Best way to put contacts in, and to take them out?

Question

I got contacts a couple of weeks ago. I can put them in, but it takes me 15 minutes or more. I was wondering if there were any tricks to help me to put them in. Taking them out is easier for me, but it still takes me more than five minutes. I would appreciateany tips/tricks. Thanks!

Answer 1

It only takes practice. I can put mine in or out in a matter of seconds, no mirror needed and no fuss. Iv'e been wearing lenses for years though. Try to get used to just doing it without trying to hard. The more you phaff about the less patient you become and your eyes will start running and the whole process makes you wonder if they are worth the hassle. Persevere it will become second nature.

Answer 2

1. Make sure that you have plenty of solution handy and plenty of paper towels. **DO NOT USE TISSUES** Tissues will leave lint on the contact lens and that will scratch your eyes way too much.

2. Try sitting when you first learn to get the contacts in. This seems to make people much more comfortable and you can get into a good position for the insertion.

3. Get a mirror in front of you that is at least the size of your hand, and if you can one that magnifies.

4. Start by holding your lower eyelid down with your middle finger and touch the sclera (white portion of your eye) with your index finger. If you can do this, then you can put contacts in.

5. Next you'll want to practice(take your time) holding your hand in place as you did in the previous step, while bringing your other hand over the top to hold open your upper lid with the middle finger of the opposite hand.

6. Practice moving your finger as close as you can without touching. (keep in mind that when you put the contact lens in you won't be looking at your finger).

7. Get the lens wet with the contact lens solution and make sure that you have the correct shape. It should look like a bowl and NOT have flared out edges.

8. Place the contact lens on the index finger of the hand that is holding down the lower lid and hold down the lower lid, then hold open the upper lid.

9. Slowly move the contact lens as close to your eye as possible without blinking excessively. Before you get to close you will need to look up. Place the contact lens on the eye and slowly push in(but not hard). You'll feel bubbles of air escape from underneath the contact lens. Keep your upper hand in place and let go of the lower lid.

10. Look towards the location of where the contact lens is until it feels like it fits. Then release your upper hand.

11. Blink and if should stay in place.

if this doesn't work, repeat steps 7-11

I know it's a lot--but if you like wearing contacts, then the work is worth it. Once you've mastered the steps above you'll slowly start learning different ways that are much faster.

Also remember these helpful steps--

**Good contact lens hygiene will keep you from an eye infection which is VERY painful.

**Always take your contact lens out at night and put them in solution in the contact lens case that comes with most solutions.

**Wearing your contacts for too long can cause the protein of the eye to build up and harden over the edges of the eye. The only way to get the contact lens off at that point is by surgery. You'll never scream more in your life then at that point.

**Always wash your hands before and after putting the contacts in. Your eye is very receptive to disease and bacterial infections, so keep it clean.

**You can get two huge bottles of solution for less than $10. So when you take the contacts out of the case, empty it and allow it to air dry. Replace the solution after every use of the case. The appointment for the Dr to get antibiotics for an eye infection can run you up over $100. Which sounds cheaper to you?

To Remove:

Hold down your lower lid with the middle finger and gently pull down on the contact lens with the index finger.  Once it comes away from the colored portion of your eye(iris) you'll want to pull it out using your index finger and thumb.  If for some reason you can't get the contact lens out don't panic.  Get to the eye Dr as soon as you can or go to a Wal*Mart optical center or Lenscrafters.  Any of these establishments will be more than ready to help you in these situations.

Answer 3

I don't necessarily encourage this practice but what I do to remove my lenses is to pinch them off with my thumb and index finger. It's quick and I don't waste a lot of time trying to postion my eyes so I can try to grab the lens.

Answer 4

when you put them in, it helps if you look straight ahead so you know the contact is positioned in the center of you eye. right before it touches, look to the side or look up, because the white part of your eye is much less sensitive than the colored part. if you try to get it on the colored part, you will end up blinking a whole lot more. also, you want your finger as dry as possible, but put a drop or two of solution on the inside of the lens-this helps it stick to your eye better and not your finger.

the contact stays on the colored part of your eye unless it is physically moved off. i see a lot that when people try to take them off, they look up and they are pinching at the white part of their eye. you will NEVER get contact off this way, because when you look up, the contact goes with the colored part of your eye. therefore, you must look forward to get the contact off. OR you can move the lens off of the colored part of your eye with your finger, and pinch it off of the white part, which like i said, is much less sensitive.

you will see that the more you put them in and take them out, it will get much easier everytime you do it.

good luck!!