Maya Ellison
Putting on contact lenses can be a daunting task, especially for first-timers. However, it is a simple process that becomes easier with practice. Before inserting contact lenses, it is important to ensure that your hands are clean to prevent transmitting dirt, germs, or makeup to the lenses, which could irritate your eyes. When inserting the lenses, it is crucial to check that they are the right way around. Various methods can be used to determine if a contact lens is the correct way up, such as observing its shape or looking for markings on the lens. Additionally, creating a routine, such as always starting with the same eye, can help establish muscle memory and make the process smoother.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Contacts in the packaging | Manufacturers place the contacts in the packaging the right way. |
| Contacts orientation | Keeping the same contact orientation when opening the package ensures the correct placement. |
| Contacts with markings | Some contacts have laser markings, such as numbers or letters, which can be used to determine the correct orientation. |
| Contacts without markings | For contacts without markings, the "taco test" can be used by gently squeezing the lens to form a taco shape. If the edges point upward like a taco shell, the contact is the right way around. |
| Contacts with tint | Some manufacturers add a tint on the edges of the contacts, usually blue or green. If the tint looks bright, the lens is positioned correctly. |
| Contacts and nails | Long nails can get in the way of seamless contact lens application and are more likely to scratch or tear lenses. |
| Contacts and makeup | Oil-based makeup products can transfer to the contacts, causing irritation. It is recommended to use oil-free products and mascara that doesn't shed fibers. |
| Contacts and eye drops | Only use eye drops approved for use with contacts. Drops that aren't approved can cause the lenses to become oily or cloudy. |
| Contacts and hands | Hands should be clean when handling contacts to avoid transferring dirt, debris, and oil to the lenses. |
| Contacts and eyelids | When inserting contacts, use one finger to hold the upper eyelid and expose more of the eye. Pulling down the lower eyelid can provide even more space. |
| Contacts and angle | Looking up at a 45-degree angle and tapping the contact to the white of the eye can help with placement. |
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What You'll Learn
Contacts should be placed on the index finger
Before placing the contact lens on your index finger, check that it is right-side out. A correctly oriented contact lens will have a smooth, round curvature that resembles a bowl, with the edges curving upward like a cup. If the lens is inside out, it will have a shape that resembles a saucepan or a rimmed bowl, with flared edges. Some manufacturers include a tint on the edges of their contacts, usually blue or green, to help users determine if the contacts are positioned correctly. If the tint appears bright when looking down at the contact's edges from above, the lens is good to go.
Once you have confirmed the correct orientation of the contact lens, place it on the tip of your dry index finger. Pull down your lower eyelid gently with your other hand and tuck the contact onto your eye. You can look away and put the contact on the white part of your eye, then look around until the contact settles in the right place. Alternatively, look up at a 45-degree angle towards the ceiling and tap your contact-covered finger to the white of your eye. The contact will stick, and you can pull your fingers away and look down as the lens settles into place.
It is important to note that contact lenses should not be mixed between the left and right eyes, as they are specifically designed to fit each eye. Establishing a routine, such as always starting with the right eye if you are right-handed or the left eye if you are left-handed, can help you keep track of which lens goes in which eye. With practice, you will become more experienced with your contact lenses and may not even need a mirror to insert them.
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Check the curve of the lens
When placing a contact lens on your index finger, check to see if it curves upward like a bowl or a cup. If it does, it's the right way round. If it curves the other way, it looks like a rimmed bowl or a soup spoon, and you'll need to turn it over.
The curve of a contact lens is called the base curve, often abbreviated as BC. This is the measurement of the back curvature of the contact lens, or the "fitting curve". The base curve is measured in millimetres and is specific to each individual's eye shape. The higher the base curve measurement, the flatter the cornea, and the lower the base curve, the steeper the cornea.
The base curve is an important part of your contact lens prescription. It is determined by using an instrument called a keratometer to measure the shape or steepness of your cornea. The normal range for soft disposable contact lenses is from 8.3mm to 9.0mm, with 8.6mm being the average base curve.
When placing a contact lens in your eye, you want to ensure it is the right way round. Over time, you will become more experienced with your contact lenses and will be able to tell how they feel.
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Hold the contact lens close to your eye
Before you hold the contact lens close to your eye, it's important to ensure that the lens is the right way around. One way to do this is to place the lens on your fingertip and observe its shape from the side. If the lens is curved upward, like a bowl, it is in the correct position. If it resembles a rimmed bowl, it is inside out. Another method is to gently squeeze the lens as if you were going to fold it in half, forming a taco shape. If the edges point upward like a taco shell, the lens is the right way around. If they flare outward, resembling a soup spoon, it is inside out. Some contact lenses have markings or a tinted edge to help you determine the correct orientation.
Once you have confirmed that the contact lens is the right way around, it's time to hold it close to your eye. Use your dominant hand, or whichever hand you prefer, to position the lens on the end of your index or middle finger. With your other hand, carefully pull up on your upper eyelid to expose more of your eye. If desired, you can also pull down on your lower eyelid to create even more space.
Now, hold the contact lens close to your eye. You can choose to look away as you do this, or you can look straight at the lens. Either way is fine. Gently tap the contact lens to the white of your eye, and it will stick. Then, slowly pull your fingers away and look down to allow the lens to settle into place.
It may take some practice to become comfortable with inserting contact lenses, but soon you'll be able to do it with ease. Remember to always start with clean hands and ensure that your contact lenses are properly positioned to avoid any discomfort.
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Observe the lens shape
To determine whether your contact lenses are the correct way round, one of the simplest methods is to observe the lens shape. Place the contact lens on your fingertip, holding it close to your eye, and look at the shape of the lens from the side. If the lens is facing the correct way, it will have the shape of a cup with smooth, curved edges that point straight up, resembling a bowl or a taco shell. On the other hand, if the lens is inside out, it will have the shape of a rimmed bowl with edges that flare outward, resembling a soup spoon or an upside-down UFO.
It can be challenging to determine whether contact lenses are inside out, especially for new wearers. Over time, you will become more familiar with how the lenses should look and feel when they are positioned correctly. You will develop a sense of what is right or wrong when the lens is in your eye.
Some manufacturers have introduced features to assist with identifying the correct orientation of the lens. These include tinting the edges, where the correct orientation will have a brighter tint, and printing symbols or numbers on the lenses, which should appear the right way round when the lens is facing the correct way.
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Gently pinch the lens
Gently pinching the lens is one of the easiest ways to remove soft contact lenses. However, you must be careful not to pinch too hard, as this could tear the lens. Before you begin, make sure to wash your hands with mild, fragrance-free soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is to prevent transmitting dirt, debris, oil, dust, germs, or makeup to your contact lens, which could irritate your eyes.
To gently pinch the lens, use the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand to pinch the lens and lift it away from your eye. Make sure you are only touching the lens itself and not your eye. Do not use your nails, as these can damage the lens or accidentally scratch your eye.
Some people like to slide the lens down to the lower part of their eye with their index finger before pinching. To do this, use the index finger of your dominant hand to slide the contact lens down to the lower white portion of your eye. Keep sliding it downward with the pad of your finger until the lens comes off your eye entirely.
Alternatively, you can pinch the lens while it sits at the centre of your eye. Place your index finger and thumb on either side of the lens and move them slightly closer together in a pinching motion. Your fingers should be in a tight "V" formation to allow for grip and traction. The slight pressure should cause the centre of the lens to pop up and away from your eye, enabling you to grip it with the same fingers.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the lens on your fingertip and look at it from the side. If it's the right way around, it will look like a cup or a bowl with the edges curving upwards. If it's inside out, it will look like a rimmed bowl with the edges flaring outwards.
The taco test is a method to check if your contact lens is the right way around. Place the lens between your thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze it as if you're folding it in half like a taco. If the edges point upwards like a taco shell, the lens is the right way around. If the edges flare outwards towards your thumb and forefinger, it's inside out.
Simply remove the lens, rinse it with contact lens solution, and put it back in the correct way.
Wash your hands and ensure your fingernails are not long, as these can scratch or tear the lenses. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger or middle finger. Use your other hand to hold up your upper eyelid and expose more of your eye. Look away if you prefer, and place the lens on the white of your eye. It will slither into place.
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