Make a list of fears and concerns to discuss during your visit. Ask for a free trial pair of contact lenses for practice. Request an eye exam. They are painless, a good idea, and a good practice of what to expect next time you visit the optometrist. As an alternative, talk to friends or family members who wear contact lenses and ask them what their fears were and how they overcame them.
Prior to ever wearing contact lenses, you might fear that something on your eye will cause pain or discomfort. Modern contact lens materials, however, are flexible, comfortable, and designed to properly fit your eyes. If you do experience pain or discomfort, talk to your optometrist about finding a more appropriate lens. A popular urban legend cites terrible damage or even death occurring because a contact lens slid up an eye and entered the brain. Biologically, this is impossible because eye anatomy only permits an object on the eye to be removed from the front. Eye infection is possible, but modern contact lenses, along with products that disinfect and protect them, makes it almost impossible to get an infection. If this still makes you nervous, then you might opt for daily disposable contacts so that you enjoy a brand new and clean lens every day.
Always practice good hygiene by washing your hands thoroughly. Take your time. Begin by touching your upper and lower eyelids followed by your eyelashes, then the whites of your eyes. Gently tap your eye a few times to prove to yourself that there is nothing to fear.
Practice not blinking by placing your index finger on the upper eyelid while your thumb is placed on the lower eyelid to hold open your eye. Take your other hand and imitate putting a lens on your eye so that your mind and eye get used to this motion. It is important to practice the same order repeatedly because contacts are designed specifically for an individual eye. This means they are not transferable from one eye to the other. The helper hand, the one that holds the eyelids open, needs to be steady in order to prevent blinking midstream.
Using a mirror to insert contact lenses on your eyes will help take some sensation out of the process. Take your time and practice since looking into the mirror will reverse the image, making it a bit more difficult to skillfully locate where the lens should exactly go. Sit close to the mirror and concentrate on the process rather than the actual lens touching the eye. Then, when the lens is near the eye, look up slightly and place the lens on the white part of your eye. Carefully slide the contact into the correct position to finish the process. If the lens is not exactly in the right position, that’s okay. Try closing your eye and then look up, down, left and right to position the lens in the right place.
Use mild non-cosmetic soap. Perfumed, oiled, and lotion soaps often cause irritation or even blurred vision because of the residue they leave behind on your hands. Make sure your hands are dried with a lint-free towel before handling lenses. Keep fingernails short and smooth to avoid scratching or damaging your eyes and/or the lens. If you do have long fingernails, be sure to use the pads of your fingers and not the nails.
Same order goes for removal: contacts first, all other beauty products second. Avoid creams, lotions, and moisturizers before putting on contact lenses. Be careful with waterproof makeup because a lens will bind to the makeup, forcing you to use an oil-based remover and basically destroying the lens.
Do not reuse solution because bacteria and debris remain in it after the first cleaning. Reusing solution has the potential to cause an eye infection. Never use any kind of water to clean your contacts, always use solution. Ask your optometrist for a recommended name brand and stay loyal to it. Although generic products are often cheaper, they may not be compatible with your contacts. Generic products are often old recipes sold by contact companies; if you are wearing the latest type of contacts from the company and wearing the previous generation’s cleaning solution, you may run into issues. [9] X Research source Stick to products made specifically for your contacts.
For the same reasons as above, do not wear your contacts while swimming. Swimming with contacts in puts you at risk for infection, in particular Acanthamoeba. [11] X Research source Water is not solution and should never be used as a substitute. If no solution is available and your contacts are irritating you, throw them away.
Even if you bought “no-rub” solution it is always a good idea to gently rub your lenses between your fingers and then rinse them with solution to remove any unwanted debris from them. Cleaning your case nightly. Again, use solution and not water letting the case air dry when you are finished. Replace your case every three months.
Ask your optometrist for a chart or scheduler to remind you of when the expiration dates are for your contact lenses. Or, make your own. There may also be an app or online tool available through the company that can remind you with emails or text messages. Avoid sharing contact lenses with your friends. Wearing other people’s contacts will increase the possibility of getting an infection, especially if your friend already has any kind of eye condition or irritation.
If this begins to occur frequently, consider getting a prescription for overnight or extended wear lenses for safety.
Eyes should always be clear and white. Remove immediately if you have red or itchy eyes, puffing or swelling, blurriness, or pain and discomfort. If you do have these symptoms, try to combat it with lubricating drops specifically made for people who wear contact lenses.
