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Proper Placement of a Contact Lens

Many people who wear glasses may see the appeal of contact lenses, but they may be uncomfortable with the idea of inserting the lenses. That's understandable; sticking your own finger in your eye definitely goes against your natural instincts. Switching to contact lenses doesn't have to induce fear. Follow these steps; with a bit of practice you'll be able to insert your lenses like a pro.

  1. Preparation

    • Wash your hands before handling the lenses. Use a mild soap and rinse well, rubbing your hands beneath running water to thoroughly remove all soap residue. Allow the skin to air dry; wiping with towels could leave lint on your hands. Remove the contact lens from the package with your fingertips. Be careful to steer clear of your fingernails; they can easily scratch or tear the lenses. Hold the lens on the end of your finger and inspect it. Ensure it's undamaged, free of debris and not turned inside out. If the edges of the lens curve outward, the lens is inside out and must be inverted.

    Insertion

    • Position the lens on the tip of your index finger on your dominant hand. Move the hand holding the lens close to the eye. Use the middle finger of the same hand to pull the bottom of the eyelid down while rolling your eyes toward the ceiling. Keeping both eyes open, place the lens directly onto the white of the eye. As you begin to blink, remove your hand. When your eyelid closes, it will pull the lens from your finger and hold it against the eye. Rapidly blink several times; repeat with the other lens.

    Positioning

    • Once the lenses are in your eyes, your vision should be sharp and clear. If that's not the case, you may need to adjust the position of the lens to make sure it's centered over the pupil. Close the affected eye and gently rub your eyelid. The pressure from your fingertips will dislodge the lens from its current position. Blink rapidly several times to move the lens back into its proper position. If your vision remains unclear, remove and inspect the lens. There may be dust, dirt, oil or eyelashes clinging to the lens. If so, rinse the lens in saline solution, gently rub to remove any debris, and re-insert. If both eyes seem out of focus, you may have put your lenses into the wrong eyes, in which case you need to switch them.

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