Medical Optics

For new wearers, it may not be easy to tell if the contact lenses are inside out because the difference is subtle. There is really no harm in wearing inverted lenses but they can be uncomfortable.

Above is the correct and incorrect configuration of a contact lens, you can observe this when it is on your finger tip before you place it in your eye
Prior to wearing, place the lens on your finger and ensure it forms a without the edges flaring out but just like a half ball, then it’s not inverted. A soft lens looks ‘bell-shaped’ when it’s inside out.

To make certain lenses with handling tint are not inside out, place them on your fingertip. The edges should show a very blue (or green) tint as you look down on them.

For lenses with laser marking on the edge, they’re not inverted if you can properly read what’s written.

Wearing Contact Lenses

• Prior to wearing contact lenses, thoroughly wash hands but don’t use soaps or other products that contain oil, scents, lanolin or moisturizers as these tend to stick to the lens surface. Use palin soap. It is essential that you dry your hands fully and properly by using several sheets of fresh tissue paper. After drying your hands flick your hands together to shed any traces of tissue paper before touching soft contact lenses. Never allow water to touch your contact lenses.
• Doctors recommend to always apply the same contact lens on the same eye. Avoid interchanging the lenses.
• Never pull stuck lenses out of the storage solution to avoid damaging them. Instead, gently shake the lenses loose. Let the lenses slide into your palm then rinse them with appropriate solution.
• Position the contact lens on your dry index or middle finger tip then using the fingers and thumb of your other hand, pull your upper eye lid up and your lower eyelid down at the same time.
• You may look upward or forward as you position the lens on your eye or you can try placing the lens on the outer white part of your eye. In time, you will develop a more comfortable way to put them on.
• Settle the lens into position by gently closing your eye, give it a complete circle roll then blink.
• When placed properly, the lens will comfortably settled in the centre allowing clear vision.

Taking Contact Lenses Out

• Remove contact lenses using clean,just washed dry hands. Avoid accidentally dropping the lenses in the drain by covering the opening with a clean paper towel.
• For soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways with your lower lid pulled downward. Manoeuvre the lens toward the white part of the eye then gently pinch lens edges together to lift it out.
• For rigid contact lenses, simply bend over. With eye wide open, pull upper and lower lid outward then blink and the lens should pop right out. Have one hand ready to catch the lens.

Avoid accidental damage to your eyes by keeping your fingernails short while mastering contact lens application and removal.

Contact lens removing devices called plungers are also available. When using one, make sure the device does not touch your eye surface, only the lens.

Because the conjuctiva connects the eye to the back of the eyelid, there is no reason to fear the myth of losing the contact lens in the back of the eye. Occasionally a lens gets caught under the upper lid before you take it out and then dissapears. Panic sometimes takes hold in new contact lens wearers when they cannot retrieve the lens. Don’t panic, even late at night! If you cannot remove it forget about it until the next day, it won’t do you any harm. However do go along to your eye care professional to have it removed the next day.

Effects of UV Light

Cataract formation and the condition called photokeratitis are both linked to UV (ultraviolet) light hence some contact lenses are made with UV blockers. The lens package information should indicate this since you can’t see the blocking agent on lenses.Ask your eye doctor when in doubt.

Because contact lenses only cover the cornea, they can’t serve as sunglasses replacement even if they contain anti-UV agents.But they can help protect the eyes from pingueculae and pterygia formation. Contacts with UV blockers give added protection but sunglasses with UV protection can cover more of the eye area and some parts of the face hence they provide much more comprehensive protection.

Can You Use Eye Makeup with Contact Lenses?

The following tips should enable you to use make up and contact lenses at the same time without trouble.

• Insert your lenses before your makeup and eyeliner. Use only non-allergenic brands.
• Touch contact lenses only with thoroughly clean, washed and dry hands to avoid contaminating them with oils, lotion, cream, etc.
• You can use cream eye shadow but water-based is superior to oil-based.
• Powder eye shadow can get into your eyes and cause irritation while wearing contacts. Make sure to close your eyes during application and brush off excess powder right after and before you open your eyes.
• You may apply eyeliner but only on the outer portion of the lashes and never on the very inner rim.
• Wash and dry your hands prior to makeup removal. Take your contact lenses out first, making sure they don’t brush into any of the makeup. Once lenses are safely placed in their case, proceed with removing your eye makeup using a makeup remover.
• Avoid bacteria build up in your eye makeup and subsequent eye infection by replacing makeup at least every 3 months and by not sharing it with others.