How to Tell If Contact Lens Are Correct for Putting in Eye

Contact lenses are a common alternative to traditional eyeglasses. They are effective and comfortable when used properly. Contacts must be prescribed by an ophthalmologist, who will determine whether or not a person's eyes are healthy enough for contacts. Before putting contacts in your eyes, follow a few simple steps to make sure they are prepared correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Contact lenses
• Saline or contact solution
• Clean towel or tissue

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Instructions

Check Cleanliness

• 1

  Put a contact on the tip of your index finger and look at it closely against the light. Move it around in all directions. Small bits of debris or smudges will likely be visible. That means the contact must be cleaned before you put it into your eye.

• 2

  Put the contact in the palm of your hand and cup that hand. Squirt contact or saline solution onto the contact so it is almost covered. Use your index finger to rub the contact gently for five seconds.

• 3

  Dry your index finger and put the contact back on the tip of it. Check for debris or smudges again. If any still remain, wash it again.

Check the Rim

• 4

  Place the contact on the tip of your index finger with the least amount of lens (the rounded portion) touching your skin.

• 5

  Look very closely at the rim of the contact lens. Does it bend outward slightly? If so, it is upside-down. Many soft contact lenses can flip back and forth, but will only feel right in your eye if the correct side is facing up.

• 6

  Flip the lens over and check the rim again. Are the edges bent outward even more, or do they point straight at the ceiling? If they are straight, the contact is correct. If they bend outward more, the other way was correct. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell, but the incorrect way should be obvious when compared.

Check for Irregularities

• 7

  Place the clean contact lens on the tip of your index finger and hold it up to a light.

• 8

  Look closely at the lens for rips or tears. Any tearing is likely to show up at the rim of the contact, but could also be in the center of the lens. If a lens is torn, do not wear it. Ripped contacts can scratch your eyes, and wearing a damaged lens is painful.

• 9

  Stop wearing your contact lens and visit your eye doctor to make sure your eye is healthy if the lens causes pain or discomfort, even if nothing appears to be wrong.