Millions of people wear contact lenses every day. They’re a safe and convenient way to correct the most common vision problems.
They are ideal for sports and outdoor activities, or when you just don’t want to wear glasses. Kids as young as 8 can wear contact lenses if disciplined enough to use them properly.
If you’re a beginner at wearing contact lenses, here’s everything you need to know.
Different Types of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses come in different materials:
Soft contact lenses
They are made of a soft and breathable material and are very comfortable to use. They come in the most common prescriptions. Soft contact lenses are available as:
- Daily disposables
- Bi-weekly disposables
- Monthly disposables
Hard contact lenses
These are the Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses, made from a harder material, which makes them initially harder to get used to.
These lenses are custom-made for the most comfortable fit, usually for people with complicated or unusual prescriptions.
Contact lenses come in different strengths:
- Spherical (for nearsightedness or farsightedness)
- Torical (for astigmatism)
- Multifocal (if you need correction for near and far vision)
Colored contact lenses: If you want to change your appearance lots of brands carry colored lenses nowadays, with or without prescription strengths.
How to Choose the Right Lenses for You
If you have never used contact lenses before, you should see your eye doctor first for a comprehensive eye exam. You will receive an up-to-date prescription and check if you’re a good candidate for contact lenses.
Remember, your contact lens prescription is different from your glasses prescription.
The right size and curvature of the contact lenses will be determined for the most comfortable fit.
How To Put In And Remove Contact Lenses
How to put in contact lenses
- Always wash your hands with soap and water and dry them with a towel before handling contact lenses.
- Next, remove the lens from its case and place it on the tip of your index finger, ensuring the lens has a perfect bowl shape
- Use 2 fingers of your other hand to simultaneously pull up your upper and pull down your lower eyelid.
- Next, set the lens onto your cornea.
- Look down or blink a couple of times, and your lens will automatically settle in the right place.
- Repeat with the opposite eye.
How to remove contact lenses
- To remove the lens, use 2 fingers from 1 hand to simultaneously pull up your upper and pull down your lower eyelid.
- Use the index finger and thumb of your other hand to gently grab the contact lens and pull it from your eye
- When your lenses are daily disposables, throw them away. For all other lenses, store them in a clean case with a cleaning solution to prevent contamination.
- Always take out your contacts at night
How To Clean And Store Your Contact Lenses
Except for daily disposable lenses, all other lenses have to be cleaned regularly.
- Put your lens in the palm of your hand and pour the solution on it. Gently rub the lens with your finger.
- Place the lens on the top of your index finger and rinse both sides with some solution.
- Put the lens in its case filled with solution. The lens should be submerged in the solution. Never reuse contact lens solutions.
- Close the lens case.
- When wearing your contacts, airdry the case facing up.
When You Need To See Your Eye Doctor
Taking proper care of your contact lenses is very important to prevent eye infections.
If you are a contact lens wearer, remove your contacts and visit your ophthalmologist when you have any of the following symptoms:
- Your eye is red
- Your eye is painful
- You are sensitive to light
- You have discharge from your eye
- You have blurry vision
- Your eye feels scratchy
Have trouble reading this text? Take a proactive approach to your vision care and see an eye specialist today
Every patient deserves top-quality eye care. European Eye Center focuses on providing Western-standard services and determining appropriate treatment plans to help patients restore their vision in a feel-like-home atmosphere.
We are happy to help if you have any questions about contact lenses or any other questions about our services. Don’t hesitate to connect with us at appointment@europeaneyecenter.com
Contact us today to schedule an eye care service!
