To be afraid of wearing contacts? Help!

[1300cakes]

I'm sick of wearing glasses full time and I'd really like to start wearing contacts. I went to the optometrist and tried to try them, but I couldn't get them in. The optometrist also tried and couldn't. I sort of involuntarily freaked out and pushed her hand away. The thought of putting something in my eye - argh!

I'd really like to at least try them though. They seem so convenient. Has anyone else been a wuss like me, but later came to be a contacts wearer? Any tips?

It's no worse than putting on eye make up once you get used to it.

Oh dear! I forgot to mention this in OP but I can't wear eye-liner either. I can wear mascara and eye shadow but never been able to master eye-liner.

I’m thinking of trying them, but I’m scared of taking them out! Perhaps we could team up, I’ll put them in for us and you take them out?

Bahaha. Oh god getting them out. I never mentally got that far. What about if we just take turns holding each other down and shove them in?

Thanks for the tips everyone. Seems like it's normal to take at least a few months if not longer to really get the hang of it. Maybe I should just go ahead and order a six month supply, and just start trying them at home, rather than waiting until I get the hang of it in the optometrists office.

Good luck, OP! I'm very, very shortsighted and persevering with soft lenses when I was 14 changed my life. No more glasses steaming up, no rain on them, being able to see when I go swimming and in the shower...
You'll run into problems if you haven't pulled your eyelid/lashes out of the way, because the lens will fall off your finger or stick to your face. Once you've got the hang of that, a drop of solution or saline in the middle will cushion the feeling on your eye, and it almost feels refreshing. Blink, and you're done. Far easier that eyedrops if you you don't like that idea. I look up to the side when I'm doing it, so I don't see it approaching. Removal isn't hard with practice as long as you don't leave them in til they're dry or you're tired, which you should do anyway. Again, it comes with experience - I can slide mine out in a second.

I can't begin to tell you how freaked out I was when I first tried contact lenses, nearly 18 years ago,
I now wear monthly contact lenses, so only have to pop them in once a month and can sleep in them. Just have to make sure you have a day off wearing your glasses.
I wouldn't go back to glasses now, I can see the alarm clock in the morning :-)

I am in the same position as you OP - would love to try them but am so squeamish about my eyes. The replies to your post are giving me a bit of hope though so might book a trial.

I was even wondering if it might be worth looking into a couple of sessions of hypnosis to get me over the fear!

Persevere! They're great once you get the hang of them (apart from when you accidentally nap in them and your eyes dry up...).

I had a very strong blink reflex apparently so I spent a lot of time trying to get them in at the opticians. The method that works for me (don't know if this is okay from an optometrist's point of view?) is to look towards my nose, pull my lid up and place the contact onto the white of my eye - that way I can't really see the lens coming so I don't blink. Then, keeping a finger on the lens, look straight ahead and slide the lens over onto the iris.

I decided I hated glasses after 40 years wearing them .
Optician had told me in the past my eyes were too dry and I had eye infections back to back. That optician does a moonlight flit. So different practice and I try lenses, adult daughter did the same at same time. I could never get them in. I seen me spend an hour getting 1 in . I initially only wore them the hours the opticians were open in case of bother.
I changed to dailies then opticians suggested I try a type you leave in for a month at a time .
From an hour per eye , 2 mins puts them in.
I wear varifocal lenses and daughter also changed to these . We both love them.
I have rarely had an eye infection since. Use good lighting and mirrors and put a tissue or 2 over the area you use for changing.
Persevere and you will wonder how you didn't do it sooner.
Hope it works out well. If I can manage anyone can.