New wearers and even some experience wearers have questions about their soft contact lenses so here are some soft contact lens wearing tips.
One of the most common question by new wearers is ‘How will I know if my soft contact lens is inside out?” The difference is subtle but before putting the soft contact lens in your eye make sure it looks like a half ball not like a soup bowl or a u with flared out edges. You can do this by holding the lens up directly in front of your eye and then looking down on it. If it forms a half a ball or a proper U it’s the right way.
If your soft contact lens is tinted with the lens on your fingertip look down. You should see the color tint along the edge. Other lenses have a laser marking with the company name. If you can read it properly the lens is in the correct position.
Before you apply your contacts you need to wash your hands but don’t use scented or oily soap that can cling to your lens and cause eye irritation. To avoid mixing up which lens goes in which eye it helps to always put the same eye in first.
Before removing your soft contact lens from the case shake gently to loosen the lens in case it is stuck. Then slide the lens out of the case into your palm. Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger. With the fingers and thumb on your hand pull up on your eyelid and down on your lower eyelid, then place the lens on the white of your eye. Roll your eye then blink.
When it is time to remove your contacts look upwards and sideway and pull on the lower eyelid. Use your finger to gently maneuver the lens on the white of your eye. Then gently pinch the lens together and lift f off your eye. Don’t worry it can take some time to master this technique. It’s a good idea to have your nails really short so you can’t damage your eye. Of course you should wash your hands before you begin the removal process.
Exposure to excess UV light can cause photokeratitis. Some lenses incorporate UV protection in their soft contact lens. The packaging should tell you whether your lenses have this protection.
UV blocking is not to replace your UV protection sunglasses. The two protections compliment each other nicely.
If you wear makeup you know eye makeup in the eye can burn and is very annoying. It’s even worse when you have your soft contact lens in. You will need to immediately flush the area. Put your lens in before you apply your makeup and always wash your hands so you don’t transfer contaminants.
Inserting your soft contact lens and removing them are the difficult part. Once you master that you’ll be set.