5 Tips for New Contact Lens Wearers

You just got contacts — congratulations! Now you don’t have to worry about your glasses sliding around on your face, wiping raindrops off your lenses, or breaking your frames.

But now you have a new set of worries: How do you put these things in? What if you lose one? What if you don’t adjust well?

Here at North Florida Eye Center in Gainesville and Chiefland, Florida, Dr. Maher Fanous and our team field questions like this from our new contact lens wearers all the time. Here are five of our best tips for new contact lens wearers.

1. Relax

You might be a little stressed as you think about putting your new contact lenses into your eyes. Stop for a second and take a deep breath. You probably won’t get your contacts in the first time you try. Maybe not the second or third time either.

This is completely normal, and you shouldn’t panic. You’re just not used to sticking things into your eyes. You’ll get there, and soon the process will feel like second nature.

One tip: If you’re putting your contacts in above your sink, plug the drain the first few times you try. You may or may not be prone to dropping your lens at first, and you don’t want to lose one or have to fish it out of the drainpipe. (Don’t ask us how we know this.)

2. Practice, practice, practice

The contacts won’t hurt your eyes, so you’re in no danger of harming yourself. Just keep working through the steps your provider showed you for inserting and removing your lenses. Practicing is the only way you’ll become more confident.

3. Maintain good hygiene

This is vital for contact lens wearers. Wash your hands with soap and water (and dry them) before handling your contacts. Use new solution every night when you store your contacts (never reuse solution) and if you need to rinse your contacts. 

You should also replace your lens case every three months or so to avoid bacteria that could cause an infection. And don’t sleep in your contacts!

4. Follow your doctor’s recommendations

Your doctor is your doctor for a reason. Don’t assume you know better. Just follow their directions. That said, if your contacts aren’t working well for you — if they don’t fit well or if they’re causing pain or discomfort — contact your doctor right away. They want to help you!

5. Change your lenses on schedule

Various types of lenses are designed to be replaced at different intervals. Most should be replaced every month, but some lenses should be replaced with a new pair every day. Whatever the directions are, follow them! You don’t want to wear contacts for longer than they’re intended to be worn. This can lead to an infection in your eye due to bacteria and protein buildup on the lenses. 

If you have questions about your new contacts, feel free to get in touch with our team anytime. You can call our office or use our online scheduling tool if you want to make an appointment.

Enjoy your new contacts!