New To Contact Lenses? Here Are Our Top 5 Tips!

For an estimated 56 million North Americans, contact lenses are the preferred form of vision correction. So if you've just started wearing contact lenses — you're in good company.

Advice About Contact Lenses from Grove City Eye Doctor

Here are 5 tips to quickly help you adjust to wearing and caring for your new lenses so you can enjoy the many benefits they offer.

1. Learn How to Tell if Your Contact Lens Is Inside Out

This is a common mistake many beginners make when inserting soft contacts. Place the lens on your index fingertip and look carefully at its shape. The edge of the lens should be pointing upwards, like the rim of a teacup. If the edge is flared outward like a blooming flower, the lens is inside out.

2. Never Use a Substitute for Contact Lens Solution

Your eye doctor will recommend the appropriate contact lens solution to suit your eyes and lenses. Even if you run out of contact lens solution, don't be tempted to rinse your lenses with water, and never use saliva to moisten or clean them. Using substances other than the recommended solution to rinse or rewet your contacts can introduce harmful microbes to the eye and cause a serious infection.

3. If Your Contact Lenses Feel Uncomfortable, Take Them Out!

Some newcomers mistakenly think that if their contacts feel uncomfortable or gritty, they simply need to "get used to them." Contact lenses are supposed to be comfortable, so if you are experiencing discomfort there may be something wrong. With clean fingers, remove your contacts and rinse them with solution or rewetting drops.

4. Wear Contact Lens-Friendly Makeup

Wearing makeup around the eyes can be a source of irritation and infection. Choose hypoallergenic, water-based formula makeup. Keep your eye closed during application to avoid makeup particles entering your eye. Don't apply eyeliner or eyeshadow to the inner rims of your eyelids. Replace eye makeup at least once every 3 months.

5. Stick to the Hygiene Guidelines

We can't emphasize this enough — always thoroughly wash and dry your hands before handling your contact lenses. Try to avoid washing your hands with oily or heavily scented hand soaps, as they tend to cling to the surface of the lens and could irritate the eye.

Bonus Tip: Get an Eye Exam

While all this advice can be very helpful, it doesn't replace an in-person exam with your eye doctor. If you are new to contact lenses (or not!) and have any questions or concerns about your eyes or vision, call (614) 875-8373. Grove City Vision Center will be happy to schedule you for a contact lens exam and fitting.