Like many new things, practice makes perfect. We hope these tips for wearing contact lenses for the first time will help create good habits from the beginning!
Wash your hands.
Let’s start with one of the most important tips for wearing contact lenses for the first time, and anytime thereafter! Always thoroughly wash your hands with warm soapy water. Consider using a mild soap to avoid excess perfumes and oils (which can irritate your eyes).
Don’t forget to dry your hands with a lint-free cloth or tissue.
Get comfortable.
Stand in front of a mirror, preferably over a clean, flat surface. Remember to plug the drain if you are over a sink.
Always start with the same eye.
Generally, the right and left contact prescription varies. It’s a good rule of thumb to start with the same eye and lens every time. Do this when it’s time to put contacts in and take them out to avoid any mix-ups.
Use your fingertips to handle the lens.
Whether you are inserting or removing contacts, use your fingertips (not your nails) to handle them.
Rinse the lens with contact solution.
Remember to never use tap water! Water may have germs or bacteria in it that could lead to an eye infection. Rinse the lens with contact solution. If you drop it, pick it up and rinse it with solution again.
Make sure the contact lens isn’t inside-out.
An easy way to do this is to hold the lens on your fingertip. Look at the edges. If it looks more like half a ball, it’s correct. If it looks more like a bowl with a rim, it’s inside-out.
Check for tears or damage.
While the lens is positioned on your fingertip, make sure it is not torn or damaged.
Use both hands in the beginning.
Use both hands when putting in and removing contact lenses, especially early on.
Some people prefer using their index finger to hold the lens while others prefer the middle finger. Depending on what’s comfortable, use your non-dominant hand to hold your eyelid open.
Look straight ahead or up at the ceiling to put the lens in your eye.
Shut your eyes and blink gently to get them aligned.
Once you have the contact lens in, slowly shut your eyes and let the contact settle in position. Typically, it helps to open your eyes and gently blink a few times.
Summary
There are a lot of dos and don’ts when it comes to wearing and caring for your contact lenses. Hopefully, these tips for wearing contact lenses for the first time will help you adjust to this new experience a little faster. Remember to check with your local Mississippi Eye Care expert for specific instructions based on your lens type. For more vision news and eye health tips, keep reading our blogs!
