Contact lenses are a convenient, effective alternative to glasses—but not all lenses are equally safe. This Complete Guide on Wearing Contact Lenses highlights the safest types of contact lenses, based on modern clinical evidence and optometrist recommendations.
🧼 1. Getting ready for Wearing Contact Lens
Hygiene is essential before touching your eyes or lenses:
Use soap (preferably non-scented and non-greasy) to thoroughly wash your hands.
Use a towel free of lint to dry your hands.
Put in your contacts before putting on makeup, and take them out before taking it off.
👓 2. Contact Lens Types
Recognise your lens type before using it:
Type Wear Time Care
Daily Disposable 1 day Discard after use
Biweekly/Monthly 14–30 days Clean daily
Extended Wear Up to 30 days (day & night) Not suitable for everyone
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Long-lasting Special care required
Always adhere to the care instructions and schedule that your optometrist has given you.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions for Inserting Contact Lenses:
- Use fresh contact lens solution, never water, to rinse the lens (unless it’s a daily disposable).
- The lens should resemble a bowl when you place it on the tip of your index finger.
- Verify the orientation: It is inside-out if the edges flare out like a saucer.
- To stop yourself from blinking, hold your upper eyelid in one hand.
- Using your other hand’s middle finger, pull down the lower lid.
- Gently place the lens on your eye and look up or forward.
- To position it, blink slowly.
- For the other eye, repeat.
📌 Advice: Take out the lens, clean it, and try again if your eyes are irritated.
🧴 4. Lens Cleaning & Maintenance (for reusable lenses)
Daily Schedule for Care:
- For a few seconds, gently rub the lenses with the solution in your palm.
- Use new contact lens solution to rinse.
- Keep in a fresh solution in a clean lens case.
- Never use the same solution twice.
Care for Lens Cases: - Rinse the case with the solution every day.
- Remove the caps and let it air dry.
- Every one to three months, replace the case. Steer clear of water, saliva, and homemade mixtures and only use the solutions that have been recommended.
5. Things Not to Do
- Avoid sleeping with lenses unless your doctor has given the all-clear.
- Avoid submerging lenses in water (no showers or swimming).
- Don’t wear lenses that are broken or expired.
- Never change the brand of your lenses without first talking to your optometrist.
- Avoid wearing your lenses for longer than is recommended.
🛑 6. Indications That Your Contacts Should Be Removed Right away
- Irritation or redness
- Hazy or blurry vision
- Discomfort or pain
- Excessive tearing or unusual discharge Light sensitivity
➡️ Take out the lens and see your eye doctor if symptoms continue.
🧼 7. How to Take Out Contact Lenses
Removal of Soft Lenses:
- Hands should be cleaned and dried.
- Pull down the lower eyelid and look up.
- Gently pinch the lens with your thumb and index finger to extract it.
- If reusable, clean; if daily, discard.
9. Eye Exam & Check-Ups 👨⚕️
See your ophthalmologist once a year or as recommended.
As necessary, update your prescription.
🧠 BONUS: Beginner’s Advice
Don’t worry if it takes some time; practice makes perfect.
Try inserting when your eyes are not irritated and after a restful night’s sleep.
If necessary, apply lubricating eye drops that have been prescribed by a doctor.
Always keep an extra pair of glasses on hand.
Great knowledge 👏