If you’re considering contact lenses for the first time, you probably have some questions about wearing them. Although they’re simple to use, it might take practice before you can insert and remove them easily. The following guide explains a few basic guidelines for new contact lens wearers. 

Contact Lenses FAQ for Beginners 

What’s the difference between extended-wear & daily contacts?

Daily contacts need to be replaced every day. Extended-wear contacts are swapped out according to the manufacturer's guidelines; most last for 7, 10, or 30 days. Most eye doctors recommend ‘dailies’ because they’re easier to use and less likely to cause irritation.

How do I put them in?

It should only take a few moments to insert contacts: 

1. Wash your hands.
2. Hold the contact lens on the tip of your finger; if the edges flare out, it’s probably inside-out. Flip it and see if the edges curl. If they look spherical, proceed to the next step.
3. Using one hand, carefully hold your top and bottom eyelids apart. This keeps the skin and eyelashes out of the way while you put in the contact.
4. Look up and gently put the contact on the front of your eye. Release the other hand and blink for a few seconds. 

How can I keep my contact lenses clean?

With daily contact lenses, you don’t need to clean your contacts—just throw them out after one day of use. With extended-wear contacts, you need to clean them every time you take them out.

Once you remove the contact, hold it in one hand, and rinse with a few drops of solution. Then, rinse with clean water. Between use, store them overnight in a contact case with a solution. Replace the solution every day—don’t “top it off” after it’s already been used.

Can a contact lens get stuck behind my eye?

A contact lens can't get stuck behind your eye—a thin membrane connects your eyelid to your eye, separating the front and back portions. 

However, a contact lens can flip, especially during insertion and removal. If this happens, gently remove the contact by sliding it to the side and out of your eye. The process is easy once you get used to wearing contact lenses—an optician can help you practice until you’re comfortable.

Can contact lenses correct astigmatism?

People with astigmatism have varying degrees of nearsightedness and farsightedness at different meridians in their eyes. This means they need contact lenses that have different magnifying powers and a design to keep the lenses in place.

Today, manufacturers produce toric soft contact lenses that are specially designed to treat astigmatism. They are effective but slightly more expensive than standard soft lenses.

If you have more questions about wearing contact lenses, speak with the experts at the Medical Eye Center in Columbia, MD. To schedule an appointment, call (410) 997-9900. You can also learn more about their services, including vision testing and medical exams, by visiting their website.