Contact Lens Insertion Tips

LENSES INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF CONTACT LENSES

Initially, you should insert and remove your contact lenses over a cloth or towel spread on the table. A mirror might be handy while learning techniques, but you should learn to do without it. If you fail in an attempt to insert a lens, the lens should be rinsed before trying again.

INSERTION

Place the lens on the index finger and retract the lower lid with the second finger. Look up, and place the lens onto the lower portion of the sclera. Remove the index finger and slowly release the lid. Close your eyes and lightly massage the lid to help centre the lens.

REMOVAL

Retract the lower lid with the second finger and place the index fingertip on the lower edge of the lens. Slide the lens down onto the sclera. Gently pinch the lens lightly between the thumb and index finger. Roll the thumb and index finger together causing the lens to double, which allows air beneath the lens, and remove from the eye.
NORMAL SYMPTOMS DURING ADAPTATION

-Blinking and watering of the eyes
-Dislike of bright lights or looking upwards
-Tension in the face or forehead
-Moments of blurred vision
-Temporary blurring of vision with spectacles after wearing contact lenses
-One lens behaving better than the other
-Reflections from lights
-Temporary doubling of vision
-Displacement of lenses on the eye
-Some inaccuracy in judgment of sizes and distances
ABNORMAL SYMPTOMS DURING ADAPTATION

Seek advice if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:

-Persistent redness of the eyes especially if it lasts overnight. A lens should never be inserted into a `red' eye as you may have a corneal abrasion that you cannot feel due to the "sensory" adaptation
-Soreness or discomfort (without the lenses in) that lasts until the next day
-If the lens is grossly uncomfortable you should remove it, clean it, and reinsert it. If it is still uncomfortable the lens should be removed and not worn until the advice of your practitioner has been sought.
-If you ever have severe pain or a very red eye advice should be sought immediately.

Every morning after you insert your contact lenses you should check the following three things:
(i) How they see – Vision should be clear for both eyes (check them separately). If not, check that the lenses are clean and that they were inserted into the correct eyes.
(ii) How they feel – The lenses should feel comfortable on your eyes
(iii) How they look – Your eyes should be essentially “white”. If your eyes turn red upon insertion, re-clean the lens. If the eye is still red and uncomfortable, remove the lens and consult your optometrist.

Bruce Macnaughton encourages you to buy contact lenses online. He writes about contact lenses for webcontacts.com.au