How to Take Contact Lenses on and off Safely

Contact lenses are a complete shift from eyeglasses. They are less bulky, provide better vision, and are more comfortable. However, they come with their own challenges and responsibilities. Contact lens care is the most known and talked about aspect of contacts. But putting them on and taking them out is the least appreciated skill. 

Contact Lenses

The CDC reports that in America today, over 45 million people use contact lenses for vision correction. All these people do not use the same type of contact lens. There are two main contact lenses—hard or RGP and soft lenses. Both have a similar process for putting them on and a different one for taking them off. 

Putting on Contact Lenses

First, you must know that starting with the same lens is best to avoid confusing the prescriptions. 

Step 1

Clean your hands with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Then dry them with a lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth. 

Step 2 

Get your contact lens case and remove the lens you want to start with. Place it on the tip of your forefinger on your dominant hand. For soft lenses, check if the lens is turned inside out—it should look like a perfect U shape, not a small bowl with a rim. For the hard lens, check the lens for any abnormalities like cracks, chips, or debris. 

Step 3

Rinse the hard lens with a clear saline solution before putting it on. With the middle finger of your other hand, lift your upper eyelid. Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to hold the lower eyelid down. While looking straight ahead, slowly bring the lens to rest on the surface of your eye. Blink a few times while looking down to let the lens settle correctly in the eye. 

Removing Hard Contact Lenses

Looking straight ahead, pull the corners of the skin of your eyelids with your middle finger. Hold a soft clean cloth under your eye and blink a few times. The lens will pop out and fall on the cloth. When removing the lens over a sink, ensure you have covered the drain.

Removing Soft Contact Lenses

Step 1

Wash your hands with mild soap and plenty of water. Dry them with a lint-free cloth or microfiber towels. 

Step 2

Place a clean cloth under your eye to catch the lens in case it falls. With your nondominant hand, hold your eyelids open and use your dominant hand to reach for the lens. 

Step 3
 

Using the thumb and forefinger, pinch the edges of the lens gently to pull the lens away from the eye. Use the index finger of your nondominant hand to slide the lens out when looking up. The lens should slide right out.

For more on how to take contact lenses on and off safely, visit Coers Family Eye Care, PC, at our office in Columbus, Indiana. Call (812) 408-8400 to book an appointment today.