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Original poster

To give up on idea of Contact Lenses? How hard can it be??

51 replies

Claricethecat45 · 07/09/2019 17:39

I have used glasses for years and never really considered Lenses. At my last test and new prescription at High Street Optician, I asked for info and was told that I would get a free trial.
Well last week I went to try my new Lenses ordered in for me but not available until i 'pass the test' of putting in and taking out.
Fair enough ....but, it was awful last week and no better today.
I find the whole thing of pushing against my eye ball very sensitive and sore
I did get them in, eventually, but getting them out far harder
Sat there eyes streaming and fed up as I had to do it all in front of the optician fitter....

I have seen a few vids on line showing how to do it and it seems easier to remove by 'bunching them between fingers rather than pushing and sliding them off

Either way, I feel like giving up and wonder if anyone has felt like this but persevered and it got easier???

Im not overly happy with the person 'helping' me as they are not encouraging at all but Im a bit tied in now and can hardly go elsewhere as I have already paid for all the tests etc and this free trial is part of the pack already paid for.

I did get two new pairs of glasses so this is why I have the 'free trial ' and the offer of a months use of lenses- BUT they won't allow me the lenses to bring home and practice with and it all feels a bit of a disappointment.....is it only me???

OP posts:
eggsandwich · 07/09/2019 18:08

You must of gone to boots as my dd has just got contact lenses and she did the month free trial but she had to be able to put them in and take them out 3 times in front of a member of staff before she was allowed to take them home.

We were in there a while and to be honest she said it was easier to do when she got home and put them in and take them out as she didn’t have someone watching her.

I understand that they want to make sure that your putting them in properly but my daughter did it her way when she got home and she said it was easier than how they taught her.

Scottishgirl85 · 07/09/2019 18:09

I pinch the lense out of my eye. Thumb and index finger. Thumb stays still and index finger sweeps down. I also look up so I can't actually see my fingers, if that makes sense. They definitely don't give you them until you're accomplished at it, in case you go home and cause damage to your eye! It's something you get used to very quickly. Good luck!

Redcrayons · 07/09/2019 18:13

Pushing against your eyeball? I've been wearing them for 20 odd years and never done this. I don't understand why they Are teaching you that?

Put them in - balance on the tip of your finger. Place it on your eyeball. You don't need to push it sort of suctions itself on.
Take them out - pinch em with your fingertips so they come away from your eye.

The only time it stings is if they are inside out or I've got a bit of fluff on them.

Hanraa1 · 07/09/2019 18:19

Stick with it! My eyes were bright red, streaming and I was sick when I left (so dramatic) but now I wear them every day. It does become second nature, nothing but practice helps!

Angrybird123 · 07/09/2019 18:22

Yep, pinch8ng is the way to do it.. You have to break the vacuum. Been wearing them for years and it's much better for sports, nights out, summer (no need for ££ prescription sunglasses). Do persevere. When my dad first got them I had to drive over and take them out for him!!

Cheeserton · 07/09/2019 18:22

It does require perseverance and practice. I initially found it very difficult indeed to get over the blinking reflex and actually gain control, but these days can mess about with them until my heart's content, no problem at all. Go see someone else if you're not getting on with the current provider.

PancakeAndKeith · 07/09/2019 18:22

I used to teach people how to put in and take out contact lenses.

It’s really hard to get used to as it’s such and unnatural thing to do.
Pinching to take them out is by far the easiest thing to do.

They can’t let you take them home until they know you can take them out. What would you do if you couldn’t get them out?

FaithInfinity · 07/09/2019 18:27

Oh I had the same experience with Specsavers! It was horrible, boiling hot room, rushed appointment, told at the end I had failed my assessment. I gave up on the idea of lenses for years.

Then I moved and went to an independent optician. They were lovely and helpful! I had a full hour. They started by putting the lenses in for me so I knew how they felt. Then I practised taking them in and out. No rush. It took a while (especially after the previous stress) but I got it. To start with I couldn’t do them first thing in the morning but I got the hang of it. Now I wear them pretty much every day and have done for 15 years! I’ve stuck with the same optician, it’s slightly more expensive per month but the contact lens care I receive is worth the money.

CatFaceCats · 07/09/2019 18:27

I could never master the “pinch to remove” I kind of hold my eye open, look down and use my top eyelid to sort of pop it out.
Been wearing lenses almost daily for 20 years!

QueenofLouisiana · 07/09/2019 18:27

My first efforts took (what felt like) hours to get them in and out. I’ve worn them for about 25 years, with a few breaks for various reasons, and now it takes longer to open the cases than put them in. The longest part is hand washing.

Perseverance and getting over the idea of your finger near your eye is key.

MissDemelzaCarne · 07/09/2019 18:27

I went to Specsavers for my free trial and had to go back for a remedial lesson Blush
I could get them out ok but couldn’t get them in. I got taken back into a private room with an extremely patient woman who corrected my technique. I love them now an wouldn’t go back.

underneaththeash · 07/09/2019 18:29

It takes many people a couple of goes.
Trick is dry finger, wet lens.

Yes, we can't let you take them home to practice in case you can't get them out!

dontcallmeduck · 07/09/2019 18:30

Putting them in I place one finger on lower eyelid to gently pull it down, place finger with lens on near eyeball and suction sorts it out. Removing I open my eye wide then place light pressure on lids and push together and lids remove lens rather than my fingers. I cannot touch my eye as it freaks me out! But been wearing contacts for 20 years with this method

badgermushrooms · 07/09/2019 18:31

It takes a while to get used to and it doesn't help that the longer you try the more irritated your eye gets and the harder it is.

You definitely shouldn't be pushing on your eyeball though - you just place it on, and as long as you've not caught it on an eyelid it will just sort of cling on. I find it easier to look up and come in from below so that I don't get the urge to blink. It'll move around on your eyeball so that it ends up in the right place.

Kannet · 07/09/2019 18:32

Are they daily or monthly lenses. Daily are much harder to take in and out

Lillyhatesjaz · 07/09/2019 18:33

I put mine in by looking up and placing them on the white part of my eye then looking down and they kind of just move into place

lifecouldbeadream · 07/09/2019 18:36

Took me 45 minutes in front of a mirror the first time I tried to get them in, i’ve Been wearing them for 20 years now, it does get easier. It got easier for me v. quickly ( think 4/5 days)

No pressure on your eyeball, if you are struggling to get lens out, pull lower corner of eyelid (outside of eye) away from your nose so it is slightly taught and then blink.

It does take practice, it will get easier, and if the won’t let you take the lenses home to practice, find an opticians who will.

Lucked · 07/09/2019 18:38

Being wearing them for twenty years but I remember learning was frustrating. I gave up on the optician method or thumb and index finger because even though I have very short nails I kept scratching my eyes.

I use my my index and middle fingers (like I am giving some one the V!) so that only the pads of my fingers are facing my eyes and that is how I pinch gently. This is possibly harder to learn, I have been doing it so long it is second nature to me and they are out in a flash.

For popping them in I don’t have to press, once they are placed the vacuum forms.

It is a steep learning curve but I think worth a little more perseverance before giving up.

cupofteaplease · 07/09/2019 18:39

I’ve been wearing lenses for 23 years (just worked that out, now I feel old Grin) and I remember how soul destroying it was at the beginning. I used to get in a real panic and it made it so much harder.
Now I wear the lenses you sleep in for a month, so I only put them in and remove them once a fortnight or so, just to give my eyes a rest.
You definitely shouldn’t be pushing against your eyeball. When I put them in, I barely touch it against my eye, then look around in all directions and it sort of slips into the right position. To remove, I slide it to the side, then bunch it between my fingers and pull it out. It doesn’t hurt at all, I barely feel it.
The only time my eyes stream is if there is a tear in the lens (very, very rare) or if there is some debris on the lens that I hadn’t noticed.
Good luck! I couldn’t be without mine now.

Celebelly · 07/09/2019 18:42

Yes there's no need to touch your eye or the lense to remove. Just apply gentle outward and downward pressure to your top and bottom lids and it will pop out. I've worn contact lenses for almost 20 years and have always removed them this way! Much nicer than trying to grab the lense between your fingers.

Celebelly · 07/09/2019 18:44

And honestly it does get easier. After a few months I didn't even need a mirror to put them in, it just takes a couple of seconds for each eye. It's just a learning curve.

Lucked · 07/09/2019 18:45

Couldn’t remember my technique for putting in (do it without thinking) but

Index finger of left hand placed along length of upper lid to hold it open.

Lens on pad of index finger right hand. Pull down lower lid of eye with middle finger right hand and place lens on eye. Blink.

I also realised that before removing I also lift up the upper lid with my left hand and pinch with right.

Not sure this will help as you may need to find your own best method.

Good luck

Twatonapogostick · 07/09/2019 18:52

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Pinkbonbon · 07/09/2019 18:59

It took me three trips before they'd let me take them home. You'll get there, its just finding the knack that works for you.

I use disposable ones, put them on my middle finger, tap out some of the liquid, hold the eye open and once the contact lenses is in front of it I look up and pop it in.

Taking out is actually easy once you get used to it. I lightly pinch (not with the nails) whilst holding eye open.

I think nerves and shaking are what causes the issues tbh. You need to tell yourself 'you can do it and it isn't a big deal'.

Good luck :)

Mary54 · 07/09/2019 19:10

It’s a practice thing. I think everyone struggles at the beginning, then after a few weeks, wonder what all the fuss was about. Rest assured, you will reach that point too.
I wore hard lenses for years before changing to soft lenses so had to relearn the technique but was used to dealing with things in and around my eyes. My son changed from glasses to soft lenses in he’s teens and struggled terribly for a few days it was fine after that