Insertion and Removal

Although your eye care practitioner has already demonstrated insertion and removal techniques, here are some additional tips to assist you in the correct insertion and removal techniques.

Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses. An antibacterial soap is preferable to lessen the chance of infection. Try to be consistent and always insert and remove the same lens first.

Before insertion of the lens, always ensure that the lens is not inside out. Place the lens on your index finger and look at a cross-section to see the curve of the lens. If a lip on the edge of the lens is present, then the lens is inside out. If the lens has a more rounded shape, then it is ready for insertion.

Soft Contact Lenses

For the right lens, place the lens on the index finger of the right hand. Hold your top lid with the index and longest finger of the left hand. It is easier to hold the lid if you trap the eyelashes under the fingertips, with the fingers more or less vertical. Looking in a mirror, hold the bottom lid with the longest finger on the right hand. Gently place the lens on your eye, release your hands and slowly close your lids. Wait a few seconds and check the lens is centred properly. If the lens is uncomfortable, pull it onto the white of your eye and then re-centre the lens. This should remove any dust trapped under the lens. Follow the same procedure for your left eye.

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

For the right lens, place the lens on the index finger of the right hand. Hold your top lid with the index and longest finger of the left hand. It is easier to hold the lid if you trap the eyelashes under the fingertips, with the fingers more or less vertical. Place a mirror flat on a table. Leaning over the mirror, bring your finger slowly toward your eye until the lens is placed centrally on your eye. Release your hands and slowly close your lids. Wait a few seconds and check the lens is centred properly. If the lens has dislodged onto the white of your eye, position it centrally by massaging the lens through your closed eyelid. Follow the same procedure for your left eye.

Removal of your Contact Lenses

Soft Contact Lenses

If the lens feels dry, insert a drop of lens lubricant prior to removing the lens from the eye. For your right lens, hold your top lid with the index and longest finger of the left hand. It is easier to hold the lid if you trap the eyelashes under the fingertips, with the fingers more or less vertical. Looking in a mirror, hold the bottom lid with the longest finger on the right hand. Place the thumb and index finger of your right hand on either side of the lens and looking up slightly, slowly pinch the outside of the lens. The lens will buckle slightly and lift off your eye. Do not pinch the lens hard, otherwise it may split. Follow the same procedure for your left eye.

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

Method 1

Ensure the lens is positioned correctly. For each eye, open your eye wide so that your lids are not resting on the contact lens. Pull on the outer edge of your eye so that the top and bottom lids are pulled taut. Ensure your hand is positioned beneath your eye so as to catch the lens. Blink quickly and the lid pressure will cause the lens to pop out onto your hand. If the lens becomes dislodged while attempting removal re-centre it before continuing.

Method 2

Ensure the lens is positioned correctly. For each eye, open your eye wide so that your lids are not resting on the contact lens. Position the contact lens remover perpendicular to your eye and slowly bring it closer until the lens adheres to the suction cup. Slide the contact lens off the remover.

Caring for your eyes

Contact lens wearers should adopt a responsible attitude to lens wear. You should have your lenses checked by your eye care practitioner annually. It is also your responsibility to check your eyes daily for early signs of problems. This is best performed by the principle of Look Good, See Good and Feel Good. Verify after inserting the lenses that your eyes "Look Good" ? if they appear white, that they "See Good" ? close each eye and ensure you can see normally, and that they "Feel Good" ? blink after insertion and confirm there is no discomfort. If you fail any of these tests it would be prudent to remove the lenses and clean them. If upon reinsertion the symptoms persist and the lenses continue to irritate, then immediately discontinue wear and consult your eye care practitioner.

Caring for your Lenses

Always use the solutions that your eye care practitioner has recommended. Maintaining lenses usually consists of cleaning, rinsing and disinfecting.

Soft Contact Lenses

The following is the correct procedure for the care of lenses using a chemical disinfecting system.

Shake the bottle of cleaner or multi-purpose solution. Apply two drops to the lens. Rub the lens in a circular motion in the palm of your hand with the index finger of your other hand. Perform this for 20 seconds, repeating on the other side of the lens. Rinse both sides of the lens with saline or multi-purpose solution. Place the contact lens in the case with fresh disinfecting solution (do not use saline). Repeat for the other lens. Replace lens cap and tighten. Empty the case each morning and leave it uncapped to dry. 

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses

The following is the correct procedure for the care of lenses using a chemical disinfecting system.

Shake the bottle of cleaner or multi-purpose solution. Apply two drops to the lens. Rub the lens in the palm of your hand, or between your index finger and thumb in a circular motion for 20 seconds. Rinse the lens with saline. Place the contact lens in the case with fresh disinfecting solution. Repeat for the other lens. Replace lens cap and tighten. Dispose of the solution each morning.

Caring for your case

Studies have found the contact lens case to be the most frequent source of ocular infection. Every morning after inserting the contact lenses the case should be emptied of solution, rinsed and left to air dry. The case should be scrubbed weekly with hot water and replaced regularly.