How to Put In and Take Out Contacts

When you first get contact lenses, taking them in and out can be difficult. It can feel awkward placing your fingers near your eyes. However, with a little time and practice, taking your contact lenses in and out gets easier. To put your contacts in, you use your index finger to place the lens over your iris. To take them out, you push the contact down with your index finger until it pops out. Make sure to keep your contact lenses clean, as this cuts back your risk for an infection.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Putting Your Contacts In

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    Wash your hands thoroughly. You should never handle your contact lenses without washing your hands first. Your eyes are very susceptible to infection, and handling your contacts with dirty hands can be dangerous.[1]
    • Make sure to wash all areas of your hands, including your fingertips, between your fingers, and the backs of your hands. Use soap and running water.
    • When drying your hands, be sure to use a clean towel. You do not want to get bacteria from a dirty towel on your hands after washing them.
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    2
    Remove a contact from the package. Open the package according to its instructions. Usually, contacts come in individual packets and you have to peel off the plastic covering the top of each individual packet.
    • Carefully slide the lens on your index finger.
    • Slide the lens upward until you remove it from its package.
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    Inspect the contact lens. Hold the lens on the tip of your finger. In a well-lit area, bring the lens close to your eyes to examine it. Make sure the lens is damage-free before putting it in your eye.
    • The lens should be in a semi-circular shape. The edge of the lens should be smooth and not have a lip. A lens with a lip is inside out, and you will have to turn it over before placing it in your eye.
    • You should also make sure the contact lens is free of dirt or hairs, and does not have any tears.
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    4
    Pull down your lower eyelid. Start with your right eye. Keep your contact on your index finger. Take your middle finger and use it to pull down your lower eyelid.
    • If you've never put in a contact before, use a mirror here. Look straight into a mirror while you put your contact in place.
    • You may also pull up your upper eyelid to open your eye wider.
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    5
    Place the lens over your iris. Watch your hand with your left eye. Move your index finger towards your eye. Place the contact directly onto your right iris. Press the contact down until all corners of the contact are touching your eye.
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    Blink a few times. This will secure the contact in place, and also smooth out any air bubbles. Keep blinking until you can see clearly with the contact in place.
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    Repeat the process with your other eye. As soon as the first contact is comfortably in place, move on to the next one. Repeat the exact same process, only with your left eye.
    • Putting contacts in can be very tricky at first, so don't be surprised if takes several tries to get your contacts in at first.
    • After awhile, you should get the hang of putting contacts in. You may not even need a mirror after a certain point.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Taking Your Contacts Out

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    Wash and dry your hands. You should also wash and dry your hands before taking your contacts out. Wash your hands with soap and clean water, making sure to wash all portions of each hand.[2]
    • Dry your hands with a clean towel when you're done.
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    2
    Pull your lower eyelid down. Blink a few times before pulling down your lower lid. This will assure that the contact is placed directly over your pupil. Use your middle finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid.[3]
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    3
    Use your index finger to slide the lens downward. Place your index finger over your contact lens. Look upward while gently sliding your index finger downward. Slide the lens onto the white portion of your eye.[4]
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    4
    Remove the lens carefully. The lens should begin to slip away from your eye slightly. At this point, very gently squeeze the lens between your index finger and thumb. Once you have a good grip on the lens, pull it away from your eye.[5]
    • Make sure to keep your grip gentle. It's very easy to tear a contact lens, and you do not want to do so in the process of removing one.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Using Your Contacts Safely

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    Replace your contact solution regularly. You should never reuse contact lens solution. Each night when removing your contacts, place them in fresh solution. Reusing the solution from the night before can expose your contact lenses to bacteria. This increases your risk of an eye infection.[6]
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    2
    Remove your contacts overnight regularly. Some contacts are designed for extended wear. However, you should still remove your contacts overnight as often as possible. The longer you leave your contacts in, the greater your risk for an eye infection. Whenever possible, remove your contacts overnight.[7]
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    3
    Do not use water or saliva to wet contact lenses. You should only use contact lens solution to wet your lenses. Saliva and tap water contain a lot of bacteria. You do not want to expose your eyes to bacteria, as this can greatly increase your risk of an eye infection.[8]
    • Carry a small container of contact solution when you when your out. This way, you can quickly disinfect your contact lenses if they fall out.
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    4
    Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for your contact lenses. Each type of contact lens is slightly different, and there will be different specific instructions regarding care. Some contact lenses need to be replaced more often than others. Therefore, it's important to always read your manufacturer's instructions closely. [9]
    • You should also ask your eye doctor any questions you have regarding your contact lenses.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.vsp.com/put-in-contact-lenses.html
  2. ↑ https://www.dailies.com/docs/How-To-Insert-Your-Lenses.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.dailies.com/docs/How-To-Insert-Your-Lenses.pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.dailies.com/docs/How-To-Insert-Your-Lenses.pdf
  5. ↑ https://www.dailies.com/docs/How-To-Insert-Your-Lenses.pdf
  6. ↑ http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/10/18/7-sins-of-contact-lens-wearers
  7. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/contact-lenses/art-20046293?pg=2
  8. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/contact-lenses/art-20046293?pg=2
  9. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/contact-lenses/art-20046293?pg=2

About This Article

Shaune Wallace, OD
Medically reviewed by:
Shaune Wallace, OD
Doctor of Optometry, Southern California College of Optometry
This article was medically reviewed by Shaune Wallace, OD. Dr. Wallace is an Optometrist in Nevada with over 14 years of optometry experience. He received his OD from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2006 and is a member of the American Optometric Association. This article has been viewed 53,251 times.
39 votes - 78%
Co-authors: 17
Updated: March 2, 2023
Views: 53,251
Categories: Contact Lenses
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