How to Put in Contact Lenses in Meriden, Connecticut

Place the lens on the pad of your index finger on your dominant hand. The lens should rest like a small bowl, not on the very tip of your finger.

Keep your fingertip dry so the lens releases smoothly onto your eye. Make sure the lens edges form a smooth cup shape pointing upward rather than flaring outward.

With your free hand, gently pull your upper eyelid up against your brow bone. Use the middle finger of the hand holding the lens to pull down your lower lid.

Keep a firm but gentle hold on both lids to prevent blinking. Pull the lids wide enough that your lashes stay out of the way, but avoid pressing on your eyeball.

Look straight ahead or slightly upward as you bring the lens toward your eye. Some people prefer to focus on a fixed point in the mirror to reduce the urge to blink.

Keeping your gaze steady helps you place the lens accurately on the center of your eye. Avoid looking down or to the side, which makes insertion more difficult.

Bring the lens toward your eye slowly and steadily until it touches the surface. The lens will naturally adhere to the moisture on your eye.

You may feel a gentle touch, but there should be no sharp pain. If you experience discomfort, pause and check that the lens is clean and oriented correctly.

Once the lens is on your eye, slowly release your lower lid first, then your upper lid. Close your eye gently or blink slowly a few times to help the lens settle.

Avoid squeezing your eyelids tightly shut. Blink naturally to spread tears across the lens, and look in different directions to help it center.

After blinking, open your eye and check your vision. A properly positioned lens should feel comfortable and provide clear vision within moments.

If your vision remains blurry or you feel persistent discomfort, the lens may be off-center, folded, or inside out. We will cover how to fix these issues in the troubleshooting section.

Saliva and tap water both contain bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections. Use only sterile contact lens solution approved for your lens type.

Even if you run out of solution, do not use water or saliva. For daily disposables, discard the lens and open a fresh one later, and for reusable lenses keep them in a clean case filled with fresh disinfecting solution.

Proper solution and case care reduce contamination risk.

• Never top off old solution; always discard it and refill with fresh solution
• Rub and rinse reusable lenses even if your solution is labeled no-rub
• Hydrogen peroxide systems must fully neutralize before lenses touch your eye
• After removing lenses, rinse the case with solution and air-dry face down with caps off
• Replace your case every one to three months or sooner if damaged

Water and overnight wear increase infection risk significantly. Do not wear lenses while showering, swimming, or in hot tubs.

If a lens contacts water, discard a daily disposable or clean and disinfect a reusable lens before wearing it again. Do not sleep in lenses unless your lens type is specifically approved for overnight wear and you have received clear guidance from our eye doctors.

Use only rewetting or lubricating drops that are labeled for contact lens wear. Avoid redness-relief drops unless specifically approved for use with contacts, and consider preservative-free options for frequent use.

If a drop stings or clouds your vision, remove the lens, rinse it with appropriate solution, and contact our office if the problem persists.

Most people can insert their lenses within a few days of practice, though the speed varies from person to person. Some feel comfortable after the first training session in our office, while others need a week or more to develop confidence and speed.

Be patient with yourself during the learning process. The first few attempts may feel awkward, but muscle memory develops quickly and insertion will soon feel natural.

Yes, tearing during insertion is a common reflex, especially when you are new to contact lenses. Your eyes are protecting themselves from a foreign object approaching the surface, and this reflex typically decreases as you gain experience.

If tearing is excessive or continues for more than a few weeks, mention it at your next appointment so we can check your lens fit and comfort.

Wearing contact lenses during allergy flare-ups or respiratory infections can be uncomfortable and may increase your risk of complications. We often recommend switching to eyeglasses temporarily when your eyes are red, itchy, or producing excess mucus.

Once your symptoms improve, you can usually resume contact lens wear safely. If you have chronic allergies, daily disposable lenses may be more comfortable because they do not accumulate allergens over time.

If the lens falls on a clean countertop, rinse it well with fresh solution and inspect it for damage before reinserting. A lens that falls on the floor, in the sink drain, or onto any dirty surface should be discarded if it is a daily disposable.

For a reusable lens that falls, perform a full clean-and-disinfect cycle and discard the lens if you notice any tears or warping. Never rinse a lens with tap water after it falls.

There is no medical reason to prefer one eye over the other, but we suggest choosing a consistent routine to avoid mixing up your lenses. Many people start with their dominant eye or simply pick right or left and stick with that order every time.

Developing a habit reduces the chance of placing the wrong lens in each eye, which is especially important if your prescriptions differ between eyes.

No. Rigid gas permeable lenses and scleral lenses require different handling, solutions, and sometimes insertion tools or plungers.

The steps outlined here apply to soft contact lenses only. Follow the specific insertion and care routine provided for your lens type to ensure safety and comfort.