Precautions and warnings to be aware of while wearing contact lenses

Before wearing contact lenses, the wearer should prepare as follows:

1. Wash hands thoroughly with mild soap and dry them before touching the lenses.
2. Do not use makeup, creams, or lotions before inserting lenses. If necessary, put in the lenses first and then apply makeup.
3. While wearing contact lenses, try to close your eyes when using hair spray or powder-based makeup.
4. Consult an optometrist if planning to wear lenses during certain activities such as sports.
5. Do not wear lenses that have expired.
6. Do not use lenses from damaged or previously opened packaging.

 

Steps for putting on contact lenses

1. Before inserting the lens, clean it with a cleaning solution to remove any dirt, protein buildup, or leftover tears on the lens. Then, using your fingertips, lift the lens to eye level.
2. With the index finger of your other hand, pull down the lower eyelid and raise the upper eyelid.
3. Slowly place the lens onto the eye. Once the lens is in place, blink once to adjust it. You may also use the opposite hand to pull down the lower eyelid while inserting the lens, depending on your preference.
4. Repeat the process for the other eye.

 

If you feel that the inserted lens is blurry or uncomfortable, what should you do?

1. Check to see if the lens is centered on your eye. If not, adjust it with clean fingers.
2. Check to see if you've accidentally flipped the lens over. The flipped lens will have a much greater curvature than the correct side (please see the illustration).
3. The lens may be blurry due to oil or makeup residue on the lens. Clean the lens and try inserting it again.
4. If the lens is only blurry sometimes, observe if there are any environmental factors causing dryness in your eyes, such as long periods of computer use, air conditioning, or wind. If so, use eye drops to alleviate the dryness.

 

Steps to properly remove contact lenses:

1. Before removing the lenses, wash both hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.
2. Look straight ahead to center the lens in your eye. Then, use your index finger from each hand to gently pull the upper and lower edges of your eye.
3. Look in one direction and slowly slide the lens toward the white part of your eye. Then, use your index finger and thumb from the hand that feels most comfortable to remove the lens.
4. After removing the lenses, clean them with a contact lens solution and soak them for future use.

 

How to clean lenses

1. After removing the lens, place it on the palm of your hand and drop about 2-3 drops of lens cleaning solution onto the lens. Use your finger to gently press down in the center of the lens and then rub in a circular motion towards the outer edges (do not rub back and forth, as this can cause the lens to be damaged). Flip the lens over and repeat the process, rubbing the lens for about 20-30 seconds. Even if using a no-rub lens cleaning solution, rubbing the lens helps to make it even cleaner and reduce the risk of infections on the eye. Then, spray the cleaning solution onto both sides of the lens.

 

2. Once the lens is cleaned, place it in a clean case and fill it with lens cleaning solution until the lens is completely submerged. Close the lid tightly and let it soak for at least 4 hours (depending on the type of solution used, some may require soaking for at least 6 hours).
3. Before inserting the lens, it should be rinsed with lens cleaning solution again. For those who are allergic to lens cleaning solution, normal saline can be used to rinse the lens before inserting it into the eye. However, normal saline should not be used for soaking the lens, as it only rinses away dirt and does not kill bacteria.
4. If the eye becomes red or irritated after inserting the lens, remove the lens and clean it again. Check to make sure that the lens is not inside out and that it is not damaged or torn, as these can also cause redness and irritation in the eye.
5. For those who use disposable contact lenses, it is recommended to use a strong lens cleaning solution and a protein-removing solution or saline to clean the lenses throughout their use.

 

Prohibitions and precautions while wearing contact lenses:

• • Do not wear them while sleeping and should not wear them for more than 12 hours per day.
• • Do not wear them while swimming. If necessary, use daily disposable lenses.
• • Do not exchange or share them with others.
• • Do not use tap water to rinse the lenses. Use only saline solution or lens cleaning solution.
• • Put on contact lenses before applying makeup and remove them before washing your face.
• • Wash your hands with soap every time before wearing or removing lenses.
• • If the lenses are torn or exceeded their recommended usage time, dispose of them immediately.
• • If you experience eye irritation, redness, or tearing after wearing lenses, remove them immediately.