Buzz
Wearing contact lenses for the first time may seem challenging, even a little intimidating, but don't worry. With a little practice, you'll find that it's quite easy and straightforward. To insert your contact lenses, make sure to pull your eyelids open to allow you to place the lenses more easily. Follow the same steps when removing them. Also, always ensure you use the lenses properly to maintain eye health.
Steps
Insert the contact lenses into your eyes
Wash your hands with warm water and unscented soap. Wet your hands and rub the soap for at least 30 seconds. Make sure to rinse your hands thoroughly to remove all soap. Use a clean microfiber towel to dry your hands, avoiding any lint that could transfer to the lenses.
- Always use a clean, dry towel to dry your hands.
- A microfiber towel is the best choice as it leaves no lint or fibers on your hands, which could then stick to your contact lenses. If a microfiber towel is unavailable, allow your hands to air dry, especially if you have sensitive eyes.
Open one side of the contact lens case lid. Only open one side of the case at a time to avoid mixing up or accidentally damaging the lenses. Make a habit of always starting with the same eye. For example, you could start with your right eye, then move on to your left eye.
Use your fingertip to gently slide the lens out of the case. Tilt the case towards you, then lightly press your fingertip on top of the lens, slowly lifting it out and placing it in your palm.
- Never use your nails to remove the lens, as they may damage it.
- Be extra cautious with contact lenses, as they are delicate and can be easily harmed.
Tip: If the lens sticks to the case, just give the case a gentle shake to release it. You can also spray a little solution onto the lens to help loosen it.
Rinse the lens with contact lens solution. Place the lens in the palm of your hand and spray the solution onto it. Inspect the lens with your eyes to ensure no debris is stuck to it. You don’t need to rub the lens unless you see something on it.
- If you notice any particles on the lens, spray more solution and gently rub with your fingertip to remove them.
- Only use specialized contact lens solution for cleaning. Never use tap water.
Place the contact lens onto the tip of your index finger. Put the lens on the soft pad of your finger, not on the nail. Make sure the concave side of the lens is facing up and that the edges don’t touch your finger. The lens should resemble a tiny bowl at this point.
- If the edges of the lens flare out, it means it’s inside out. Simply return it to your palm and use your fingertip to gently flip it back to the correct side.
Use your middle finger and the other hand to hold your eye open, if needed. Look into the mirror and use the middle finger of the hand holding the lens to pull down your lower eyelid. If your eye is sensitive, you may need to hold the upper eyelid as well. With your other hand, gently pull and hold the upper eyelid to prevent blinking. This will keep your eye wide open and make it easier to place the lens on your eye.
- You only need to hold the upper eyelid if your eyes keep blinking or if they are small. This is normal when wearing contact lenses for the first time, as you're not yet accustomed to putting something in your eye. Over time, you may no longer need to hold the upper eyelid.
Slowly bring the lens toward your eye in a smooth motion. Try to avoid blinking or making jerky movements. Looking upward can help avoid reflex blinking. Also, don’t focus too much on the eye with the lens to help prevent blinking.
Gently place the lens on the cornea of your eye. Position the lens close to the cornea and press lightly. The lens will adhere to your eye easily due to the moisture. Once in place, remove your finger.
- The lens should sit on the colored part of your eye (the iris). Try to place it directly on this area if possible.
Alternative method: If your eyes keep blinking, try looking upward and place the lens on the white of your eye. Keep your eye open and move your gaze down toward the lens, then gently lift the upper eyelid and place it on the lens. Finally, press gently on the eyelid to release any air bubbles so the lens stays securely in place.
Release the eyelid and blink slowly until you feel comfortable. Blink slowly several times, being careful not to dislodge the lens. Look in the mirror to check if the lens is in place and if you can see clearly. Pay attention to any discomfort or pain in your eye. You should feel comfortable.
- If you feel itching or pain, remove the lens and rinse it with contact lens solution, then try putting it back on.
Repeat the same procedure for the other eye. Once you have put the lenses in both eyes, look around to check if your vision is clear. Pour the solution from the lens case into the sink, clean the case, and close the lid.
- Never reuse old solution, as it increases the risk of eye infections. Always use fresh solution.
Remove the contact lenses
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Wet your hands with warm water, then scrub with soap for 30 seconds. Wash your hands well, then dry them using a microfiber towel.
- Try not to let any fabric fibers from the towel stick to your hands.
- Ensure the towel is clean and dry.
Moisturize your eyes with a contact lens-safe eye drop if your eyes feel dry. This step is optional, but it can help if the lenses feel dry in your eyes. The eye drops will hydrate the lenses and make them easier to remove. Apply 2-3 drops to moisten your eyes.
- Check the eye drop label to ensure it is a lubricating and hydrating solution suitable for contact lenses. If not, do not use it as it may damage the lenses.
- If you don't have lubricating drops, you can use saline solution to moisten your eyes. Avoid using contact lens cleaning solution, as it can dry and irritate your eyes.
Use your finger to pull down your lower eyelid. Use your middle finger to gently open the lower part of the white of your eye. Keep the eyelid steady while removing the contact lens.
- If the lens has shifted out of place before removal, blink a few times to reposition the lens back to the center of your pupil.
Chạm ngón tay trỏ vào tròng kính và trượt nó xuống. Dùng phần đệm thịt của ngón tay chạm nhẹ vào mép của kính sát tròng để nó dính vào ngón tay, sau đó từ từ kéo xuống phần dưới của mắt. Bạn sẽ thấy tròng kính bắt đầu gấp vào khi chạm đến viền mí mắt dưới.
Bóp ngón trỏ và ngón cái xung quanh tròng kính để tháo ra. Ấn nhẹ hai ngón tay quanh tròng kính và lấy ra khỏi mắt. Cẩn thận khi cầm kính sát tròng để không vô ý làm rách hoặc xước kính.
- Luôn luôn dùng phần đệm thịt của ngón tay khi chạm vào kính sát tròng. Móng tay có thể làm hư hại tròng kính.
Đặt tròng kính vào lòng bàn tay và rửa sạch. Đặt tròng kính ngửa lên trong lòng bàn tay, sau đó xịt dung dịch rửa kính sát tròng vào tròng kính. Xoa nhẹ từng mặt kính để rửa sạch, cuối cùng rửa lại lần nữa để loại bỏ mọi bụi bẩn còn lại.
- Vứt bỏ tròng kính đã cũ hoặc hư hại.
Bỏ kính sát tròng vào hộp và cho thêm dung dịch mới vào. Nhẹ nhàng thả tròng kính vào hộp, sau đó rót dung dịch mới vào hộp. Đóng nắp hộp để bảo quản tròng kính.
- Nhớ cất tròng kính đúng bên của hộp đựng kính.
- Không dùng dung dịch cũ. Đảm bảo dùng dung dịch mới mỗi lần cất tròng kính.
Lặp lại quy trình trên để tháo tròng kính bên kia. Nhẹ nhàng kéo mí mắt dưới xuống và tháo tròng kính bên kia. Rửa sạch bằng dung dịch ngâm rửa kính sát tròng, sau đó đặt vào đúng bên của hộp đựng kính. Rót dung dịch vào hộp và vặn chặt nắp.
Advice: It's essential to take proper care of your contact lenses by cleaning them daily and storing them in fresh solution. Your eye health is crucial, so don't be careless.
Maintain good habits
Before wearing your contact lenses, check to ensure that they aren't scratched, torn, or have debris on the lens. You wouldn’t want to put a potentially irritating lens into your eye. Hold the lens close to your eye and inspect it for any damage or dirt.
- If the lens seems damaged, discard it and use a new one.
- If you notice dust or debris on the lens, clean it thoroughly using contact lens cleaning solution.
Change your contact lenses according to your doctor's recommendations. Most contact lenses are designed for short-term use, meaning you will need to replace them regularly. Depending on the type and brand, you may need to change lenses daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Always follow the prescribed replacement schedule. This will help keep your eyes healthy.
- Soft contact lenses can typically be replaced daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Overnight lenses can be worn while sleeping and are usually replaced weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on the brand and personal needs. Rigid lenses are more durable and can last up to a year. However, your doctor may provide additional guidance on maintaining these less commonly prescribed lenses.
- Don't try to save money by wearing your contact lenses too long. Lenses are designed for use within a specific timeframe. After that period, they begin to lose their comfort, may accumulate bacteria, germs, or harmful particles that can damage your eyes.
Only wear contact lenses while sleeping if your doctor approves. Removing your contact lenses each night may seem inconvenient, but it’s vital. Sleeping with lenses not designed for overnight use can result in dry eyes, increased exposure to bacteria, and lead to severe complications like ulcers. Always remove your lenses before sleeping unless your doctor confirms that overnight wear is safe.
- If your eyes are dry, you likely can't sleep with contact lenses, even those meant for overnight wear. Inform your doctor if you think your eyes are too dry.
Clean the contact lens case or replace it every 3 months. Over time, a contact lens case will accumulate dirt. To clean it, boil a pot of water and place the contact lens case in the hot water, leaving it in for at least 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, use tongs or a spoon with holes to take the case out, and let it cool before handling. Finally, rinse with saline solution before reuse.
- Replacing the contact lens case is the safest option.
Warning: If the contact lens case appears cracked or damaged, replace it immediately, no matter how long you've been using it. A cracked or damaged lens case increases the risk of infection.
Avoid using saliva or tap water to clean your lenses. Never put your contact lenses in your mouth to clean them, as this introduces bacteria and germs. Saliva is not sterile, and it can contaminate your lenses. Similarly, tap water is not sterile, and any bacteria or chemicals in it can cling to your lenses. Additionally, both saliva and tap water can dry out your lenses. Always clean your contact lenses with a proper cleaning solution.
- Carrying a bottle of contact lens solution while on the go is useful. You might even find travel-sized bottles that fit easily into your bag.
Use eye drops designed for contact lenses. Most eye drops can dry out contact lenses, even those labeled for dry eyes. If you want to hydrate your eyes while wearing contact lenses, check the label to ensure they are safe for use with contacts.
- Eye drops safe for contact lenses are often found next to contact lens cleaning solutions at pharmacies. You can also purchase these online.
Remove contact lenses before showering. Contact lenses can easily get damaged while showering because tap water and soap foam may get into your lenses. This can dry out your lenses and leave residue and harmful bacteria behind. Always remove your contact lenses before taking a bath or shower to avoid damaging them.
- If you wear contact lenses while showering, you may risk eye infections.
Tránh đi bơi hoặc tắm bồn nước nóng khi đeo kính sát tròng. Hồ bơi, sông hồ tự nhiên và bồn tắm nước nóng có chứa vi khuẩn, mầm bệnh, đôi khi có cả hoá chất. Nước có thể bắn vào mắt và kính sát tròng, làm hư hại hoặc ô nhiễm kính. Điều này có thể dẫn đến kich ứng mắt hoặc nhiễm trùng mắt. Hãy tháo kính sát tròng ra trước khi vào nước và thay bằng kính có gọng.
- Kính sát tròng sau khi đã đeo khi bơi sẽ không còn an toàn để đeo lại, ngay cả sau khi đã được rửa sạch.
Dự phòng một cặp kính có gọng đúng độ theo toa thuốc hiện tại. Bạn có thể đeo kính sát tròng trong phần lớn thời gian, nhưng cũng cần một cặp kính có gọng dự phòng khi không đeo kính sát tròng. Bạn nên đeo kính có gọng vào buổi tối để cho mắt được nghỉ. Ngoài ra, bạn cũng cần đeo kính có gọng nếu mắt bị kích ứng hoặc viêm.
- Đến gặp bác sĩ nếu bạn nghi ngờ mắt bị nhiễm trùng.
- Nếu ngại chi phí mua kính dự phòng có gọng, bạn hãy tìm các lựa chọn tiết kiệm. Ví dụ, bạn có thể mua kính trên mạng với giá chỉ 150.000 đồng. Bạn chỉ cần nhờ bác sĩ viết toa kính thuốc và ghi số PD (khoảng cách giữa hai đồng tử) để mua kính.
Lời khuyên
- Hầu như ai cũng khó khăn khi đeo kính sát tròng lần đầu, thế nên nếu bạn phải chật vật khi đeo kính thì cũng đừng lo. Nếu bắt đầu thấy bực bội, bạn hãy nghỉ một chút để bình tĩnh và thử lại.
- Lần đầu tiên đeo kính sát tròng, bạn sẽ có cảm giác hơi lạ, nhưng điều này là hoàn toàn bình thường.
- Nếu tròng kính rơi ra khỏi mắt, bạn hãy rửa lại thật sạch bằng dung dịch rửa kính sát tròng.
- Đảm bảo ngón tay phải khô và kính sát tròng phải ướt. Như vậy tròng kính sẽ không dính vào ngón tay khi bạn đeo kính vào mắt.
- Nói với bác sĩ nếu bạn cảm thấy kính sát tròng không vừa với mắt. Bác sĩ có thể cho bạn dùng nhãn hiệu khác.
Cảnh báo
- Never wash your hands with hand sanitizer before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Hand sanitizer cannot replace washing with water and soap in this case.
- If you experience eye pain or discomfort even after removing your contact lenses, consult an optometrist.
- If your eyes feel gritty, irritated, or red, do not wear contact lenses. Instead, wear glasses and see a doctor.
- Put your contact lenses in before applying makeup to avoid contaminating your lenses. At the end of the day, remove your lenses before removing your makeup.
What You Will Need
- Mirror
- Contact lenses
- Contact lens cleaning solution
- Contact lens case
- Eye drops for itching
