release your lower eyelid, allowing the lens to settle onto your eye.
- Keep your eye open: Keep your eye open as you release your eyelid. This will help to center the lens and to prevent it from falling out.
- Blink gently: Blink a few times to help center the lens and to distribute the tears evenly over the surface of the lens.
- Check the position of the lens: Use a mirror to check the position of the lens. The lens should be centered on your eye and should not be covering your pupil.
If the lens is not centered or is covering your pupil, you can gently move it into place using your index finger. If you feel any discomfort or pain, remove the lens and start over.
Blink to adjust lens
Once you've released your lower eyelid and the contact lens is in place, it's important to blink a few times to adjust the lens:
- Blink gently: Blink a few times to help center the lens and to distribute the tears evenly over the surface of the lens.
- Look in different directions: Look up, down, left, and right to help the lens settle into place.
- Check the position of the lens: Use a mirror to check the position of the lens. The lens should be centered on your eye and should not be covering your pupil.
- Adjust the lens if necessary: If the lens is not centered or is covering your pupil, you can gently move it into place using your index finger.
It's normal to feel a slight stinging or burning sensation for a few seconds after inserting a contact lens. This should go away quickly. If the discomfort persists, remove the lens and consult your eye care professional.
Repeat for other eye
Once you've successfully inserted the contact lens into one eye, it's time to repeat the process for the other eye:
- Wash your hands again: Before touching the other eye, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent the transfer of dirt and bacteria.
- Open the other contact lens case: Open the case containing the contact lens for your other eye.
- Follow the same steps: Follow the same steps outlined above to insert the contact lens into your other eye. Be sure to pull down the lower eyelid, look up, and gently place the lens onto your eye.
- Adjust the lens if necessary: Once the lens is in place, blink a few times and check the position of the lens. If the lens is not centered or is covering your pupil, you can gently move it into place using your index finger.
Tips for inserting contact lenses:
- If you're having trouble inserting the lens, try using your non-dominant hand to hold your eyelid open.
- If the lens is not centered on your eye, you can gently move it into place using your index finger.
- If you feel any discomfort or pain, remove the lens and start over.
- It's important to be patient and to practice inserting contact lenses until you become comfortable with the process.
Once you've successfully inserted contact lenses into both eyes, you're ready to enjoy clear vision and the freedom of being glasses-free.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about inserting contact lenses:
Question 1: How often should I wash my hands before inserting contact lenses?
Answer: You should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling contact lenses every time. This is important to prevent the transfer of dirt, oil, and bacteria from your hands to your lenses and eyes.
Question 2: How do I know if my contact lens is inside out?
Answer: If your contact lens is inside out, it will feel uncomfortable and may cause irritation. You can check if your lens is inside out by placing it on your fingertip and looking at it from the side. If the edges of the lens are turned up, it is inside out.
Question 3: What should I do if I can't get the contact lens centered on my eye?
Answer: If you can't get the contact lens centered on your eye, you can try using your index finger to gently move it into place. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eye or the contact lens.
Question 4: How long does it take to get used to wearing contact lenses?
Answer: It can take a few days or weeks to get used to wearing contact lenses. During this time, you may experience some discomfort or dryness. If the discomfort persists, you should consult your eye care professional.
Question 5: Can I wear contact lenses overnight?
Answer: Most contact lenses are not approved for overnight wear. Wearing contact lenses overnight can increase your risk of infection and other eye problems.
Question 6: What should I do if I lose a contact lens?
Answer: If you lose a contact lens, you should remove the other lens and consult your eye care professional as soon as possible. Wearing a contact lens for longer than the recommended period of time can increase your risk of infection and other eye problems.
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If you have any other questions about inserting or wearing contact lenses, be sure to consult your eye care professional.
Now that you know how to insert contact lenses, here are a few tips to help you keep your lenses and eyes healthy:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you keep your contact lenses and eyes healthy:
Tip 1: Clean and disinfect your contact lenses regularly:
Always clean and disinfect your contact lenses according to the instructions provided by your eye care professional. This will help to remove dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants from your lenses.
Tip 2: Replace your contact lenses as recommended:
Replace your contact lenses according to the schedule recommended by your eye care professional. Wearing contact lenses for longer than the recommended period of time can increase your risk of infection and other eye problems.
Tip 3: Avoid wearing contact lenses overnight:
Most contact lenses are not approved for overnight wear. Wearing contact lenses overnight can increase your risk of infection and other eye problems. If you must wear contact lenses overnight, talk to your eye care professional about special extended-wear contact lenses.
Tip 4: Take breaks from wearing contact lenses:
It's important to take breaks from wearing contact lenses to give your eyes a chance to rest. Try to wear your glasses or go without corrective lenses for at least a few hours each day.
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By following these tips, you can help to keep your contact lenses and eyes healthy and comfortable.
Now that you know how to insert, wear, and care for contact lenses, you can enjoy the freedom and convenience of clear vision without glasses.
Conclusion
Inserting contact lenses can seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, it can become a quick and easy part of your daily routine. Here's a summary of the main points to remember:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.
- Open the contact lens case carefully and avoid touching the inside of the case.
- Place the contact lens on your index finger and inspect it for damage.
- Pull down your lower eyelid and look up to expose your eyeball.
- Gently place the contact lens on your eye and release your eyelid.
- Blink a few times to center the lens and distribute the tears evenly.
- Repeat the process for the other eye.
With proper care and maintenance, contact lenses can provide you with clear vision and the freedom to enjoy your active lifestyle without the hassle of glasses. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to consult your eye care professional.
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Now that you know how to put in contacts, you can enjoy the convenience and freedom of clear vision without glasses. Just remember to follow the instructions carefully and to take good care of your contact lenses and your eyes.