How to Insert and Remove Contact Lenses

When you first start wearing contact lenses, getting used to putting them in and taking them out can be a frustrating experience! There are many different methods, but we've detailed the easiest methods below.

Inserting Contact Lenses

You should always start with same eye every time you insert your lenses, to prevent accidentally mixing them up!

Inserting RGP Contact Lenses: 

1.     Remove the lens from the lens case.

2.     Place the lens on the tip of your index finger. With the middle finger of the same hand, pull down the lower lid.  
3.     With the index or middle finger of the other hand, lift the upper lid. Place the lens on your eye.

4.     Gently release the lids and blink. The lens should center itself automatically.

5.     Repeat for other eye.

  
Inserting Soft Contact Lenses:

1.     Put the lenses on the tip of your index finger. Ensure the lens is not inside-out. (It can be hard to determine this, but the easiest way to tell is to hold the lens on the tip of your finger and look at the profile of the lens. If the edges try to curl back on themselves, the lens is inside out).

2.     Look straight ahead. Pull down your lower eyelid with the middle finger of the same hand.

3.     Pull the top lid up with the index finger of the other hand and look up.

4.     Gently place the lens on the lower white of the eye.

5.     Remove your index finger and release your eyelid.

6.     Look down, and close your eyes for a moment. The lens should center itself automatically.

7.   Repeat for the other eye.

If you still find inserting your lenses difficult, or have long nails, we stock a range of inserters and removers.

Removing Contact Lenses

Blink Method -

1. Place your index finger at the outer junction of your upper and lower lids. Stretch the skin outward and slightly upward while keeping your eye open wide (don't allow your lid to slide over your lens).

2. Put your other hand underneath the eye and blink briskly. The lens will be pinched by the pressure of your eyelids and will pop out onto your hand.

Two-finger Method -

1. Place the tip of the index finger of one hand on the middle of the edge of the upper lid and the index finger of the other hand on the middle of the edge of the lower lid.

2. Press the lids inward and then together. The lens should be wedged out of your eye and will fall onto your hand.

3. The lens may slide over onto the white part of your eye. If this occurs, blink to re-centre the lens before trying to remove it again.

Removing Soft Contact Lenses:

1. Look up and pull the lower lid down with your middle finger.

2. Place your index finger on the lower edge of your lens, and slide the lens down to the white of your eye.

3. Squeeze the lens lightly between your index finger and thumb and remove gently.

4. Repeat for the other eye.

Remember - practice makes perfect!