It can take time to get used to wearing and caring for contact lenses.

Caring for your contact lenses depends on the type of contact lenses you use – make sure to talk with your doctor of optometry about the particular contact lenses you have been prescribed.

This guide discusses soft contact lenses.

Key tips

• Only wear your contacts for the recommended length of time, even if they feel comfortable.
• Remove, clean and disinfect your lenses at the intervals prescribed.
• Only use the cleaning and disinfecting system prescribed by your doctor of
  optometry.
• Have regular eye exams.
• Don’t sleep or nap while wearing your contacts unless specifically indicated.
• Don’t use any eye medications or eye drops without consulting your doctor of
  optometry.

How to insert your soft contact lenses

Preparation

1.   Wash your hands with a mild cream-free soap, rinse completely and dry with a lint-free towel.
2. Avoid using your fingernails to handle your lenses.
3. If you’re working near a sink, close the drain.
4. Get in the habit of always working with the same (right or left) lens first to avoid mix-ups.
5. Either remove the lens from the storage case with your fingertip or pour the lens and storage fluid from the case into your palm.
6. Inspect the lens for particles, deposits or tears.

Inserting the lenses

1. Place the lens, cup side up, on your dry forefinger.
2. Determine if the lens is right side out. If it is right side out, the lens’ edge will appear almost straight up. If inside out, the edges will flare out slightly. Another test to determine if the lens is right side out is to place the lens on a crease in the palm of your hand and then cup the hand slightly. This will flex the lens. If the edge of the lens curls inwards, it is the correct way out; if the edge curls outwards and wraps onto the palm of the hand, it is inside out. If it is inside out, reverse it.
3. Pull the bottom eyelid down using the middle finger of the hand that is holding the contact lens.
4. Hold the upper lid and lashes with the other hand to prevent blinking.
5. Look up so the white part of your eye shows.
6. Place the lens onto the exposed white part of your eye.
7. Or, instead of looking up, look straight ahead into the mirror and gently place the lens on to the cornea.
8. Move your finger away and slowly let go of your eyelids, bottom lid first, and then
   top.
9. Look downward to help position the lens properly then slowly close your eye
   momentarily.
10. Follow the same steps to insert the other lens.

You can apply one or two drops of prescribed lens lubricant (eye drops) to your eyes on occasion if your lenses feel dry or if blurry vision occurs during wear. If you feel that this is required more than once during each wearing period, consult your doctor of optometry.