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.

Should also add: use your thumb on ‘application hand’ to pull down bottom lid - you need a really wide aperture in order to place the lens properly

I wore them for decades. Lens on tip of middle finger, pull down lower lid with ring finger, pop onto eye and press v lightly to eke out any air bubble and blink.

I might ask if I can try something better quality as they are the specsaver unbranded ones I think. My prescription for both eyes is -2.75. Maybe quite strong I can't see without them or my glasses distance is blurred.
I can take them out ok, better than I thought, first time both eyes. Wish i could put them in as easy lol

Aww thanks. I take them out ok, rather shocked as did it first time today.

The dailies can be a pain in the arse. They're like clingfilm! I had gas permeable hard lenses from the age of 15 but started on the specsavers dailies a couple of years ago.

Open the container thing and gently scoop the lens out. I use my forefinger almost like a spoon. The lens then sort of becomes a bowl on the end of my finger.

Balancing the lens bowl on your finger, look in the mirror but NOT AT YOUR EYE! Pretend you're terrified and your eyes are wide open, look at the scary pretend thing that's coming behind you in the mirror (so your close up focus goes a bit blurry) and then pop that lens on your eye, big open eye blinks and then, tadaaaa!

You'll get the hang of it.

I must admit, at 52, I prefer hard lenses, but they're not a thing anymore. The dailies are a faff!

I might ask if I can try something better quality as they are the specsaver unbranded ones I think. My prescription for both eyes is -2.75. Maybe quite strong I can't see without them or my glasses distance is blurred.
I can take them out ok, better than I thought, first time both eyes. Wish i could put them in as easy lol

I have -2.75 in one eye and -3.0 in the other so wear multi focal lenses (think that's what they are!).

No mirror might be your issue. I’ve been wearing them for 30+ years and can’t get them in without a mirror. When there isn’t one around I use my phone but I need to be able to see my eyes to make it work.

Practice practice practice!

When I first had lenses it would take me 20+ mins to get them in. Now it takes me 2 seconds.
It took me a good solid 2 weeks of practice before I got quicker and now it's so easy I barely think about it.

Make sure your fingers are dry. Use the pad of your finger. Lift both lids and look straight ahead. Some people like to look up but I find it easier to look straight ahead in the mirror (don't look at the lens coming towards your eye just keep focussed on the mirror)

Don't give up. They're a game changer!

I don't wear them anymore (as had laser) but I used to put my finger just in front of my eye, with the other hand hold the eyelid up. Then look up and put it in. Then you can't see your finger coming towards you 😂

Contact lenses do take some getting used to and I found them a bit of a nuisance.

I bought some Specsavers eye drops that can be used with contact lenses. Those and the saline solution were my best friends because they helped me keep my eyes open and wider for longer. They can also help stop your eyes drying out and getting sore if you're having a lot of trouble with either insertion or removal.

Make sure your middle finger is dry and the lens is balanced on the tip. Then try using your index and ring fingers to pull your lower eyelid down (and the fingers of your other hand to pull your upper eyelid up). Then flip yourself (and that pesky contact lens) off in the mirror and pop the lens firmly into the middle. I'd experiment with which hand does what and find what's easiest for you.

Being unable to put the contacts in is frustrating, but being unable to take them out can be even more stressful. I find the easiest way to remove is to pull my eye at the corner, pull my eyelid up, press it slightly against the eyeball and then slowly push my eyelid down. It can take a few tries to get the hang of it but I find it one of the least uncomfortable methods!

I’m so happy one of the many methods has worked for you. It was pure luck that my way also suits you. It is true that quality of contact lenses matters quite a bit for ease of use and comfort.

I might ask if I can try something better quality as they are the specsaver unbranded ones I think. My prescription for both eyes is -2.75. Maybe quite strong I can't see without them or my glasses distance is blurred.

Yes, definitely ask for better quality lenses. The best brands are: Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, and Cooper Vision

I currently use the Cooper Vision My Day daily contact lenses. They are top rated for eye health, comfort and are UV coated so protect your eyes.
https://coopervision.co.uk/contact-lenses/myday

-2.75 is not a strong prescription so you will have plenty of choice.

It’s advised to have more than one brand to trial as different lenses can suit one person better than another as our eyes are kind of individual. I would ask for a couple more trial packs/ 2 different ones to try. The optometrist should also do a fit check on the ones you think feel the most comfortable. By this, the lenses you don’t even feel are the most comfortable. You shouldn’t even feel them in your eyes when wearing them.

On side note, the silicon hydrogel contact lenses are not single use plastics so they are environmentally friendly as well.