Beginner's guide to contact lens care

Contact lenses are a specialized, aesthetically appealing, unobstructive and freeing alternative to eyeglasses. If you’re trying them out for the first time or switching your eye enhancement solution, it does take time and repetition to get acquainted. Applying your contact lenses may not be as simple as stretching over your bedside table and slipping on a pair of spectacles, but with time, putting them in will become second nature; allowing you to enjoy their numerous lifestyle benefits.

At Oculus Curae, we want to help you see better and live better by providing quality products (including supplements and contact lens solutions) to improve your vision at affordable prices. 

We’re here to answer some burning questions on the minds of new contact users (Care may vary according to the type of lenses you are using. However, the list generally applies to those with soft or hard contact lenses, whether they are using daily disposables or long-term lenses):

#1 How do I put my contact lenses in?

Applying contact lenses for the first time can be daunting and awkward, but following these tips will result in a smooth insertion process:

1. Wash your hands with soap (avoid using soaps containing extra oils or fragrances as they tend to stick to the surface of the lens) and dry them using a clean tissue or lint-free cloth or towel
2. Open your contact lens case and keep your other eye closed (not to confuse the right and left lenses)
3. Use your fingertips to slide one lens in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Rinse the lens with contact lens solution
4. Lift the lens onto the tip of your index or middle finger of your dominant hand
5. Ensure the lens is not torn or damaged and is the right side up (with the edge of the lens forming a bowl). If the lens is inside-out, flip it
6. Hold your upper eyelid open with the pointer or middle finger of your non-dominant hand. Hold your lower eyelid down with the middle or ring finger of your dominant hand
7. Look forward or straight up and place the lens in your eye
8. Close your eyes slowly and let the lens settle into place. It should feel comfortable and your sight should be clear. If not, remove it, rinse it with contact lens cleaning solution and reapply
9. Repeat the process with the other eye.

#2 How should I take out my contact lenses?

Once you’ve settled into wearing your contacts, it can be difficult to remember to remove them. Generally, contacts should be worn for between 10 and 12 hours per day, but you should speak to your eyecare specialist for the exact number of hours that applies to your lenses. Start the process as follows:

1. Begin by thoroughly washing your hands and drying them to avoid an eye infection
2. Flip over your storage case, shaking out any remaining contact lens solution and air drying it or drying with a fresh, clean cloth
3. Position yourself in front of a mirror and look up. Pull down the lower eyelid with the middle finger of your dominant hand. Remove the same lens first to avoid confusion
4. Slide the contact lens down the white of your eye with the index finger of your dominant hand
5. Gently pinch the lens with the pads of your index finger and thumb to remove from the eye
6. Repeat process to remove both lenses
7. If your lenses are not daily disposables, clean them using our Aqua Naina Sterile Saline Solution
8. Place the lenses in a storage case and cover them with fresh contact lens solution or discard daily wear lenses.

#3 Tips for optimal contact lens care

Proper care and maintenance of your contact lenses is crucial for maintaining eye health and experiencing comfortable vision. Follow these best-practice steps:

1. Clean the storage case for your contact lenses at least once a week using clean soapy water
2. Replace your contact lens storage case every three months or as recommended by your eye care professional. (The Aqua Naina Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution comes with a contact lens storage case, so you can forget about the additional expense)
3. Remove the contact lenses if you are experiencing unusual eye irritation symptoms and contact an eye professional
4. Clean and disinfect your lenses daily using a recommended contact lens cleaning solution (never use saliva or tap water instead)
5. Follow the recommended wearing schedule for your specific type of lenses, whether daily disposable, monthly, or extended wear
6. Remove your lenses before swimming (unless wearing goggles) or showering to avoid exposure to waterborne microorganisms
7. Don’t wear contact lenses while sleeping
8. Never reuse contact lens solution.

#4 How to select a trustworthy contact lens cleaning solution?

The cost of contact lens cleaning solutions can vary significantly from one manufacturer to another. As a newbie to this space, it’s important that you select a contact lens solution that ticks the following boxes:

• Affordable
• FDA-approved
• Preservative-free
• Certified by professionals
• A multipurpose contact lens solution that cleans, disinfects, rinses, and stores your lenses, providing comprehensive care 
• Easy to purchase with fast, free delivery (in the US). 

Oculus Curae ticks all the above boxes, giving you assurance that you are purchasing trustworthy, certified products from professionals who genuinely care about your eye health.

Visit us online to shop our range of quality products at affordable prices.