How to Put on Contact Lenses with Long Nails

Co-authored by Alexander Knezevic, MD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 27, 2022 References

If you have acrylic or fake nails, wearing contact lenses may feel about as possible as finding a needle in a haystack. While it may not be easy at first, putting in contacts with long nails isn’t the Herculean task it seems to be. Focus on handling the lens with your fingers and fingertips. Even if it takes a few tries, you’ll be able to get the hang of it with enough patience and practice!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Inserting the Lenses

1
Scoop the contact gently out of the case with the edge of your nail. Try not to physically touch the center of the contact with your nail, or you may scratch it by accident. Instead, focus on coaxing and sliding the lens out of the package or case and then pinching it with your fingertips.^{[1]
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- Try not to touch or handle your contacts with your nails directly, if you can.
2
Hold open your upper and lower eyelids with 2 fingers. Take your pointer finger and lift your upper lash line. Then, pull your lower lash line down with your middle finger, creating a wide space where you can easily fit your contact. Focus on pulling with your fingertips, and not your nails.^{[2]
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3
Balance the lens along the side of your opposite fingertip. Place your contact lens along the side of your finger or your fingertip. Check that the lens is a dome shape, so it can fit easily over your eye. Since your 1 hand is busy holding your eyelids open, you’ll be using your opposite hand and fingertip to insert your lens.^{[3]
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4
Center and insert the lens in the middle of your eye. With your eyelids still pulled open, guide and place the lens in the center of your eye. Protect both your eye and your lens by keeping your lens on your finger instead of your nail.^{[4]
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5
Blink several times so the lens stays in place. Keep blinking until your contact feels like it’s centered and balanced correctly. Focus on doing thorough, full blinks, which will help your contact stay put.^{[5]
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6
Pinch and pull out the lens to remove the lens. Place your pointer finger beneath your upper lash line, and your middle finger above your lower lash line. Pinch your fingers on top of the contact lens until you get a good grip. At this point, gently pull and lift the lens from your eye.^{[6]
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- As always, do your best to touch the lens with your fingertips instead of your nails.
- If you’re having trouble removing a lens on your own, try removing it with tweezers designed for contacts.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Practicing Sanitary Habits

1
Wash your hands before touching your contacts. Resist the temptation to toss your contacts in with dirty or otherwise unwashed hands. Clean your hands with water and mild soap for 20 seconds before handling your contacts. Since you’ll be touching your eyelids with your bare hands, you don’t want to introduce any unwanted germs to your body.^{[8]
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- Dry your hands off with a lint-free towel so your fingers won’t transfer lint to your contacts.^{[9]
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- Don’t forget about your nails, too! Take some time wash beneath your long nails to get rid of the germs hiding there.^{[10]
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2
Insert your contacts before applying any makeup. If you’re getting ready for a night out or preparing a costume, put your contacts in before reaching for your favorite cosmetics. Be gentle as you apply the makeup, and don’t get any cosmetics inside your eye. Before you remove your makeup, pull out your contacts first.^{[11]
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- Choose an oil-free, hypoallergenic makeup remover that’ll be easy on your eyes.
- Remove your lenses and clean them with contact solution immediately if you get any makeup on them.
- It’s easy to tear up when you’re putting in contacts, so you don’t want your makeup to run!^{[12]
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3
Clean your lens with some solution if you drop it. It’s perfectly understandable if you lose your grip on your lens, especially if you’re not used to handling your contacts with your long nails. Grab a contact solution that’s designed specifically for contacts, and not just labeled as a saline solution. Rinse off the lens thoroughly before putting it back into your eye.^{[13]
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- Unfortunately, generic saline solution won’t disinfect your lenses.^{[14]
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- Avoid using water to clean off your contact lenses.
4
Store your lenses in a case if you can wear them more than once. Keep a contact lens case near your vanity, or wherever you usually put in your contacts. Store your lenses in this case with some fresh contact solution whenever you’re not wearing them, so they stay clean and disinfected.^{[15]
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- Try to get in the habit of washing out your lens case with contact lens solution every few days or weeks. After 3 months, consider replacing your lens case altogether.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you wear contact lenses with nails?

Alexander Knezevic, MD
Ophthalmologist
Dr. Alexander Knezevic is an Ophthalmologist at the Macy Eye Center in Los Angeles, California. He also is Medical Staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is a Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology at UCLA. He graduated with his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and he completed his Residency at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. Dr. Knezevic did his Fellowship at the University of California-Irvine, and he’s board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Additionally, Healthgrades has awarded him their Honor Roll award.

Alexander Knezevic, MD

Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

Well, although it might seem really hard or even impossible, all you need is patience. Focus on handling the lens with your fingers and fingertips. Even if it takes a few tries, you’ll be able to get the hang of it with enough patience, practice, and proper training!
Question

What's the longest you can sleep with contacts?

Alexander Knezevic, MD
Ophthalmologist
Dr. Alexander Knezevic is an Ophthalmologist at the Macy Eye Center in Los Angeles, California. He also is Medical Staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is a Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology at UCLA. He graduated with his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and he completed his Residency at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. Dr. Knezevic did his Fellowship at the University of California-Irvine, and he’s board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Additionally, Healthgrades has awarded him their Honor Roll award.

Alexander Knezevic, MD

Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

Well, you shouldn't be sleeping with your contact lenses. Sleeping while wearing contact lenses has been shown to cause up to 8 times greater risk of an eye infection.

Warnings

Only use store-bought lens solution that’s approved by your eye doctor. Making your own lens solution isn’t a good idea, and it likely won’t be a viable long-term solution for your lenses.^{[17]
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Don’t put your contacts in your mouth if they seem dry. This will contaminate them a lot.^{[18]
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