How to Wear a Contact Lens

By Erin Schreiner on December 10, 2010

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Contact lenses can help you break free from glasses.

If your vision leaves a bit to be desired, but you just don't like the look of glasses, you do have another option. Many people opt to wear contact lenses instead of glasses to get the vision correction they require. If you think that this option is the right one for you, you simply need to acquaint yourself with the art of wearing contacts.

Step 1

Have your eyes measured by your ophthalmologist. Never buy over-the-counter contacts, even for cosmetic purposes only. These contacts are not necessary ideal for your eyes, and could damage your eyes.

Step 2

Wash your hands. Use antibacterial soap to ensure optimal cleanliness and to avoid eye infections.

Step 3

Pull the stopper on your sink drain. Particularly when you first start using contacts, you may find yourself dropping the lenses frequently.

Step 4

Place the contact, right side out, on your fingertip. To determine if your lens is right side out, inspect the shape of the lens. If it forms a perfect semi-circle, the lens is right side out. Your lens will not stick to your eye if it is inside out.

Step 5

Squirt some saline solution into the contact. Place enough solution to nearly fill the lens.

Step 6

Hold your eyelids apart with the index and middle finger of your non-dominant hand. Place your index finger on the upper lid, and your middle finger on the lower to separate them.

Step 7

Press the contact firmly yet gently onto your eye. You should feel your lens take suction to your eye when applied correctly.

Step 8

Rotate your eye, allowing the contact to shift into place. As you do this, the lens will continue to adhere to the eye, forming a tight bond.

Step 9

Blink your eye. If done properly, your lens should stay in place. If it pops out when you blink, it was not properly seated on your eye.

Step 10

Try again if at first you fail. When you are new to the contact world, it may take several attempts to get your lens in place.

Step 11

Use contact lens appropriate eye drops. Apply drops whenever your eyes feel dry to moisten the eyes and reduce irritation.

Step 12

Avoid sleeping in your contacts. Unless you have contacts specifically intended for night and day wear, you should never sleep in your lenses as they do not allow your eyes to breathe properly.

Step 13

Store contacts properly between uses. Place them in a container intended for contact storing, submerging them in cleaning solution. Clean this container regularly to prevent eye infections.

About the Author

Erin Schreiner is a freelance writer and teacher who holds a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University. She has been actively freelancing since 2008. Schreiner previously worked for a London-based freelance firm. Her work appears on eHow, Trails.com and RedEnvelope. She currently teaches writing to middle school students in Ohio and works on her writing craft regularly.