Putting in Contact Lenses: The Best Tips and Tricks

Putting in Contact Lenses—Tips for Beginners

For pros, putting in and taking out contact lenses is a breeze.

• If you’re still new to handling contact lenses, there’s one thing you should do above all else: Take your time—both when putting them in and when taking them out.
• Hygiene is absolutely essential when handling contact lenses. Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting the lenses. It’s best to use a lint-free cloth to dry your hands.
• If you’re inserting contact lenses, a mirror can be helpful. Ideally, place the mirror in front of you. If you don’t succeed on the first try and the lens falls, you’ll be able to find it quite easily on the mirror.
• If you’re a complete beginner, it’s best to start with a practice run using a drop of water instead of the contact lens. This will help you get used to the unusual sensation of touching your eye. You’ll also learn to manage your natural blink reflex.
• Insert soft contact lenses with your finger. If you wear hard lenses, you should use a special small suction device. Otherwise, there’s a risk that hard contact lenses will become deformed.

Placing the Contact Lens in Your Eye

Once you have a mirror handy and have washed your hands, you’re ready to begin.

• Remove the contact lens from the case and place it on the fingertip of your right index finger—if you’re right-handed.
• Make sure the lens is oriented the right way. If the edge is curved downward, you’ll need to gently flip the lens over first. If the lens looks like a bowl, it’s in the correct position.
• Lean over the mirror and use the index finger of your left hand to pull your upper eyelid up as far as possible. Use the middle finger of your right hand to pull your lower eyelid all the way down.
• Slowly bring your index finger with the lens to your eye. The contact lens will adhere on its own as soon as it touches the cornea.
• Keep your eyelids taut while moving your eye back and forth slightly. Then you can gently release your eyelids. Look down and blink a few times. The contact lens should now be seated correctly.
• Follow the same procedure for hard lenses. However, instead of using your finger to hold the lens, gently attach the contact lens to your eye using the special suction cup. As soon as the lens is on your eye, release the suction cup.