Inserting Contact Lenses Properly

Inserting contact lenses properly is essential to ensure the lenses are working correctly. By inserting the lenses correctly you will reduce the risk of damage to the lenses, your eye, and the risk for infections. Inserting contact lenses properly takes practice and a steady hand. Very rarely does anyone insert a contact on their first try, but over time, you will learn to easily insert contacts safely and properly.

To insert contact lenses you will need:

• A table
• A soft towel
• Magnification mirror
• Water
• Antibacterial soap
• Disinfecting Solution
• Contact Lenses

1. Thoroughly wash your hands. It is important to wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap to reduce the risk for a bacterial infection developing in the eyes and contamination of the contact lenses. After washing your hands, make sure you dry your hands well.
2. To begin inserting the contact lenses, you will need to find a table to sit down at. Place the towel on the table in case you should happen to drop one of the contact lenses. The lenses will be easier to find on a towel and is likely to suffer less damage from the fall. Set up the magnification mirror in a comfortable position.
3. In order to insert the contact lenses, they will first need to be cleaned using the disinfectant solution. If they have been kept in a contact lenses case, make sure you rinse the case well after removing the contact lenses.
4. Inserting contact lenses properly involves placing the contact lens on the tip of one finger. The lens should form a perfect U to be inserted in the correct direction. Using the other index finger and thumb, gently hold the eyelids open, or use your ring finger to pull down the lower lid. Gently place the contact lens on the eye and quickly move your eye from left to right to allow the contact to attach to the eye in the correct position. Blink your eye a couple of times to remove any air bubbles that make have become trapped under the lens and to form a perfect seal of the lens to the eye.

These steps will need to be repeated for the second eye as well. Prior to inserting contact lenses, speak with your optometrist for any recommendations or special precautions that must be taken regarding the type of contact lenses you are using.