Can't put contact lenses in AIBU

[Flowerpower70]

I went for a contact lens trial last week at Specsavers. I chose the dailies. I got shown how to take them out, put them in then sent home where I took them out ok. I have tried to put them in this morning but failed miserably and so disappointed in myself. I took a chunk out of one so binned it and the other dropped on the bedroom floor so had to bin that as well. Tried with other but no luck at all. The contact lenses kept flipping inside out and stuck to my finger. I must be doing something wrong. I put the mirror about 6 inch from my face.. I hold my eye open with opposite hand but the.lens flips and sticks inside out to my finger.. I am 44 so maybe too old? Maybe I have mirror too close or finger too wet or too dry. I have dailies for distance. Only got 10 pairs trial so might have to phone up to buy more at this rate lol. I know my friends 15year old has them and manages fine. I'm an adult but can't even do one! I thought I got one in but it keeps flipping the wrong way and sticks to my finger. I have a steady hand but for some reason, can't put them in at all. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any assistance. I was looking forwards to trying them but feel a abit very disappointed in myself.

Maybe see if there are videos on YouTube that’ll help?

Not helpful, but it just takes practice.

FWIW, I use the pad of my ring finger to get the lens out and put it on the back of my left hand below where my thumb meets my index finger. I then lift it from underneath with the pad of my ring finger again and pop it straight into my eye. I don’t hold my eye open to put mine in, that just sounds like an extra bit you don’t need.

Oh thanks.. I have my arms and hands all over the place and didn't know where to put what where or where to look .. i look like a contortionist arms wrapped all over lol.

I just had a quick look on YouTube and it seems everyone lifts their lids except me! I must have big eyes.

Make sure your hands are really dry when you put them in. If your hand is wet, it will stick to your finger instead of your eye. The reverse is true for taking them out - if it seems stuck in your eye, get your hands wet before taking out (I don’t think you’re actually supposed to do that for hygiene reasons but 25 years of contact lens use here and never had an issue).

Other than that, it’s just practice I guess.

I've only used hard lenses, for decades, but fwiw... if my finger's too dry I've had the lense sticking to it as well. Make sure to wet the finger tip slightly before picking up the lense.

With hard lenses, when I started, they'd give you a little rubber suction thingy to use for inserting the lens instead of your finger - is that a thing at all for disposables? Maybe ask yiur provider.

Lens on wet ring finger of right hand. Left hand index finger slightly pulls down lower lid. Lens is also wet - too dry finger or lens and it flips inside out.

It’s definitely an art that it takes lots of us time to acquire, so don’t give up yet!

Keep your eye open a bit longer than you think and move your eyeball around to “take” the lens- don’t push your finger in as hard.

Also, not all brands are equal for the turning inside out- if they’re Specsavers Easy Vision / Serima Sphere they’re really annoying for it I found. I use different ones now and have no probs.

Shouldn’t be getting water near your lenses, if you need to wet your finger use the lens solution

It may be worth trying monthlies or weeklies. Bonus points for them being cheaper as well! Dailies are very thin which makes them harder to put in.

It is a knack when you start. I use my ring finger & dip it in solution first to ensure it does not stick.

It really is just practice. Everyone struggles the first few times but then you get to the point you can just instantly pop them in, no need for a mirror. It'll just take trial and error and everyone has a slightly different technique that works for them too.

If the lens keeps flipping it may be that you’re trying to put it in when it’s ’inside out’. They can sometimes flip as you take them out and it ends up in the container the wrong way up. Balance it on the tip of your finger at eye level and look at its shape. If it’s like a cup it’s the right way up. If it’s saucer shaped, ie the edges roll out then it’s inside out.

Watch loads of YouTube vids!

I used gas perms for years with no issues , can’t deal with soft lenses at all , I can get them in but absolutely can’t get them back out again no matter how much I try .

Put a hand mirror down on the table so you have to look down to see in it.

Pull your lower lid down with your pinkie finger and lightly put the contact lens on the surface of your eye.

Looking down will help to prevent you from blinking and stop you seeing your finger approach your eye.

Wash your hands. Dry your index finger completely and put the lens in the middle of it with plenty of solution on it. Open your eye with the fingers on the other hand and move your eye toward the finger with the lens. When you think it's in, move your finger away and check if the lens is gone.
If it flips/sticks, start again and be sure to dry your finger so it doesn't stick to it. They're tricky at first but you'll get there.

Don’t give up! I started at 13 wearing contacts and my first attempt took me 3hrs to get one in (then 2hrs for the other eye). You get faster and better.

I use my middle finger of left hand for left eye, and middle finger of right hand for right eye so my index fingers can push down my lower lid while my other hand holds open my upper lid. I also do not use a mirror at all, too confusing, I tilt my head back and look at the lens as I pop it in.

Taking out it is index and thumb of left hand for left eye, and index and thumb of right hand for right eye..I just drag and pinch.

Always, aIways wash your hands directly before putting contacts in or taking out.

It’s down to practice. Don’t feel a failure. It’s always hard at first.

Edited to add I am older than you, so you are not too old.

I really struggled at the start and then when I finally got them in I was paranoid I wouldn't be able to get them out.

It's just practise, sorry. After a while you will be able to do it so easily you won't even need a mirror- give it time.

I always found the daily lenses super fiddly as they are so thin. I have fortnightly ones and they are definitely a bit thicker and easier to work with. Maybe see if you can get some of those?

Yes, I loved my gas perms - so easy to flick out with your eyelid. I couldn't stand the fishing round in the eye needed with soft lenses. The time I fished, poked and pushed round for about an hour late at night, gave up, went to bed and then next morning found the lens I'd been trying to get out of my eye shrivelled up and stuck to the bathroom sink finished me with the wretched things.

They can be tricky. And it is a nack.
I found it easier to have the lense on the middle finger if my non dominant hand (if I tried with dominant hand it was always a bit of a scrat.).
Taking them out. They should just slide out but if they don't then just leave it for a while and have another go. Make sure that your lids are pulled taught (use index finger to pull eyelids out at the other if your eye - flat to your face).
Don't panic if the lenses disappears to the back of your eyeball. It's not going to go anywhere and your eye will naturally try and get it out so will end up at the front again.
If it's just not happening give up for 10 minutes or so, or swap eyes

I always put the contact lens in the palm of my left hand to start with. Put some lens solution on and then pick up with right index finger. Check it is the right way (not turned inside out, although sometimes judge it wrong even after 30 years of wearing them!) I still use a mirror.

Thanks so much!!!!!
I didn't use a mirror and got them both in, by looking up with head back then pulled up lid with other hand and put it in with right hand whilst holding bottom lid down. Took a while but got there, eventually! The lens still stuck to my finger though it was dry and popped the wrong way lots of times and stuck around my finger. Might be because they are the specsaver trial ones they are dailies. Thanks for helping! 🥰

Taking them out. Honestly, I wince when I read people slide them out. I know technically you're supposed to but...

I open my eye with the first finger and thumb of my right hand and then use first finger and thumb of my left hand to literally touch the top and bottom of the lens on the eye and scrunch it together. You're binning them anyway.

For putting in, use middle finger to scoop out . check first its not inside out and then use middle finger and thumb of left hand to open the eye. I look directly at the lens as I place it on my eyeball. However, ive been wearing lens nearly 40 years now and don't even need to look in the mirror. Worst thing is if you get a tiny hair on the lens, or godforbid an eyelash.

Time.

I’m late 40s, started wearing them early this year. Have been through quite a few ups and downs but now I feel like an expert! Top tips:

make sure the lens isn’t inside out as it can make application difficult as it folds backwards (and bloody uncomfortable once in!)

make sure your finger is dry but the lens is wet!

reach your opposite arm behind your head to pull up eyelid high

apply lens to middle of eye and once in, move your eyeball to the centre before slowly closing your eyelid.