We’ve put together a step-by-step guide for both inserting and removing soft contact lenses. If you prefer a visual demonstration, you can follow along with the videos below:
Video 1: How to Insert and Remove Soft Contact Lenses
Video 2: Contact Lens Video
How to Insert Contact Lenses
- Always wash your hands thoroughly using lotion-free soap. Rinse well to remove any excess soap, and dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
- Always insert your contact lenses over a clean paper towel. This makes it easier to locate the lens if you accidentally drop it.
(Tip: Place the paper towel over the countertop and lean forward so you’re working directly above it.)
- Place the lens on the tip of your dominant hand’s index finger.
- Carefully inspect the lens for any damage or tears.
- Ensure the lens is not inside out.
- To check, hold the lens up to a light source. If it forms a smooth, bowl-like shape, it’s correctly oriented. If the edges flare outward, it’s inside out. To fix it, gently flip the lens.
- Always start with the right lens to avoid any mix-ups.
- Using the middle finger of the hand holding the lens, gently pull down your lower eyelid.
- With a finger from your other hand, carefully lift and hold your upper eyelid.
- Look straight ahead, ideally into a mirror, and place the lens directly onto the colored part of your eye.
- Slowly move your finger away, look downward, and release your lower eyelid first, followed by your upper eyelid.
- Gently close your eyes for a moment to allow the lens to settle into place.
- Repeat the same steps to insert the lens into your other eye.
- Discard the old solution from your contact lens case. Rinse the case thoroughly with fresh multipurpose solution, then leave it open to air dry until the next use.
How To Remove Contact Lenses
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with lotion-free soap. Rinse well to remove any excess soap, and dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
- Remove your contact lenses over a clean paper towel. This helps you find the lens more easily if you drop it.
(Tip: Place the paper towel over the counter and lean forward so that you’re working over it) - Always start with your right lens to avoid mix-ups.
- If your eyes feel dry, use a few rewetting drops to lubricate them before attempting to remove the lens.
- Using the middle finger of your dominant hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid.
- With a finger from your other hand, lift and hold your upper eyelid.
- Look straight ahead into a mirror. Place the index finger of your dominant hand on the side of the lens and gently drag it toward your ear while looking toward your nose. Then, carefully pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger to remove it.
- To clean the lens, place it in the palm of your opposite hand. Apply a few drops of multipurpose solution and gently scrub the lens with your fingertip in all directions for about one minute.
- Place the lens in the appropriate contact lens case and fill it with multipurpose solution up to the indicated fill line.
- Repeat the same steps to remove the other lens.
- Depending on the type of multipurpose solution used, allow the contact lenses to soak clean and disinfect thoroughly for 6 to 8 hours.
