The decision to wear contact lenses for the first time can be a significant one, and a bit daunting too. For one thing, if you’ve never used contact lenses you (probably) don’t have a lot of experience with touching your eyes. Whether you’re making the switch from glasses or going straight to contact lenses, it can have hugely beneficial effects on your life.
To make the change go more smoothly, there are a few things new contact lenses users should consider. Lens application and removal technique, lens design and wearing routine will all factor into having a comfortable transition to contacts.
Technique: How To Wear Contact Lenses
Wash And Dry Your Hands
Before we get to exactly how to put in contact lenses for the first time, there’s one very important first step — washing and drying your hands. This might seem obvious, but poor hand hygiene is one of the main ways that eye infections can occur.
Pick Up Your Lens
First of all, follow our easy pack opening and lens removal technique in this 10 second video:
Start by placing the lens on your fingertip (the material and solution will help it to stick). Make sure you have the lens the correct way around. It should look like a cup-shape; if the edges are curling out it’s likely facing the wrong way.
Hold Your Eye Open
Gently hold open your upper and lower lid with the hand that isn’t holding the contact lens.
Put The Lens On Your Eye
It can be helpful to look up away from the lens. Once it’s resting against your eye, gently blink while the contact settles into place. Repeat these steps for your other eye.
Removing Your Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are designed to sit centrally on the eye gently moving the lens off centre is the key to successful lens removal. Once you’ve washed and dried your hands, hold open your eyelids as before. Using the thumb and forefinger of your other hand gently pinch the edge of the lens. Look up as you slide the lens away from the bridge of your nose and it should then easily be removed.
With practice you’ll naturally learn how to remove contact lenses without pinching — sliding the lens until the slight groove lets you may find you prefer sliding the lens with the soft pad of your finger away from the bride of your nose. However, pinching is typically the easiest way for beginners.
Routine: Practice Makes Perfect
As with any new skill, practising the application and removal of your lenses frequently is the best way to ensure you master it.
daysoft® Lens Design and Material
Hydrogel Lenses
Hydrogel lenses manufactured by daysoft® are made of a gel-like material containing 58% water and are gentle on the eye providing all day comfort. Our Soft-Edge design gives our lenses a smoother, less rigid edge than even traditional hydrogel lenses.
Choose between daysoft® SILK lenses, which provide enhanced comfort and moisturisation, or daysoft® CLASSIC lenses, which may more suited to allergy sufferers and those with sensitive eyes.
How long should you wear contact lenses for the first time?
Unless your optician says otherwise, you should aim for about 8 hours wear on your first day. It can take nearly two weeks for eyes to get used to lenses.
Daily disposable contact lenses from daysoft® are the best way to make healthy crystal clear vision a part of your routine. By putting in fresh contacts at the start of the day and taking them out every night, it naturally becomes as easy as brushing your teeth.
First-Time Freshness
Starting out with contacts can be tricky, but the benefits certainly outweigh the drawbacks. With some practice, you’ll know how to wear contact lenses in no time.
At daysoft®, we work hard to guarantee comfort, cleanliness, and clear vision with every pair of prescription lenses. Our letterbox-friendly packaging make building a routine easy.
