Get the facts
User's Guide
No matter what type of contact lens you have good hygiene and correct care of lenses and lens cases are essential. Always be sure to follow your eye care professional's instructions and these simple guidelines.
Using contact lenses can be just as easy as brushing your teeth once you get the hang of it. Check out the following video for application and removal of contact lenses
Hey, clean up your act!
- Before handling, applying or removing the lens, clean your hands with soap that does not contain oils, lotion or perfume. Dry your hands with a clean lint-free towel.
- Always apply your contact lenses before applying makeup and remove them before taking off your makeup.
Wear a pair. Keep a spare
- Always carry a spare pair of contact lenses with you.
- Always keep a pair of recently prescribed spectacles handy for those times when you may be unable to wear contact lenses.
- If you drive, always keep a pair of spectacles in your car.
Know when to remove or dispose of your contact lenses
- Remove your contact lenses if they are exposed to an irritant or harmful vapor.
- Remove your contact lenses if your eyes feel uncomfortable or if they hurt or become irritated and red.
- Never use lenses past their expiry date.
- Always replace contact lenses on time as directed by your eye care professional
Here's how to apply your contact lenses
1. Wash, rinse and dry your hands.
- Use soap that does not contain oil, lotions or perfume. Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel
2. Open the packaging.
- Each lens is provided in a sterile foil sealed container. Don't use the lens if the container or foil are damaged in any way.
- Your eye care professional may have recommended a different lens power for each eye, so be careful to open and use the correct lens for each eye.
- To avoid mix-ups, always start by putting in the same lens, left or right.
- Shake the lens package and peal back lid.
- Using your index finger gently slide the lens out of the blister.
- Do not use tweezers or other sharp tools to remove the lens from the container. This may cause damage to the lens.
- Never place a damaged lens on your eye.
3. Examine the lens.
- Place the lens on the tip of your index finger and hold it up to the light.
- Make sure it is clean and moist. Check that there are no signs of nicks, tears or particles on the surface.
- Don't use a lens that appears to be dry or damaged. Throw it away and take out a new lens.
4. Check that the lens is not inside out.
- If you place an inside-out lens on your eye, it may cause discomfort or not correct your vision.
- If the edge has a lip or flares outward, it is wrong side out and must be reversed.
5. Place the lens on your eye.
- Place the lens on the tip of your right index finger if you are right-handed or on the left if you are left-handed. Make sure your finger is dry or the lens will stick to your finger and make it more difficult to place on your eye.
- Place the middle finger of the same hand close to your lower eyelashes and pull down your lower eyelid.
- Use the fingers of your other hand to lift your upper eyelid.
- Place the lens directly onto the cornea or over the pupil of your eye.
- Look down. Release the lower eyelid first, and then the upper lid, still looking down.
- Blink gently. The lens will centre automatically. Try not to rub your eyes once the lens is in place. If it feels comfortable and you can see well, move on to the other eye. If not, take the contact lens out, rinse it with sterile saline solution, and try again.
6. Repeat the steps for your other eye.
Here's how to remove your contact lenses
1. Wash, rinse and dry your hands.
- Use soap that does not contain oils, lotions or perfume. Dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel
2. Blink fully several times. Pull your lower eyelid down.
- Make sure the lens is over the pupil.
- Keeping you head straight look up. Use your middle finger to pull down your lower eyelid.
3. Slide the lens downward.
- While look up, place the tip of your index finger on the lower edge of the lens and slide it downward onto the white part of your eye.
4. Remove the lens
- Still looking up, gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger.
- Carefully remove it from your eye.
- If you wear daily disposable contact lenses, throw them away. If you don't wear daily disposables, ensure proper cleaning and store them in your lens case.
5. Repeat the steps for your other eye.
Here's how to clean your contact lenses
If you have lenses that require cleaning and disinfecting, follow the package instructions and keep these instructions in mind:
- Clean and rinse your contact lenses with the appropriate solution to keep deposits from accumulating through the day. Most of the deposits, from things like dust, makeup, tears, and pollution, are actually invisible to the naked eye. But they are there.
- To minimize risk of infection, proper handling and care are essential every time you use or remove your contact lenses, and you should follow the instructions of your eye care professional.
- Clean and disinfect your lens case too. Use the same solution you use to clean your contact lenses. Remember to get a new lens case monthly or whenever you change your bottle of lens care solution. Lots of lens-care solutions come with lens cases already included.
And finally here are some things you should REALLY avoid doing.
- Don't swap contact lenses or lens cases with anyone else.
- Don't wear contact lenses longer than advised.
- Never use saliva or water on your contact lenses or lens case.
- If you want to nap or sleep in your contact lenses, ask your eye care professional as only certain contact lenses are suitable for this.
