If you wear contact lenses, you know how difficult it can
be to keep them clean, moist, and in place. After all, a contact lens is
essentially a tiny, delicate, slippery silicone disk that must be inserted into
your eye by hand – and if that doesn’t already sound difficult enough, there
are a host of other issues that contact lens wearers must struggle with on a
daily basis. That’s why we at Site
for Sore Eyes Berkeley have put together a handy list of ten tips that we
hope will make your life a whole lot easier.
1) Make Sure Your
Contact Lens Isn’t Inside Out
Place the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed.
Then, hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes and look directly at it,
from a side view. If the lens forms a “U” shape with the top edges flared out, the
lens is inside out. If, however, it forms a “U” shape with the edges pointed
straight up, it’s in the correct position. Another good way to tell if your
lens is inside out is to perform the “Taco Test”: Place the lens on your finger
to form a cup, as before. Then pinch the lens together. If the edges head
toward each other (so that the lens takes the shape of a taco shell) the lens
is positioned properly for insertion. If the edges fold over onto your fingers
or turn outwards, the lens is inside out and must be flipped before you insert
it.
2) Keep Everything
Squeaky Clean
When dealing with your contact lenses, it is critically
important to keep everything clean: both the lenses and your hands. Always wash
your hands before inserting or removing your lenses. Touching your eye with
germy fingers is a great way to get a cold or nasty eye infection such as pink eye.
Avoid scented or oily soaps that might adhere to the lens surface. Especially
avoid using moisturizing lotions or any oily products that could get on the
lens during insertion. Always rinse the lens thoroughly with the appropriate
contact lens solution.
3) How to Stick
Your Finger in Your Eye without Freaking Out
Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle
finger, which should be mostly dry. With the fingers and thumb of your other
hand, simultaneously pull up on your upper eyelid and down on your lower
eyelid. Position the lens slowly and delicately on your eye while looking
upward or forward, whichever you find to be easier. You also can apply the
contact lens by placing it on the white of the eye closest to your ear. Looking
away from your finger might make the insertion process less uncomfortable. Gently
close your eye and roll your eyes in a complete
circle to help the lens settle, and then blink. Look closely in the mirror to
make sure the lens is centered on your eye. If it is, the lens should be
comfortable and your vision should be clear.
4) How to Take
Them Out
After washing your hands, you may want to place a paper
towel over the sink to prevent a lens from accidentally falling down the drain.
To remove soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways while you pull down on
your lower eyelid. With your index finger, gently maneuver the lens onto the
white of your eye. There, you can very gently pinch the lens together with your
index finger and thumb and lift it off the eye. Until you master contact lens
removal, you might want to keep your fingernails short to avoid accidentally
scratching and damaging your eye. Devices for removing contact lenses, called “plungers,”
also are available from your eye doctor, and can be used to touch and directly
remove a lens from your eye. Just make sure you touch only the lens and not
your eye’s surface with these devices. There is a myth that you can “lose” a
contact lens in the back of your eye, but this is nothing more than a myth; the
membrane that connects your eye to the back of your eyelid actually
prevents a lens from being able to slide back that far. Always consult your
doctor if a lens isn’t coming out of your eye easily after several tries.
5) Don’t Wear Them
to Sleep
Although some types of contact lenses are made to wear
for extended periods of time, most conventional lenses are designed for daily
wear and must be removed for cleaning and disinfecting every night before you
go to sleep. Sleeping in contact lenses affects the blood vessels in the eye
and increases the risk of developing corneal infections that can even lead to
permanent loss of eyesight. We at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley recommend that
you remove your contact lenses before going to sleep, or at least consult your
eye doctor.
6) Put in Your
Lenses, THEN Worry About Your Makeup
Getting makeup in your eye can be annoying, but it’s even
worse with contact lenses. Makeup can stick to the lens instead of flushing
right out. First, be sure to put your contact lenses on before applying makeup.
Remember to keep your hands clean. When it’s time to apply your makeup, use only makeup that is non-allergenic. Water-based
cream eye shadow is less likely to get in your eye than powder, but creams can
irritate your eyes even more if they do make it into your eyes. If you prefer
powder, keep your eyes closed during application. Then, brush off any excess
powder before opening your eyes. When it comes to eyeliner, never apply between
your lashes and your eye. To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then
remove your contacts, being careful not to bump them into any of your makeup.
Finally, use your makeup remover. Remember to replace your eye makeup at least every three months. Don’t use old eye makeup,
or you can risk a bacterial infection.
7) How to Deal
with Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, wearing contact
lenses can often exacerbate the symptoms. Allergens like pollen and dust can
stick to your lenses, making them extremely uncomfortable. Wear glasses if your
symptoms get worse. If you simply can’t part from your contact lenses, be sure
to clean them thoroughly or, if you wear disposable lenses, replace them more
often.
8) Keep Eye Drops
on Hand
Try to keep eye drops in your purse or in your desk at
all times, especially if you work at a computer during the day. Not only are
dry lenses uncomfortable and difficult to see out of, but they could
potentially scratch your eye and cause damage. Use your drops as often as you
need to. If you have watery or itchy eyes caused by allergies, look for drops
containing antihistamines.
9) Give Your Eyes
Time to Breathe
Don’t wear your lenses longer than you are directed to.
Dirt and protein deposits can accumulate on the lenses and can cause
irritation, eye infections, or permanent damage to your
eyes if you wear them for longer than they were intended. Although it can be
difficult to break the habit of wearing contacts (especially
if you wear them every every day), your eyes simply
need a chance to breathe. If you need to wear your lenses for extended hours, choose
lenses that are highly breathable and wear your glasses a few hours a day
instead, so oxygen can reach your corneas.
10) Visit Your
Ophthalmologist Regularly
Try to be good about keeping yearly appointments with
your eye doctor to have your eyes checked, and to see if you need a change to
your prescription. Without an up-to-date prescription, you won’t be able to
purchase contacts in the first place. Second, if your eyes become weaker, you
won’t be able to see as well with your old contacts, which can cause headaches.
If you drive with contact lenses, using an old prescription can be dangerous.
Stay up-to-date with your checkups and visit your doctor if you’re having trouble
seeing clearly.
