Gas Permeable Lens Insertion and Removal

How do I put my lenses in?

Never handle your contact lenses without first washing your hands carefully with plain soap and water. Avoid using soaps that contain deodorants, fragrances, or oils. These substances can get on your lenses and cause eye irritation.

Always starting with the right lens helps you get each lens in the correct eye. Slide the lens out of the lens case and hold it between your fingers. Put a drop of fresh wetting solution on the lens. Place the lens on the tip of your index or middle finger facing up (like a bowl).

Using your opposite hand, pull your upper eyelid open by grasping it near your lashes. Then pull your lower eyelid down. (Or you can hold your upper eyelid up with your index finger and your lower eyelid down with your middle finger.) Bend over and look straight ahead, as if you were looking beyond the finger holding the lens. Then touch the lens to your eye. Let go of your lower lid then your upper lid. Repeat with the left lens.

How do I take my lenses out?

Wash your hands before you take your lenses out. Again, start with your right lens.

The most common way to remove gas permeable lenses is the stare-pull-blink method. To take your right lens out, hold your left hand under your eye and bend forward. Open your eye as wide as you can. Then use your right index finger to pull the skin at the outside corner of your eye firmly up and out, then blink. The lens should fall into your left hand. For your left lens, switch hands. The lens falls into your right hand.

Another way to remove your lenses is with a tiny contact lens plunger. You can get one from your eye care provider. First, wet the end of the plunger. Separate your eyelids, and bring the plunger toward the center of the lens. Gently touch the plunger to the lens and pull it away. Be careful not to let the plunger touch the eyeball itself. To get the lens off the plunger, twist the plunger one way and the lens the other way.

A third way to remove gas permeable lenses is to put one finger along your lower lash line and one finger from the other hand along the upper lash line. Don't press so hard that the edge of the eyelid turns out. Bend forward over a counter or table covered with a clean towel. With a scissor-like motion, slide your lids together, catching the edge of the lens. The lens should come out and land on the towel.

Sometimes your lens may move out of position. Remember that it is impossible for the lens to go behind your eye. Often you can feel where the lens is on the white part (sclera) of your eye. You can also use a mirror and look for the lens. When you find it, close your eye and press gently on the edge of the lens through your eyelid, sliding the lens back into position on your eye. Don't try to touch the lens directly because you might scratch your eye. Work through your closed eyelid only.

If you can't find the lens, it may have fallen out without your knowing it.

What should I do if I have trouble?

If you need help, see your eye care provider.