Types of contact lenses
- Contact lenses can be divided into the following groups:
- Daily Disposables – replaced with a fresh pair everyday
- Biweekly Disposables – replaced with a fresh pair every two weeks
- Monthly Disposables – replaced with a fresh pair every month
- Toric Lenses – for patients who suffer from astigmatism
- Multi-Focal Lenses – provide all in one vision correction for patients who cannot see clearly over long and short distances
- Hard or RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) CL – CL for patients who suffer from severe astigmatism and irregular corneas
Handling the Lenses
- Wash, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly.
- Remove the lens from its storage case and examine it to be sure that it is clean and not torn. If the lens appears damaged, do not use it.
- Verify that the lens is not turned inside out by placing it on your forefinger and checking its profile.
Correct shape: bowl shape
Wrong shape: plate shape
Note: Develop the habit of always working with the RIGHT lens first to avoid mix up.
Inserting your contact lenses
- Place the lens on the tip of your forefinger.
- Pull down the lower lid and eyelashes with right middle finger.
- Use the forefinger of the other hand to lift the upper lid together with lashes.
- Place the lens on the eye.
- Gently release the lids and blink. The lens will center automatically.
- Check your vision to ensure the lens is in.
Note: If you need to rinse the lenses before you insert it into your eye, use only saline or multipurpose solution. Never use tap water.
Removing your contact lenses
- Wash, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly.
- Make sure your vision is clear before removing the lens.
- Look up,slide the lens to the lower part of the eye using the forefinger.
- Gently pinch the lens between the thumb and forefinger to remove the lens.
Cleaning and storing contact lenses
- Place the CL in the palm of your hand and apply a few drops of the recommended CL solution to the lens. Rub the lens gently on both sides.
- Rinse the lens thoroughly with CL solution.
- Place your cleaned CL in the lens case and fill it with CL solution until it covers the CL.
- Soak your CL in the lens case for at least 4 hours before reinsertion.
Lens case cleaning and maintenance
- After putting your CL back in your eyes, pour the remaining solution out of the lens case. Never reuse solution.
- Rinse the lens case with fresh solution and let the inside of the case dry out in the open air.
- Replace your lens case every time a new bottle of disinfecting solution is used.
Tips for healthy contact lens wear
- Always wash, rinse and dry hands before handling contact lenses.
- Never clean, rinse and store your CL with tap water.
- Always put on / remove CL first before applying / remove make up.
- Do not wear your CL to sleep.
- If you wear CL for swimming, better discharge the CL after the swim. Otherwise, it must be properly cleaned and disinfected before being re-inserted.
- Do not store your CL in high humidity places such as bathroom.
- Do not alternate or mix CL solution unless indicated on solution labeling.
- Contact your optometrist if you experience any symptoms of eye irritation or infection.
- You are advised to lay off your CL at lease one day a week.
Major causes of contact lens drop out
- Wearing an improper size of CL
- Over wear of CL
- Sleep with CL
- Using an improper CL solution
Complications of improper contact lens wear
- Infection
- Corneal ulcer
- Corneal edema and hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis (allergy of eyelid)
- Contact lens acute red eye (CLARE)
First time contact lens wearer adaptation schedule
Day | Hours |
1 | 4 |
2 | 6 |
3 | 8 |
4 | 10 |
5 onwards | ≥12 |
Date of your next after care visit
Date of your next after care visit
Regular check-ups as determined by your optometrist are important to monitor your eye health.
- 1 week
- 1 month
- 3 months
- 6 months
*CL = contact lens