soft contact lenses

[manathu]

I went to try some disposable contact lenses yesterday. I wore them for about 20 minutes with no problems. Then I had to practise putting them in and taking them out. I managed to put them in fine but I couldn't take them out. They were just stuck like limpets to my eye ball. In the end the optician removed them for me, and I am going back on Monday for another go. Has anyone out there had similar trouble, or can anyone give me some tips. I'd love to be able to wear them but I'm a bit scared now.

[rosyrussell]

Try lifting the upper lid with one hand, then putting the middle finger of the other hand gently but firmly on the lens and pulling the lense down from the iris, then squeeze the lens gently on its left and right side with thumb and first finger, which makes it sort of pop off. If the lense has become a little drier, it can stick on the eye more, so try applying a couple of drops of saline before you try. Don't panic about it - it takes a few trys to master it properly, and once you have the knack, you will wonder what the fuss was about!

[hannahjo]

Hi manathu, don�t worry � it will take time to get used to them! I first got gas permeable lenses about 8 years ago and for the first week or so of having them I just could not get them out by myself, my mum had to do it for me! However, after a bit of practise I learnt and it became effortless. This summer I got soft lenses for the first time and despite wearing hard lenses for so long and being used to poking my eyes about again I just couldn�t get them out at first! I found that the more I tried the more wound up I became so if after a few tries I couldn�t get it out I would relax, breath deeply and calm myself down and give my eye a rest for a minute before I tried again.

Is the optician sitting watching you while you try to take them out? Maybe if they are they it�s putting you under pressure and you could ask for a little time alone to get them out. Try and focus on what your doing, poking your eyes about isn�t natural so it�ll take time for your body to learn that what you�re doing is ok! Persevere and I�m sure it�ll come to you, I was convinced that I�d never get t right but now I can do it so easily. Contacts are great � don�t give up!

[teag1rl]

I agree. Can be a bit of a nightmare at first, and the more you try and fail the more wound up you get. I also had real problems getting the stupid things in and had to be prepared an hr before going out incase it took me ages and I needed rests in between goes. But as the other posts have said, it will come with practice and you will be amazed at how great they are. I've been wearing them for two years now and still have the odd blip where I can't get it right, but not often. I use daily disposables just for sport and nights out really. Infact I've still got last night's in-bad girl!

[shazbang]

For your right eye - Lift your upper eyelid with your left hand. Hold your lower lid down with the middle finger of your right hand. Put the index finger on your right hand on the contact lense and gently slide it across towards the outside of your eye, it should slide right out.

For your left eye swap hands so your right hand will be holding your upper eyelid.

It does take patience and practise. If your still having trouble though, why not try continuous wear lenses. I have them and got them through specsavers. I wear them 24hrs a day for 30 days. They're breathable lenses than enable you to sleep in them so you only change them once a month. I pay �15.50 a month for this. Its almost like I have my full eyesight back again. I'll never to back to dailies or monthlys. Good luck!

[manathu]

Thank you so much for all your answers. I feel much better now. I'll let you know how I manage on Monday.

[Clanad]

All the techniques described will help you, however, you may have slightly dry eyes, which is not uncommon. It often helps if you'll squirt a little saline solution or lens wetting drops in the eye before removing them. This lubricates the lens and tends to loosen it from the eye. A lot of people have difficulty removing the lenses after falling asleep with them still in. Studies have shown that people who view computer screens for long periods of time tend not to blink or blink rarely. This is a major cause for dry eyes. (I solved the problem by using a LCD screen.)
Technique wise, apparently pursing the mouth into a silent "O" helps, 'cause everyone does it...

[Pippa68]

I don't wear them myself, but I had to reply to this & say that everyone has given great advice to you.

My daughter started with hers last summer, & quite honestly neither of us believed she would get on with them she had so much hassle! couldn't get them in, then couldn't get them out etc etc. Anyway, she got it eventually & now can't remember having problems :o)

You will be the same, I am sure ~ good luck!