-
Prepare to put your lenses in. Select a clean, well lit area free of dust, fuzz, and hair-getting these items in your eye while you are putting in your contact lenses can be painful. Gather your contact lenses, saline solution and eye drops together. If you have long hair, tie it back. You may also choose to roll up your sleeves-a lens can easily fall and get stuck to clothing, making it difficult to see.
Wash your hands thoroughly. If you are going to be working at the sink, plug the sink drain so lenses cannot be dropped down the drain. Uncap the sterile saline solution, eyedrops and open one side of your contact lens case. -
Gently remove the lens from the saline in the case, either with your fingertip or by pouring the case contents into your hand. Take care not to dig or scratch the lens with your nails; also be sure you do not pull the lens too hard as it can tear easily.
Place the lens, concave side up, on your fingertip. Verify that the lens is not inside out by looking at the edges of the lens. If the lens appears rounded at the edge, it is correct. Flat edges mean that the lens is inside out. Applying a lens that is inside out can be painful and scratch your eye. Carefully rinse the lens with fresh, sterile saline solution.
Gently reach around your head with your free hand and place your index and middle finger on your upper eyelid. Grasp the gently and pull it upwards. At the same time, use your middle finger on the hand holding your lens to pull the bottom lid downwards. This exposes the surface of the eye. Tilt your head back slightly and dab the lens onto your eye. Release your lower lid first, then your upper lid. The lens should be in place. Blink your eyelids a few times; the lens should remain in your eye. If it does not remain in place and falls out, repeat the process until the lens remains in place.
Repeat the process for the second lens. You may choose to use the same hands or switch sides, depending on what is most comfortable.
