If you’ve been wearing glasses to correct your vision, or have never needed vision correction before, trying contact lenses for the first time might seem intimidating. However, with practice, inserting, wearing, and caring for your contacts will feel like natural parts of your daily routine. Here are some tips to help you adjust to wearing contacts.

Advice for First-Time Contact Lens Wearers

How Do I Insert Them?

Relaxation is the key to putting contacts in your eyes, so begin in a position—standing or sitting—you feel the most comfortable. Practice holding your eyelid open with one hand while inserting the contact with the other. Some people prefer to look in a mirror while putting in contact lenses, but some find it easier to insert them by tilting their head back and looking at the ceiling. Don’t get frustrated—there is no one right method to insert contacts, so keep adjusting your technique until you find a way that works best for you.

How Can I Tell If They’re the Right Fit?

When you’re being examined for contacts, your eye doctor takes precise measurements of your eyeball to ensure a customized fit. Once you’ve inserted your contact lenses and blinked a few times, you should not feel them on your eyes. Contact lenses that fit well should completely cover your corneas and move very slightly when you blink. If you experience irritation or discomfort, or the contacts feel like they’re rubbing your eyes, talk to your eye doctor.

What Type of Care Do They Need?

Before handling your contacts, always wash your hands with soap and warm water, and dry your hands on a clean microfiber towel to avoid getting lint on your lenses. Sleeping with your contacts in can put you at risk for a painful eye infection, so always take them out when you go to bed at night or lie down for a nap. Use an appropriate solution to keep your contacts moist—never moisten them with tap water or saliva, as these could expose your eyes to harmful bacteria.

If you’re interested in getting contact lenses, but you’re unsure how to insert them, the caring team at Jamison Eye Care in Rochester, NY, can help. Dr. Michele Jamison is a board-certified ophthalmologist who provides testing and treatment for glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as routine eye exams for glasses and contact lenses. Call (585) 225-5883 to schedule an appointment or visit the website to learn about their services.