Tips for People New to Contact Lenses
One of the more common things eye doctors get asked are tips for patients new to contact lenses. This is because contacts are admittedly higher maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. Depending on your lifestyle and daily activities, contacts may be more beneficial and convenient than eyeglasses.
If you are new to contact lenses, figuring things out can be a bit intimidating. Lucky for you, we have provided helpful tips to make your transition to contacts easier.
Wash your hands.
This is the most important tip. Thoroughly wash your hands and dry them completely before putting in your contacts. This minimizes the chance of spreading germs to your eyes and helps prevent infection. It is also best to avoid fragrance-heavy and oily soaps to limit the possibility of the chemicals sticking to the lenses and your eyes.
Insert the contacts properly.
First-time wearers of contacts may have difficulty noticing whether or not a contact lens is inside out. A simple way to detect if the contact will be positioned properly in your eye is to place the lens carefully on your finger. After that, ensure the lens is open and forms the shape of a bowl. Then, hold it up to your eyes for inspection.
The edges of the lens should be smooth and should not flip out or form a lip. If you place the lens in improperly, it will not damage your eye, but it will feel uncomfortable. If you happen to do this, remove the contact, gently flip, rinse, and reinsert it.
Adhere to lens replacement schedules.
Avoid the urge to wear your contacts past the recommended time frame. Daily disposable contacts may still feel fresh after 24 hours, but it is essential to dispose of the lenses as instructed. Going beyond the limits of your contacts can cause discomfort to your eyes and increase the risk of infection.
Keep lenses clean. 
For contacts that can be used more than 24 hours, properly caring for them keeps the risks of eye infection and irritation incredibly low. Be sure to use fresh solution with every cleaning and rinse the lenses and the case. Depending on the type of contacts you’ve chosen, your optometrist will provide proper cleaning instructions.
Chill out.
Many people worry about scratching their eyes when putting in their contacts and even fear that the contacts will get stuck behind their eyes. It is normal to be a tad nervous when putting in contacts for the first time. However, if your hands are clean, there is no need to worry about touching your eyes.
In addition, the inside of your eyelid is connected to the back of your eye by a membrane that keeps things out. If the contact does roll up into the eyelid, blinking and rolling your eye will cause the contact to adjust and move to the front.
It may take a few weeks to adapt to using and caring for your contacts. Eventually, you will gain confidence in both inserting and removing them. Sticking to good habits such as keeping your hands and contacts clean will guarantee healthy eyes and good vision.
If you need to schedule an appointment for your eye exam and contacts, please call The Eye Center, with locations in Huntsville and Madison, at 256-705-3937.