Trial of contact lenses

[MozzchopsThirty]

How long did it take you to get used to putting them in and taking them out?
Does it really become second nature

I tried them for the first time yesterday and it took me over an hour to get them in and then out

When I first tried them (aged 16!) it took me SO long to get them in and out (to the point I often slept in them for days at a time because I hated doing it).

It probably took a couple of weeks to really get the hang of it, but you just have to keep going and keep practicing. Eventually it’ll click and you’ll work out a way that works for you. Once they’re in, if you’re struggling to get them out, give it half an hour and then try again. I used to find that the frustration made it worse!

Now at 27, I’m incredibly disciplined, wouldn’t dream of sleeping in them and can get them in in less than a minute, and out in less than 2 - accounting for time to rinse & store them overnight in the saline solution.

I remember that it took me ages faffing about trying to get them in then take them out (nearly 20 years ago now), but it does become second nature after a while. Hang in there!
When I had the trial at the opticians I went very faint; apparently it’s relatively common, and then I had five more appointments to get used to wearing them. The optician said that if you couldn’t do it after three appointments then they weren’t for you but he gave me two extra chances. It makes me laugh thinking back at all the hassle I went through but it was worth it.
So, if I can do it then I’m sure you can. Good luck!

It took me a couple of weeks too (old style rigid lenses) and when I changed to soft it took me a while to get the hang of
it again (they're bigger). I found it harder getting them out than in, but there is more than one way of doing it. Don't give up, they are SO worth it.

It does become second nature. I can't remember how long it took as I had them first in the days of hard lenses but do persevere and it does get easier and easier. And it's weeks and not months.

I've worn lenses now for 30+ years.

It's about 35 years ago & I have no idea.
However it now takes seconds to put them in / take them out (daily disposables).

Yes, 35 years for me too, I wouldn't be without them.

I can’t remember how long it took me , but my 13 year old started wearing them about a year ago and I’d say it took her a couple of weeks tops to get used to taking them in and out ..... well worth it !

Not only does it take practice to get them in and out (it does take a while to get the hang of it!),
but I find (I wear monthlies) that for the first couple of days in each month, that the brand new contact lenses are extremely soft and difficult to hold - but throughout each month, with wear they get a tiny bit more firm (and are easier to hold/ & less likely to stick to your eyeball!).

Hang in there - it does get easier and they are life changing!!

Fabulous thank you for all these positive replies

I've got 4 days worth now to try at home then going back on 22nd jan
Having just spent £200 on glasses and the faff of them I'm determined to make this work!

Thank you

I've used CLs for years. From peeling the foil back to getting them both in id say about 60-90 secs max. DO NOT use a mirror. You dont need one.

I'm working from home tomorrow so going to try them again 😬

I've worn them for 20+ years and agree with others - a couple of weeks to get used to it. Having said that, I do still have occasional days where it takes me a few goes (usually because it gets stuck to my finger), but I wouldn't be without them. I still wear my glasses more than my lenses but on rainy day or, when doing sport or wearing a mask the lenses are so much better!

I can't remember exactly, I know I had several sessions with the optician before I was allowed to take them home. This was in 1971, so I am at 49 years of wearing them, initially hard ones, switched to gas permeable about 30 years ago. When I first started wearing CL, I was told 10 years was the longest I could hope to wear them.
I'm incredibly short sighted and they have been fantastic, although I now need reading glasses!
DS wears soft ones, and it took him a few days to manage to get them in and out, when he was 12.

I've tried this morning for 30 minutes, I'm so frustrated I could cry!!!
One just split
Managed to get one in but it felt like it was folded somehow so I took it out
And then couldn't get in after that

So I've come downstairs in a mood with myself and wearing my glasses

My DD started using them at about 14. It took her a couple of weeks for her to really get the hang of doing it. And because she wasn't using them every day, some times proved trickier than others. She used to get really frustrated (tears don't help the process apparently....) She did eventually master it though. 2 years on and she still doesn't use them all the time, but can get them in in a matter of seconds.

Oh no . Could I suggest trying for no longer than a few minutes at a time, if you don't manage, put them away and try again later, make sure you're not in a rush, not getting interrupted etc.

I don't know why, but exhaling at the same time helps me. May open the eye fractionally wider?

I'm trying to hols my top lashes which is impossible once I blink

Did the optician not give you a lesson? My DD wasn't allowed to take them home until she had successfully taken them in and out at the opticians.

I don't think she holds her eye lashes - puts her finger on her eyelid and pulls it up towards her eyebrow.

I hold my eyelashes, upper with my left index finger, lower with my right middle finger and lens is on right index finger. To remove I use right index and middle fingers on upper and lower lashes and pinch, catching it with my thumb as it comes out.

Yes I was there for over an hour and managed to get them in and out twice

It is just practice. Once you get upset, and your eyes start to get sore, it's best to leave it a try again later. At least that's what I found with a teenager having been thrown into the mix as well!!

I only wear mine occasionally but am making more of an effort to wear them more regularly so putting them in is easier. I can now generally get them straight in unless my eyes are tired / dry. I have trialled a lot of contact lenses and I would say to keep at it and go back to your optician if you're still having issues. Some are much easier to handle than others, I had some that were so soft they stuck to everything except my eyeballs!