Insertion of soft contact lenses
- Place contact lens on the tip of your index finger with others tucked out
the way (finger should be no wetter than the eye or the contact lens will
stay on finger).
- Use right hand for right eye & left hand for left eye (otherwise
the nose gets in the way).
- Looking slightly across nose in mirror.
- Drag the bottom eyelid down with opposite hand.
- Mention touchability of sclera vs cornea.
- Place contact lens on the sclera with bottom edge of contact lens touching first
(the angle the contact lens is placed on finger is crucial).
- Press firmly and then release bottom lid. (Curvature of cornea -
therefore air bubble created).
- Massage contact lens into place through lids or blink a couple of times.
- Repeat for the other eye.
Hint: If the contact lens is folding over each time then it means you are
blinking before the contact lens has settled, try holding top lid. You may
find it easier to practice touching the sclera without a contact lens a few
times before inserting the contact lens
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Removal of soft contact lenses
- With the second finger of your dominant hand or opposite hand,
pull the lower lid down.
- Bend head forward.
- Place your index finger of the same hand on the contact lens and slide it
down onto the exposed white of the eye.
- With your thumb and index finger, pinch the contact lens off the eye
(Don't squeeze too hard).
- Clean and store the first contact lens before removing the second.
Tips
Long nails
It is always better for contact lens wearers to keep their
fingernails trimmed short. However in cases where this cannot be done
use the same steps as above except the contact lens should be dragged past
the white of the eye and onto the bottom lid. Then it can be plucked
off the eyelashes.
I can't get my eye to open wide enough
The simple trick here is to reach around over your head and, using just one finger, gently lift the upper lid open. Pull your lower lid down with the middle finger of the hand holding your contact lens. It also helps to keep both eyes open during contact lens insertion. After a little training, it won't be hard at all.
Why does the contact lens stick to my finger and not to my eye?
Contact lenses are part water and are attracted to wet things. Before handling contacts, be sure to wipe off any moisture your hands with a clean lint free towel. If your fingertips are dry the contact lens will easily go from your finger onto the moist surface of your eye. Remember to keep your contact lenses wet and your finger dry.
Do I have to put the contact lens exactly in the middle of the eye?
A contact lens won't fit or feel right if it isn't centered. The good news is that the shape of your eye and the contact lens match so closely, that even if you put it in off-center, it will usually slide into place by itself.
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