How to Put in a Soft Contact Lens

If you've never put a soft contact lens into your eye before, the first time can be challenging. Read on to learn how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft Contact Lenses
• Mirror
• Saline Solution

1. Wash your hands. You should never handle contact lenses with dirty hands. Thoroughly rinse the soap off too, as you don't want this getting in your eye.

2. Pick up one contact lens from its container and place it in your palm. Place a few drops of saline solution on the lens and wash it to remove any excess dirt or protein particles. Place another drop or two of solution on the lens after you're done to keep it wet.

3. Place the contact lens on your fingertip and hold it up to the light. Make sure that the lens is clear and that you can't see any dirt, hair or particles on it. If it's still dirty, repeat step 2.

4. With your opposite hand, hold open the eyelids of one eye. Stare straight ahead into a mirror and slowly bring the contact lens onto your eye. As it touches your eye, the solution will make the contact lens stick to your eye. Pull your finger away and blink - the lens should now be on correctly. Repeat for the other lens.

Tips & Warnings

• As you're putting in the lens, keep your eyes focused straight ahead - if you look away the contact lens won't be centered correctly.
• If the contact lens feels like it didn't go on your eye completely, put a few drops of solution in your eye and blink repeatedly - it should correct itself.