Colored contact lenses are a growing beauty trend which with the latest contact lens technology and color opacity can completely transform your entire eye color without anyone knowing you’re wearing lenses! If you’re new to colored contact lenses and unsure of how to put them in, we’ve written this step-by-step guide to help you put them in safely and simply.
If you already wear contact lenses then the process is the same. You may notice a slight difference from your usual lenses based on different brands and the color that covers your iris, but you can use the same method to put colored lenses in as medical lenses. With the growing popularity of color contact lenses, there has been an increasing availability of prescription lenses as well as plano (0 prescription) cosmetic lenses. If you suffer from astigmatism, you can even get toric colored contact lenses custom-made to suit your eye! So whatever your vision requirements, it’s important to ensure you are putting your lenses in safety and correctly to ensure comfortable wear, long-lasting and most importantly, your overall eye health.
Step 1
Wash your hands.
This is perhaps the most important part. You don’t want to risk putting any dirt or bacteria into your eye as this could severely damage your eye health. Before handling your lenses, wash your hands in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. You should then dry your hands on a clean hand towel.
Step 2
Open your lenses.
If using brand new lenses, open the blister pack or vial and place a lens on your index finger. Wash the lens with a cleaning solution. Alternatively, you can place them into a case and submerge them in a contact-cleaner solution there before removing to insert into the eye. The solution cleanses the lenses before wearing them and also keeps them hydrated.
If re-using lenses from a monthly, quarterly or yearly replacement cycle, remove them from their case and check them for any rips or debris. If you notice debris on the lens, clean thoroughly with a cleaning solution before inserting it into the eye. If the debris won’t move or you notice a tear, dispose of the lens and use a new one. Damaged lenses, no matter how small the defect, can cause pain to the eye and damage your overall eye health.
Tip: never use water to clean your lenses. Water can damage the lenses and can be painful when you put in your lenses. There are many brands of contact lens solutions available, we recommend consulting with your optometrist or reading reviews.
Step 3
Place the lens on your finger.
The easiest way to insert lenses is to place a single lens on your index finger. Place the lens concave side up (so it looks like a bowl).
Tip: if you wet your index finger slightly with contact lens solution, it helps keep the lens hydrated – especially if you need a few attempts!
Step 4
Hold eyelid open
With your opposite hand, pull down under your eye with your fingers to hold it open.
Tip: people often find holding the lens on their dominant hand and pulling down with their dominant hand works best.
Step 5
Place contact on your eye
Place the lens on the held open eye and blink it into place. This will help centre the lens and it should become comfortable to wear. If the lens doesn’t stick and pops out your eye, simply repeat the process until it sits comfortably covering your iris and vision is perfect. If the lens feels uncomfortable or dry, remove the lens, check for tears or debris and either clean or dispose of the lens and try with a fresh, clean one.
Tip: when holding your eyelid down, some people find it helpful if they look up with their pupil to their opposite side so the lens can be placed completely on the white part of the eye before blinking into place.
Step 6
Repeat process on the other eye.
Make sure, as above, both lenses feel comfortable to wear and your vision isn’t struggling with the lenses.
A few questions which might come up when trying to put colored contacts in for the first time:
What happens if my lens goes inside out?
Colored lenses are soft and can easily fold inside out. If this happens, simply fold back the other way adding more solution if needed.
How do I know my lens is the right way round?
Pay attention to the edges of the lens. The edges should be folded up like a bowl. You can also look at the color print pattern on the lens and ensure it is pointing downwards on your fingers before inserting it into your eye.
The first time can take a little longer to insert lenses, but if you’re patient, and follow the above process, it becomes much easier to repeat with practice. Colored contact lenses are an extremely powerful beauty tool that can enhance your look and when worn and stored correctly, can last for their full replacement cycle.
References:
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/common-contact-lens-mistakes
https://time.com/4459189/contact-lenses-cdc-infection/
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/contact-lens-care?sso=y
https://www.health.com/condition/eye-health/contact-lens-mistakes