Tips for contact lens wearers

Many people wearing contact lenses for the first time, and even some experienced contact lens wearers, have practical questions about wearing contact lenses.

Here are a few quick tips to help you with everyday contact lens problems:

1. Is my contact lens upside down?

Sometimes it's hard to tell if you're holding soft contact lenses upside down.

This can be determined by placing the lens on your finger like a small cup. Then hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes so that you are looking into the bowl.

If the lens forms a "U" with the edges sticking out, then the lens is upside down. If you are forming a normal "U", hold them the right way up.

If you are wearing lenses with a handling tint, you can place the lens on the tip of your finger and view it from above. The edge of a tinted lens should appear very blue (or green, depending on the tint); this is not the case if the lens is misaligned.

Some contact lenses also have a laser marking for your orientation, such as z. B. The brand name on the edge. If you can read it correctly, the lens is lying correctly.

Don't worry if you put a contact lens in your eye upside down. The lens will feel uncomfortable, but it usually won't do any damage to your eye.

2. Inserting your contact lenses

Always wash your hands thoroughly before inserting your contact lenses. Avoid soaps that are scented or contain lanolin and moisturizing lotions that can stick to your lenses.

And always start with the same eye so you always know which lens belongs in which eye.

Other basic rules for using contact lenses include:

Gently shake the storage solution container to loosen the contact lens, in case it is stuck. (Do not try to pull on the lens with your finger, as you may damage it.).

Slide the lens out of the case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse them thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution.

Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle finger, which should be dry or at least mostly dry.

Using the fingers and thumb of your other hand, pull the upper lid up and the lower lid down at the same time.

Position the lens on your eye while looking up or forward, whichever is easier for you. You can also insert the contact lens by placing it on the white part of the eye towards your ears.

Gently close your eye, roll your eyes in a complete circle to allow the lens to settle, and then blink.

Look in the mirror to make sure the lens is in the center of your eye. If this is the case, the lens should fit comfortably, and your vision should be clear.

3. Removing your contact lenses

Always wash your hands before removing contact lenses. If you are standing in front of a sink, use a clean paper towel to cover the drain where the contact lens might accidentally fall in.

To remove soft contact lenses, look up or to the side while pulling down on your lower eyelid. Gently maneuver the lens onto the white of your eye with a finger. There you can very gently squeeze the lens with your index finger and thumb and lift it off your eye.

Until you master contact lens removal, keep your fingernails short to avoid accidental scratching and damage to your eye.

Oxygen permeable contact lenses can be removed by holding the palm of your hand outstretched, bending forward and then opening your eye wide. With one finger of the other hand, pull the skin between the upper and lower eyelids (just outside the side of the eye) outward toward the ear with the eye wide open. Blink. The contact lens should fall out and into your open palm.

For an alternative method, use a silicone product designed to remove oxygen-permeable lenses. It can be purchased online and elsewhere.

These small, flexible products have a tiny suction cup on one end. Gently touch this end of the product to the front of the oxygen permeable lens and remove it from your eye.

(Just make sure you only touch the lens with these products and not the surface of the eye.).

4. Eye make-up and contact lenses

Getting makeup in your eye is annoying. But it's even worse if you're wearing contact lenses while you do it, because the makeup can stick to your lenses or get behind your lenses instead of being rinsed directly from your eye.

Follow these tips to avoid makeup-related contact lens problems:

Always insert your contact lenses before applying makeup. And wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contact lenses so you don't stain them with oils, creams or lotions.

Use only allergen-free makeup.

Cream eye shadow is less likely to get into the eye than powder. But creams can irritate your eyes more if they get into your eyes. Choose water-based creams instead of oil-based creams.

If you prefer powder, keep your eyes closed during application. Then brush off the excess powder before opening your eyes.

Never apply eyeliner between your lashes and your eye. Always apply eyeliner just outside your lash line.

To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then remove your contact lenses, being careful not to let them come into contact with makeup. Finally, use your eye makeup remover.

Replace your eye makeup frequently – at least every three months. Don't use old eye makeup because over time bacteria gets into the product and then from there into your eyes where it can cause infection. One way to tell if your makeup is too old is if it smells funny. Don't share your eye makeup with others either.

5. Contact lenses and UV radiation

Researchers have linked ultraviolet (UV) light to the development of cataracts. Exposure to excessive UV light can also lead to a condition called photokeratitis.

This is why some contact lenses now contain a UV blocker.

You can't tell a contact lens has a UV blocker – the UV blocker is clear so it doesn't obstruct vision. The contact lens packaging will indicate if the product contains a UV blocker, or you can ask your optician about it.

Very important: contact lenses with UV blockers are not a substitute for sunglasses. A contact lens only covers their cornea, not the entire eye.

Wear relatively large sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them from UV damage. UV light blocking contact lenses provide limited additional protection to your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays.