Contact Lenses Information

Question: Getting contact lenses on and off?

(Posted by: Margy on 2010-07-30 10:50:04)

Okay, I bought contact lenses about a month ago. They're soft cosmetic lenses (Geo lenses), so I haven't been to the opticians or anything for a "fitting " I'm really nervous about putting them on and taking them off! I tried putting them in earlier today, but my eye just flinches when I try to put it on, and it gets caught in my eyelashes. That, and I'm really worried about taking them off! I really don't want them to get stuck in my eye, with me having no way to get them out (as I have no one to help me, should I need it). Would I be better just asking my optician to help me? I really want to do it myself, however, I understand I'm a nervous WRECK. I would greatly appreciate ANY advice regarding taking them on and off. Thank you so much!

Posted by: Mogsy on 2010-07-30, 10:57:58

Aw - I can sympathise as I wore contact lenses for years. I first got them when I ws 18 and they were the hard type then so it was a great deal more difficult adn painful to get used to . You just have to try a little at a time every day. It doesn't matter if you flinch a few times - you will eventually get it right. They wont get stuck if you follow all the "rules " but make sure your hands are spotlessly clean and just take your time. Good luck - you'll get there!!

Posted by: Sven on 2010-07-30, 10:54:43

You get used to it real quickly. In my days contact lenses were shards of glass thrown at your eye from a distance. Nowadays you hardly feel them, especially soft ones. The trick to it is to keep looking straight at the finger with the lens approaching; Just don't panic. That's about the only thing that can make it go wrong; And worst case scenario, the lens just falls out. It won't get stuck, your eye will just crumple it up, and the tears will drive it to the lower edge, where you can just grab it. Practice a couple times and make sure to put a drop of liquid in them; The liquid will meet your eye, suck the lens in by adhesion and voila. Painless.

Posted by: PINKY on 2010-07-30, 11:26:23

It certainly is tricky!! but it just takes practice - you need to see someone putting one in and taking one out - have a look on You Tube - lots of videos there. good luck!!

Posted by: seesen9 on 2010-07-30, 12:04:10

First time it’s tricky. Make sure the inside of the lens is moist and the tip of your finger is as dry as possible, otherwise it will stick to your finger. To prevent flinching, you have to stretch your eyelids wide open with your other hand, otherwise the flinching reflex won’t let you do it. For me it helps not looking at the lens getting closer to my eye, I just look somewhere else. Once it stays on your eye, slowly draw your upper eyelid down over it move your eye behind closed lids to make it settle and it´s done. Getting it off is slightly more challenging but don’t worry, it can´t stuck. First time it took me like 15 minutes to take one off and I kind of panicked too, you just have to be patient the first time, it needs practice. Also make sure your fingernails are clipped short and aren’t sharp or whatever! The trick is to look up to the ceiling, carefully drag the lens down to the bottom of your eye and gently squeeze it between two fingers while still looking up. I use lenses only two months and it´s no longer a problem for me, I take them both on and off in just a few minutes tops. Read the manual included carefully, make sure you always wash your hands properly and the lens aren’t overturned inside out and its going to be just fine. Good luck!

Posted by: Guinevere on 2010-07-31, 16:24:59

I have had contacts for 35yrs...first hard now soft. I put them in and take them out as easy as putting my shoes on and off. Stand over your basin with the plug in..look into the mirror (on the wall) relax..using your index finger on your left hand to lift your right eyelid...us your middle finger (wet) to put your lense into your right eye..relax...try again... As your finger is wet the lense should not stick to it but do sometimes. If your eye gets sore and you still cant do it...try the left eye. I find it better to do it this way....looking into mirror ,head back a bit, use fourth finger on left hand to lift right lid and use middle finger (wet) on right hand to put in. To take out just pinch together with finger and thumb and take out. Thats how I do it anyways It takes practise so dont worry about it. xx