Putting in and taking out soft contact lenses

For cleaning and storing your lenses, see contact lens care and cleaning. For fitting, trial lenses and aftercare, see contact lenses.

Before you start

• Wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them on a clean, lint-free towel. Soaps with added oils or fragrance can leave a film on the lens.
• Keep your fingernails short, so you do not scratch the lens or your eye.
• Always start with the same eye, so you do not mix up your right and left lenses.
• If you wear makeup, put your lenses in first, and take them out before you remove your makeup.

Check the lens is the right way out

Balance the lens on your fingertip and look at it from the side.

• Right way out: the lens forms a bowl or cup, with the edges pointing up.
• Inside out: the lens looks like a saucer or lid, with the edges turning out. Turn it the other way before it goes in.

Check for tears or damage at the same time. Do not wear a damaged lens.

Putting a lens in

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Take the lens out of its case or pack with your fingertips, not your nails. If it sticks to the case, give the case a gentle shake.
3. Rinse the lens with the solution you were given. Never use tap water.
4. Place the lens on the tip of the index or middle finger of the hand you write with, and check it is the right way out.
5. Looking in a mirror, hold your upper eyelid open with your other hand. Pull your lower eyelid down with a spare finger of the hand holding the lens.
6. Look ahead or up, and place the lens gently on your eye.
7. Let go of your eyelids slowly, close your eye and roll it around, then blink gently a few times. Check in the mirror that the lens is centred.
8. Repeat for the other eye.

If your vision is not clear or the lens does not feel right, it may be off-centre, inside out or damaged. Take it out, check it, rinse it and try again.

Taking a lens out

1. Wash and dry your hands.
2. Keep your chin down and look up. Pull your lower eyelid down with your middle finger. You can hold your upper eyelid with your other hand.
3. With your index finger, slide the lens down onto the white of your eye.
4. Gently pinch the lens off between the pads of your thumb and index finger. Never use your nails.
5. If it is a daily disposable lens, throw it away. If it is a reusable lens, clean and store it as shown in contact lens care and cleaning.

Some people find it easier to look towards their nose, slide the lens out towards the ear, and pinch it off from there. Use the method you were taught.

If a lens is stuck, moved or lost

• A lens cannot get lost behind your eye. A thin membrane stops it going any further.
• If a lens has slid off-centre, often after rubbing your eye, close the eye and gently massage the eyelid to move the lens back into place, or into the corner where it is easier to remove.
• If a lens feels stuck or dry, put in lubricating drops if you have them, wait a moment, then gently loosen the lens and take it out.
• If you drop a lens, clean it with your solution before it goes back in. Never wet a lens with saliva or water.
• If you cannot find or remove a lens, call us.

When to take your lenses out

Take your lenses out straight away, and do not put them back in, if your eye becomes red, painful, very watery or sensitive to light, if your vision becomes blurry, or if you notice a discharge. These can be signs of an eye infection. Keep a pair of glasses with your current prescription for times like these.

For a contact lens fitting, help with handling or an aftercare check, book online or call us on (03) 9702 9118.