Inserting contact lenses for the first time feels awkward, but the process itself is simple once you get past your eye’s natural reflex to blink. Most beginners can comfortably insert and remove lenses within a few practice sessions, and the initial “lens awareness” fades within 10 to 12 days of regular wear.
Start With Clean, Dry Hands
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses. Use a soap without added oils or fragrances, as those can stick to the lens surface and irritate your eyes. Rinse well, then dry your hands with a lint-free towel. Stray fibers from a regular towel can cling to wet fingers and transfer onto the lens, causing that annoying gritty feeling once it’s in your eye.
Always handle your lenses over a clean, flat surface. If you drop one, rinse it with fresh contact lens solution before trying again. Never rinse a lens with tap water. Water can cause soft lenses to swell, change shape, and stick to your eye, scratching the cornea. Tap water also carries a particularly dangerous organism called Acanthamoeba that can cause a severe, painful eye infection sometimes requiring over a year of treatment.
Check That the Lens Isn’t Inside Out
An inside-out lens won’t damage your eye, but it will feel uncomfortable and won’t correct your vision properly. Before every insertion, place the lens on your fingertip and hold it up at eye level so you can see its profile from the side.
A correctly oriented lens looks like a small cup with edges pointing straight up. An inside-out lens looks more like a rimmed bowl, with edges flaring outward. If you’re not sure, try the taco test: gently squeeze the lens between your thumb and index finger as if folding it in half. If the edges curl inward toward each other like a taco shell, it’s right side out. If they bend outward toward your fingers, flip the lens.
Some lenses have additional built-in guides. Look for laser-etched numbers (often “123”) near the edge. If the numbers read correctly, you’re good. If they appear backward, the lens is inverted. Other brands use a tinted edge that looks brighter when the lens is correctly oriented and faded when it’s flipped.
Step-by-Step Insertion
Place the lens on the tip of your index or middle finger on your dominant hand. Make sure there’s minimal solution pooled under the lens, as too much liquid can make it slide around.
Use the middle or ring finger of that same hand (whichever finger isn’t holding the lens) to gently pull down your lower eyelid. With your other hand, use a finger to lift your upper eyelid. This keeps both lids open and gives you a clear target. Look straight ahead or slightly upward.
Slowly bring the lens toward your eye and place it directly on the colored part (the iris). Once it makes contact, it will naturally adhere to the moisture on your eye. Release your lower lid first, then your upper lid. Look down gently to help the lens settle into position, then blink a few times. The lens should center itself.
If your eye keeps closing before the lens gets there, you’re not alone. The blink reflex is strong, especially the first few times. The key is holding both eyelids open firmly enough that blinking isn’t possible. Some people find it easier to look slightly to the side while placing the lens, then shift their gaze forward once it’s on.
If the Lens Feels Uncomfortable
A little awareness of the lens is completely normal for the first week or two. You may notice extra blinking and more tearing than usual. These symptoms are temporary and typically fade after a few wears. If discomfort persists beyond two weeks or suddenly gets worse, that points to a problem with the lens fit, a tear in the lens, or an underlying eye issue.
Sharp or stinging pain right after insertion usually means something is trapped under the lens, like a tiny fiber or an eyelash. Remove the lens, rinse it with solution, and reinsert. If a lens consistently feels scratchy, inspect it for small tears or nicks by holding it up to the light. Damaged lenses should be discarded.
Build Up Your Wearing Time Gradually
Your eyes need time to adjust. Start by wearing your lenses for just a few hours on the first day, then add an hour or two each day over the course of a week or so. This gradual ramp-up lets your corneas adapt without becoming overly dry or irritated. Jumping straight to a full day of wear often leads to redness and soreness by evening, which can discourage new wearers.
Lenses Before Makeup
If you wear cosmetics, always insert your lenses before applying any makeup. This prevents powder, pigment, or cream from getting trapped between the lens and your eye. When you’re done for the day, reverse the order: remove your lenses first, then cleanse your face and remove makeup. This keeps makeup remover and loose particles away from your lenses and eyes.
Cleaning and Storing Your Lenses
Unless you’re using daily disposables, you need to clean and store your lenses after each use. Use only the solution recommended by your eye care provider. Never top off old solution in your case; dump it out, rub and rinse each lens with fresh solution, then fill the case with new solution before placing the lenses inside.
If you use a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning system, the solution must fully neutralize before you put the lenses back in your eyes. These systems come with a special case containing a neutralizing disc. Skipping this step or cutting the soaking time short means placing peroxide directly on your eye, which causes intense burning. Always follow the timing on the product label exactly.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Four symptoms should prompt you to remove your lenses immediately: redness, unusual discharge, blurred vision, and pain. Eye care professionals use the acronym RSVP (redness, secretion, vision changes, pain) as a quick checklist. If the symptom goes away after removal, clean the lens and try reinserting. If the symptom persists with the lens out, or returns the moment you put the lens back in, leave the lens out and contact your eye care provider.