How to Adjust to Soft Contacts From Gas Permeable

Soft lenses are often less costly and far more comfortable to wear than gas permeables. However, many people continue to use the old gas permeables because they fear the transition and adjustment to the new soft lenses. Leaving the world of gas permeable lenses takes a little time and effort, but the benefits in comfort and expense make it worth the effort.

Instructions

Placing the lense in your eye

• 1

  Put the soft lenses in your eye. Although the lenses are larger than the gas permeables, the technique for placing them in the eye is pretty much the same. Staring into a mirror with the moist lens on your fingertip, aim at the iris. Touch the lens to your eye; it will attach and move to its position. Blink.

• 2

  Allow the soft lenses to remain in the eye for about six to eight hours. Unlike the rigid gas permeables, soft lenses don't require you to build up time in order to be comfortable. However, it is better for your eye health to start with a shorter wearing period, adding two hours each day until you can wear the lenses for a 14-16 hour day. This prevents compromising the cornea, and allows for a smooth transition.

• 3

  Remove them from the eye at the end of the day. This is different--and is something of an adjustment. You cannot feel your fingers touch the lenses. So, with your eye wide open, and with one hand holding your eyelid so that you don't blink, use the other hand to touch the lens with the thumb and index finger, gently pinch the lens edges together, and lift the lens off the eye.

• 4

  Clean them according to the manufacturer's directions. It is very important to follow the cleaning regimen, because bacteria can grow quickly on the gel-like surface of a soft contact. (If you are using disposable soft lenses, throw them away, and begin anew the next day with a fresh pair.)

• 5

  Place the lenses in the overnight container, and add the soft lens maintenance and soaking solution. (Soft lenses always must be kept moist in a saline or maintenance solution.)

• 6

  As you adjust to the lenses over the next few weeks, note any change in vision that might occur.

• 7

  Follow up with your eye-care provider and check your vision after at least four weeks. After a long history of wearing gas permeable lenses, your eyes have accommodated the corneal curve to that rigid lens shape. Your eye might reshape with the soft lenses, and your eye-care provider can check on this transition.