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Original poster

Taking out contacts lenses and putting them in

27 replies

Flowerpower70 · 21/08/2024 19:16

I tried contacts for the first time yesterday. I went to specsavers, I had fluorescent dye put in my eyes which went all over, the optician didn't wash it out but it went away within 5 minutes. The optician put the lenses in, they said they went easy then I went to see a young lass to take them out and put them in again. They got me to stand up and I struggled a lot as I couldn't get to see close enough so asked to sit down which made it much easier. I had to drag them out of my eyes.. Then I had to put them in again which took ages. I was wondering if anyone has any tips to make it easier please. I wear the daily ones. Got 10 pairs but don't go back until mid September. I know of I can do the pinch method.. it took a bit to get them out.. and put them in. Any tips I would really appreciate.

OP posts:
FilthyRich · 21/08/2024 19:22

Use a magnifying mirror. I use my ring finger to put them in.
It gets easier with practice.

Carry a mirror with you, you never know when you'll needed. Be scrupulously clean and careful when putting them in and removing the lenses.

Boidont · 21/08/2024 19:24

It gets easier over time, I don’t need a mirror now. But if you have long nails or have acrylics they definitely make it 100x harder!

CleanShirt · 21/08/2024 19:25

Literally just takes time. I've been wearing dailies for 20 years and don't even need a mirror any more!

Willyoushutthefrontdoor · 21/08/2024 19:31

Definitely echo the above. I've been wearing them almost 30 years and it's become as easy as turning on a light

BashfulClam · 21/08/2024 19:33

I use both hands to remove mine. When I first got them about 25 years ago I had fake nails in. Use the pads of two fingers and move them towards each other and the lens should lift off your eye.

JC03745 · 21/08/2024 19:34

Like anything, it really takes time and practice.

For getting mine out, I push my eyelid down over them till they lift. I don't pinch them out! I've worn mine on/off for 30yrs, and maybe I was taught the pinch technique, but I really cannot recall. You will find what works for YOU with time.

1 word of warning. I had optician lenses for years, then changed to cheaper daysoft ones which are online. For maybe 5yrs, these were absolutely fine and alot cheaper! Eventually my eyes became blood shot everytime I wore them. Long story short, I ended up at Moorfields eye hospital with various issues put down to the cheap lenses. They said that eyes will only cope with so much and after treatment, I changed back to the optician quality brand, which apparently provide more oxygen to the eyes.

Not trying to put you off lenses, but do wear branded ones from an optician.

LemongrassLollipop · 21/08/2024 19:35

Try pushing the lower half of the contact lens upwards when it's on your eye. It should wrinkle up making it easier to pinch and take out.

I've been wearing them for 30 years and it does get easier!

longdistanceclaraclara · 21/08/2024 19:38

I've worn lenses for over 20 years and haven't used a mirror for years. It just becomes second nature.

I get focus dailies from vision direct.

Starlightstarbright3 · 21/08/2024 19:39

Watch Johnson and Johnson video online .

give yourself time .. when putting in make sure you get the grip on your eye before putting them in .

DiscoBeat · 21/08/2024 20:03

I think the hardest thing at the start for me was getting used to touching my eyes, so with super clean fingers I practiced getting my index finger close to my eyeballs, until I could touch my eyeball without blinking. That made it a lot easier. I've been wearing dailies for about 28 years now without any issues.

Calliopespa · 21/08/2024 20:10

Lots of good advice here op.

It really does get easier. Tbh it sounds as though you have done quite well quite fast. It can work well to have a mirror on a stand so you can sit down and change the angle of the mirror. If you tilt it slightly upwards your eyes need to look upward a bit which naturally gets the top lid out of the way. Just play round with the angle; it can make a big difference.

The oxygen thing is a real concern and you mustn’t use cheap ones not recommended by your optometrist/ optician.

The hygiene is important but actually the biggest concern is getting water in your eyes. I was told it’s better to use a dry unwashed finger than a clean wet one! This is hard to wrap your mind around as we think of water as “ clean” but for eyes it isn’t; it’s where the most dangerous bacteria reside.

Netty909 · 21/08/2024 20:31

Look in to the mirror. For the right eye, look to you left and put the lens on the white of your eye and gently blink so it moves into position. For the left eye, do the opposite, look right etc. To remove I look up and gently pull the lens down and pinch to remove. You will soon find the best way but don't leave them in longer than you need to. I ended up with ingrown blood vessels due to lack of oxygen to my eye. All ok now but better to be cautious and take them out when you get home.

FilthyRich · 21/08/2024 20:40

The cheaper lenses IME are less comfortable.
You need to dry your hands after washing them and use a clean, non-shedding towel.
If you are going away for the weekend take a mirror with you. I've been caught out by mirrors positioned for people about a foot taller than me.

Original poster
Flowerpower70 · 21/08/2024 23:27

JC03745 · 21/08/2024 19:34

Like anything, it really takes time and practice.

For getting mine out, I push my eyelid down over them till they lift. I don't pinch them out! I've worn mine on/off for 30yrs, and maybe I was taught the pinch technique, but I really cannot recall. You will find what works for YOU with time.

1 word of warning. I had optician lenses for years, then changed to cheaper daysoft ones which are online. For maybe 5yrs, these were absolutely fine and alot cheaper! Eventually my eyes became blood shot everytime I wore them. Long story short, I ended up at Moorfields eye hospital with various issues put down to the cheap lenses. They said that eyes will only cope with so much and after treatment, I changed back to the optician quality brand, which apparently provide more oxygen to the eyes.

Not trying to put you off lenses, but do wear branded ones from an optician.

I went to specsavers and they gave me some unbranded trial dailies. Should I use branded ones instead? The optician didn't talk about brands with me, just gave me 10 pairs of lenses and said come back in 7th September. I felt better with the lenses in and better than glasses. Thank you for your advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerpower70 · 21/08/2024 23:29

FilthyRich · 21/08/2024 20:40

The cheaper lenses IME are less comfortable.
You need to dry your hands after washing them and use a clean, non-shedding towel.
If you are going away for the weekend take a mirror with you. I've been caught out by mirrors positioned for people about a foot taller than me.

Would an ordinary hand towel be OK or a microfiber one? Thanks for your advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerpower70 · 21/08/2024 23:29

Thanks everyone for your advice

OP posts:
JC03745 · 21/08/2024 23:37

I went to specsavers and they gave me some unbranded trial dailies. Should I use branded ones instead?

I'm unsure what brands they use for trials in an optometrist, or how they decide which brand is best, but the trial ones should are fine. What I was referring to was 5+ yrs of using cheapy, online versions which presumably use cheaper components to the branded products. This ended with me at Moorfields because my eyes couldn't cope anymore. Your 10 trial pairs should be fine OP.

squishee · 21/08/2024 23:41

It's hard if you have a strong blink reflex. I used to wear hard lenses and use a tiny silicon plunger type thing to take them out.

Messen · 22/08/2024 00:20

JC03745 · 21/08/2024 23:37

I went to specsavers and they gave me some unbranded trial dailies. Should I use branded ones instead?

I'm unsure what brands they use for trials in an optometrist, or how they decide which brand is best, but the trial ones should are fine. What I was referring to was 5+ yrs of using cheapy, online versions which presumably use cheaper components to the branded products. This ended with me at Moorfields because my eyes couldn't cope anymore. Your 10 trial pairs should be fine OP.

What she said. Specsavers are great. I’ve had many a trial lens from them over the years and they are basically the same as the lenses they foresee you wearing/ will eventually recommend if the trial ones suit you. mine for example are made by copper vision…

IBegYourBiggestPardon · 22/08/2024 02:23

I struggle to put them in by sticking the contact lens directly onto the middle of my eye, I either don't pull my upper eyelid far enough back or blink too soon. The best way I've found is to place the lens on the side of my finger near the top. Stand in front of the mirror, tilt my head forward and use the opposite hand to pull the bottom eyelid down. Then I put the top part of the lens onto my lower eye and slide it upwards until it's in position. Taking them out is harder because I have nails, but another poster recommended using the pads of two finger tips so I'll be giving that a go next time I pop a pair in

Firefly1987 · 22/08/2024 02:26

longdistanceclaraclara · 21/08/2024 19:38

I've worn lenses for over 20 years and haven't used a mirror for years. It just becomes second nature.

I get focus dailies from vision direct.

Haven't they discontinued focus dailies?

WearyAuldWumman · 22/08/2024 02:33

I use a single finger to put them in and the pinch method to remove them.

It took me longer to learn to remove them.

tuttuttutt · 22/08/2024 02:43

JC03745 · 21/08/2024 19:34

Like anything, it really takes time and practice.

For getting mine out, I push my eyelid down over them till they lift. I don't pinch them out! I've worn mine on/off for 30yrs, and maybe I was taught the pinch technique, but I really cannot recall. You will find what works for YOU with time.

1 word of warning. I had optician lenses for years, then changed to cheaper daysoft ones which are online. For maybe 5yrs, these were absolutely fine and alot cheaper! Eventually my eyes became blood shot everytime I wore them. Long story short, I ended up at Moorfields eye hospital with various issues put down to the cheap lenses. They said that eyes will only cope with so much and after treatment, I changed back to the optician quality brand, which apparently provide more oxygen to the eyes.

Not trying to put you off lenses, but do wear branded ones from an optician.

Yes I had issues with blood vessels growing on my eyes with the cheap non breathable ones. I get boots daily disposables for £36 a month and they are the breathable ones. Eyes can't be fucked with

Nat6999 · 22/08/2024 02:57

I use the sides of my finger & my thumb pad to take them out as I used to wear nail extensions. I put them in with my middle finger, pull up my top lid, drop the lense in. I have to turn mine as I have toric lenses, I use the pad of my middle finger to do it.

longdistanceclaraclara · 22/08/2024 06:23

@Firefly1987 yes they are but still available at vision direct