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Original poster

If you use monthly contact lenses please give me your tips for putting the buggers in!

20 replies

SleepWarrior · 03/09/2019 15:56

I have just got monthlies. I had a looong 'learn to put them in' session during which I managed it once and them walked out wearing them. Now I can't replicate it for love nor money . My eyes are really flickery and jumpy and don't seem to open wide enough (obviously they actually do, but it really doesn't seem like it!), and I can't really remember how I did it before, much to my frustration.

Did anyone else struggle and go on to figure it out, and if so what helped you? Tips, YouTube tutorials that helped etc would be massively appreciated!

OP posts:

underneaththeash · 03/09/2019 15:59

Just go back. There are some alternative methods and they’d be happy to show you.

Daffodil2018 · 03/09/2019 16:04

Here is what I do:

Put my right hand middle finger tip into the lens so that it sucks on to the end
Use left hand thumb and forefinger to take it off and turn it round the other way so that it is now sitting upright on the tip of RH middle finger
Use left hand to pull upper eyelid up (I do this from above)
Gently put the lens towards my eye until it is so close that it sort of gets sucked on to the eyeball

This way nothing has to touch your eye except the lens.

UpToonGirl · 03/09/2019 16:05

When I had a contacts 'lesson' they told me to do it in a really complicated way - taking one arm over my head and pulling the lid up that way...don't do that if that's what they told you. Easiest way I've found is using one hand (my left - I'm a rightie tho) hold it near your eye and use your index finger to push your lid up and your middle finger for pulling down, then you just use a finger from your other hand to place the contact on your eye.

Takes a little practice but once you've the hang of it, takes 15 seconds.

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Oopsinamechangedagain2020 · 03/09/2019 16:08

I sit at my dressing table, tilt my head slightly down and look up (with my eyeballs). I then hold my lower lid down with my left index finger and put the lense on my eyeball below the iris with my right index finger. Then I let go of my lower lid and it slides the lense up. I blink a few times and the lense is in the right place. So much easier than trying to look directly at the lense while putting it in your eye!

MulticolourMophead · 03/09/2019 16:17

Similar to UpToonGirl, use index finger to pull upper eyelid up, middle finger to pull lower lid down, and push lens gently onto eyeball using finger on other hand. I do tilt my head down to reduce chance of lens sliding off the finger while putting it in.

Could never do it the way they show you now.

CoolCarrie · 03/09/2019 16:29

Put a clean towel on your lap or dressing table s one if you drop the lens it won’t land on the floor and you will be able to see it. Take it from me,Don’t try to put them in over a sink!

Original poster

SleepWarrior · 03/09/2019 16:43

Thanks for the tips, they all sound slightly different to what I've been doing so hopefully one of them will suit me better. Will give them a try letter when I don't have kids underfoot!

Mirrors - do you use a zoomed in one or does a regular one work?

OP posts:

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 03/09/2019 16:45

I sometimes put my arm over my head. I second using a dressing table or similar. It’s no fun grovelling around the floor for a dropped lens.

OP, it took me ages to do it when I started, like an hour or so. I tried them first at the weekend when I had more time.

TreacherousPissFlap · 03/09/2019 16:47

It's just practice
I can put in and take mine out without a mirror, in about 3 seconds per eye, but I have been wearing them for about 20 years (not the same pair!

RatherBeRiding · 03/09/2019 16:54

Yes it's practice. Been wearing monthlies for decades. I always put them in over a sink but keep the plug in! More than one has disappeared down the plughole!

I am right handed so use tip of middle finger of right hand to pick up lens (and I always like a lot of lens solution on it - find it harder if the lens isn't very well moistened) and use the thumb and first finger on my left hand on the top and bottom of my eye to open it as far as possible - look straight ahead but not at anything - keep eye still - pop lens in with other hand.

Thumb on bottom eyelid and side of first finger just underneath top eyelashes.

I also don't use a mirror.

Robs20 · 03/09/2019 17:05

It is just practice :) it took me a while to get the hang of it...
I use my right middle finger to pull down/ hold the bottom of my eye. Right index finger holding contact lense. Left middle finger to hold up upper eyelid. Put contact lense on eyeball and then pull eyelid over.
I find it best to dab the liquid off (one gentle dab when I first open the packet). Too wet and it doesn’t stick to my eyeball.
Good luck!

Ronsters · 03/09/2019 17:21

I use a normal mirror. I hold my eye open with thumb and forefinger of left hand, put the lens in using the second finger of right hand, with the lens sitting on the pad of my finger. (I'm right handed, swap around if you are L handed).
I often look up when I put the lens in, so it goes on the bottom of my eye, below the iris. I find this easier and it goes into place after a couple of blinks.
I find having the lens too wet can make it harder, I shake off any excess solution.
It can take a bit of practice and even now, after years of wearing contacts, it can still be a bit fiddly at times.

Stressedoutaboutinlaws · 03/09/2019 17:26

I do left hand middle finger holding up top lid, right hand middle finger pulling down bottom lid, with lens on pointer finger on right hand and put in like that.

Can do it without a mirror, but have been doing it for 20 years so have a lot of practice!

Do you have long nails? I find it a lot more difficult if my nails are long, i keep them short for this reason.

WanderingMind · 03/09/2019 19:16

I don't use a mirror as it puts me off. I just pop the lens on my fingertip, pull my upper lid up slightly, look up and pop it straight in. Your finger does not touch the eye.

Blink and it settles bang into place.

To remove I slide the lens down to the right (or left according to which eye it is) and slide it out.

slipperq12 · 03/09/2019 19:19

Pull eye down the way look up to the roof when doing so and pop it in and blink

Original poster

SleepWarrior · 03/09/2019 22:55

Hadn't considered not using a mirror. That may actually help a lot as I did wonder if looking intently at what I'm doing I making it harder!

OP posts:

MulticolourMophead · 03/09/2019 23:51

My sight is crap, so mirrors are no good for me. I take mine out by holding the eye open in the same way I put them in, then pinching the lens and pulling out.

I've had 30 years of practice. DD uses a mirror and the arm over head method, but has dailies so not too fussed about how she gets them out.

PanamaPattie · 03/09/2019 23:58

If you keep your mouth open when you put your lenses in, you won't blink.

CoolCarrie · 04/09/2019 10:45

I don’t use a mirror either.

Sgtmajormummy · 04/09/2019 10:58

You haven’t said if they’re soft or semi/rigid monthlies.
I’m presuming soft.
Your eyes need to be wide open so you can plop that big lens onto the iris. Then close your eye and “look” left to right a few times. That squeezes any air out. Give yourself 10 minutes for your sight to adjust. Certainly don’t rush out and start driving, for example.

Eye drops will help with dryness and if you have ANY discomfort, take them out (eye drops to lubricate and pinch off) and start again.

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