Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are small, round lenses that rest on top of your eyes to help you see clearly. They help in the same way glasses can, but you insert them into your eyes.

Contacts correct common refractive errors that make your vision blurry, including:

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Presbyopia
• Astigmatism

Millions of people wear contacts. They’re one of the most common medical devices. Contact lenses are simple to use once you get the hang of putting them in, wearing them and taking them out. But you can have an increased risk of eye infections if you don’t care for them correctly.

Talk to an eye doctor if you’re interested in trying contacts. They’ll suggest the kind that’s the best fit for you. They may also suggest contact lenses as a treatment for certain eye conditions.

Contact lens types

There are a few different types of contact lenses, including:

• Soft contacts: These are made of flexible plastic. Lots of people feel like they’re more comfortable than other types. You can get single-use soft lenses that you throw away after wearing once. Or you can get reusable soft contact lenses that you put in and take out each day. You’ll need to replace them after one to three months.
• Rigid gas permeable (GP) contacts: These are also known as hard contacts. They’re made of stiffer plastic than soft lenses. Eye doctors prescribe them to treat certain eye issues. You’ll insert and remove them each day. Most GP lenses last for a year or two before you need to replace them.
• Hybrid contacts: These are just like their name sounds. They’re a hybrid of soft and hard contacts. They have a hard center surrounded by soft plastic around the outside. You might need hybrid contacts if you have irregularly shaped corneas. You’ll reuse the same pair each day for around six months before replacing them.
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) contacts: These are special hard contacts that help reshape your eyes. Unlike most other contacts, you only wear them while you sleep. They also don’t have a vision prescription in them. They’re a bit like braces or a retainer for your eyes. They’ll gently squeeze your eyes into the correct shape while you sleep so you have clear vision during the next day after you take them out.
• Cosmetic contacts: These contacts don’t help you see. Instead, they have a decorative color, pattern or design on them. Even if they don’t change your vision, you should still get a prescription from an eye doctor to make sure they fit your eyes safely and correctly. Always buy cosmetic lenses from an eye doctor or reputable supplier. Don’t buy them at costume shops or anywhere else that doesn’t require a prescription.

Some contact lenses have other features that your eye doctor may suggest. For example, you may need toric lenses if you have astigmatism. Multifocal contacts have two or more prescriptions, just like bifocal glasses.

How do contacts work?

Contacts lenses work just like the lenses in eyeglasses. They bend or reshape light that enters your eyes to help you see clearly. The prescription is customized to your specific vision needs.

Your eye doctor will show you how to put in and take out your contact lenses safely. It can take some practice, especially at first.

Follow these steps for an example of how to insert soft lenses:

• Wash your hands. Never skip this step. It’s the best way to prevent eye infections.
• Hold one contact lens on the tip of your finger. Remove the contact from its case or packaging and make sure it’s not torn, folded or inside out. You might want to rinse it off with sterile contact solution (don’t use water). It’s usually easiest to balance the contact on the tip of your index finger.
• Open your upper eyelid. Gently hold your upper eyelid open with your opposite hand. This might feel strange or silly at first, but you’ll get used to it with practice. Make sure not to rub your eye or scratch it with your fingernails.
• Pull your lower eyelid down. Gently move your lower eyelid open. If you’re balancing the contact on your index finger, it’s usually easiest to do this with your middle finger.
• Insert your contact lens. Slowly move the lens toward your eye. Keep your eye still and level. Imagine you’re looking “through” your finger and the contact as they approach. Very gently touch the contact to your eye. It should stick without you needing to press hard.
• Release your eyelids. Don’t blink until you’re sure the contact is in place. It might help to tilt your head to look down before you blink.

Removing contacts is a similar process, but in reverse:

• Wash your hands. Again, never skip this step. Even if you’re wearing daily lenses you’re going to throw out. Always wash and rinse your hands before touching your eyes and contacts.
• Pull down your lower lid. It’ll probably be easiest to use your middle finger.
• Gently touch your contact lens with your index finger. Lightly touch it and move it down to break its seal on your eye.
• Pinch the lens between your finger and thumb. Grab the contact between your thumb and index finger. It shouldn’t take a lot of force or pulling. It might help to look slightly upward while you do this.
• Store your lenses correctly. Put your contacts in a clean case that's full of the right kind of solution. Never store your contacts in water or anything other than their case. If you have disposable lenses, throw them in the trash.

It may take practice to get used to touching your eye. But once you get the hang of it, this process should become second nature. Try to put your contacts in before you put any makeup, lotion or cosmetics on your face. That’s the best way to prevent those products from getting on your contacts or in your eyes.

It’s normal to feel a little discomfort when you first start wearing contacts. But they shouldn’t make your eyes hurt. If they do, take them out and talk to your eye doctor.

Complications of wearing contacts

Contacts are safe. But you’ll have an increased risk of eye infections and inflammation, especially if you’re not always washing your hands before touching your eyes or contact lenses.

Other complications are rare but can include:

• Keratitis
• Scratched corneas
• Red eye
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Your eye doctor will tell you how often you’ll need exams to make sure your eyes are adjusting to wearing contacts. They’ll also tweak your prescription if needed.

Visit your eye doctor right away if you notice any signs of an eye infection, including:

• Eye pain that gets worse or lasts for more than a day
• Itching or burning
• Red eye
• Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision, especially if it appears suddenly
• Watery eyes or discharge coming from your eyes
• A buildup of crust or pus on your eyelids or lashes