Everything You Have To Know Before You Wear A Contact Lens

Soft Contact Lens Wearing Schedule
Day 1 = 4 Hours
Day 2 = 5 Hours
Day 3 = 6 Hours
Day 4 = 7 Hours
Day 5 = 8 Hours

It's recommended to wear only up to 8 hours.
Remember to clean and disinfect your lenses if they are stored more than 48 hours.
DO NOT RUSH YOUR WEARING TIME!
Never let soft contact lenses become dry. Never soak them in tap or distilled water.
If the lenses are uncomfortable after you insert them, remove them immediately.

Handling the Lenses

• Develop the habit of always working with the same lens first to avoid mixups.
• Remove the lens from its storage case and examine it to be sure that it is moist, clean, clear, and free of any nicks or tears. If the lens appears damaged, do not use it. Use the next lens in the multipack.

The Wrong Way To Put The Lens

The Right Way To Put The Lens

Placing The Lens On The Eye

Remember, start with your right eye. 
Once you have opened the lens package, removed and examined the lens, follow these steps to apply the lens to your eye:

1. Place the lens on the tip of your forefinger. BE SURE THE LENS IS CORRECTLY ORIENTED (see "Handling The Lenses").
2. Place the middle finger of the same hand close to your lower eyelashes and pull down the lower lid.
3. Use the forefinger or middle finger of the other hand to lift the upper lid.
4. Place the lens on the eye.
5. Gently release the lids and blink. The lens will center automatically.
6. Use the same technique when inserting the lens for your left eye.

Centering The Lens

A lens which is on the cornea will very rarely be displaced onto the white part of the eye during wear. This, however, can occur if insertion and removal procedures are not performed properly. To center a lens, follow either of these procedures:

1. Close your eyelids and gently massage the lens into place through the closed lids

                  OR

1. Gently manipulate the off-centered lens onto the cornea while the eye is opened, using finger pressure on the edge of the upper lid or lower lid

Removing The Lens

Always remove the same lens first.

1. Wash, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly.

CAUTION: Always be sure the lens is on the cornea before attempting to remove it. Determine this by covering the other eye. If vision is blurred, the lens is either on the white part of the eye or it is not on the eye at all. To locate the lens, inspect the upper area of the eye by looking down into a mirror while pulling the upper lid up. Then, inspect the lower area by pulling the lower lid down.

2. There are two recommended methods of lens removal: the Pinch Method and the Forefinger and Thumb Method. You should follow the method that was recommended by your eye care practitioner.

Pinch Method:

1. Look up, slide the lens to the lower part of the eye using the forefinger.
2. Gently pinch the lens between the thumb and forefinger.
3. Remove the lens.

Forefinger and Thumb Method:

1. Place your hand or towel under your eye to catch the lens.
2. Place your forefinger on the center of the upper lid and your thumb on the center of the lower lid.
3. Press in and force a blink. The lens should fall onto your hand or the towel.
4. Remove the other lens by following the same procedure.
5. Follow the required lens care procedures described under the heading, "Caring for Your Lenses (Cleaning, Rinsing, Disinfecting, Storage and Rewetting/ Lubricating)".

For safe contact lens wear, you should know and always practice your lens care routine:

• Always wash, rinse and dry hands before handling contact lenses.
• Always use fresh unexpired lens care solution.
• Use the recommended system of lens care, chemical (not heat), and carefully follow instructions on solution labeling. Different solutions cannot always be used together, and not all solutions are safe for use with all lenses. Do not alternate or mix lens care systems unless indicated on solution labeling.
• Always remove, clean, rinse and disinfect your lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care practitioner. The use of any cleaning solution does not substitute for disinfection.
• Do not use saliva or anything other than the recommended solutions for lubricating or rewetting your lenses. Do not put lenses in your mouth.
• Lenses prescribed on the frequent replacement program should be thrown away after the recommended wearing period prescribed by your eye care practitioner.
• Never rinse your lenses in water from the tap. There are two reasons for this:
  
  1. Tap water contains many impurities that can contaminate or damage your lenses and may lead to eye infection or injury.
  2. You might lose your lens down the drain.
• Your eye care practitioner should recommend a care system that is appropriate for your Contact Lens. Each lens care product contains specific directions for use and important safety information, which you should read and carefully follow.
• Clean one lens first (always the same lens first to avoid mixups), rinse the lens thoroughly with recommended saline or disinfecting solution to remove the cleaning solution, mucus and film from the lens surface. Follow the instructions provided in the cleaning solution labeling. Put that lens into the correct chamber of the lens storage case. Then repeat the procedure for the second lens.
• After cleaning, disinfect lenses using the system recommended by your eye care practitioner and/or the lens manufacturer. Follow the instructions provided in the disinfection solution labeling.
• To store lenses, disinfect and leave them in the closed/unopened case until ready to wear. If lenses are not to be used immediately following disinfection, you should consult the package insert or your eye care practitioner for information on storage of your lenses.
• Always keep your lenses completely immersed in a recommended disinfecting solution when the lenses are not being worn. If you discontinue wearing your lenses, but plan to begin wearing them again after a few weeks, ask your eye care practitioner for a recommendation on how to store your lenses.
• Contact Lenses cannot be heat (thermally) disinfected.
• After removing your lenses from the lens case, empty and rinse the lens storage case with solution(s) recommended by the lens case manufacturer; then allow the lens case to air dry. When the case is used again, refill it with fresh storage solution. Replace lens case at regular intervals.
• Your eye care practitioner may recommend a lubricating/rewetting solution for your use. Lubricating/rewetting solutions can be used to wet (lubricate) your lenses while you are wearing them to make them more comfortable.
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  2. Care For A Sticking (Non-moving)Lens
  If a lens sticks (stops moving) on your eye, apply a few drops of the recommended lubricating solution. You should wait until the lens begins to move freely on the eye before removing it. If non-movement of the lens continues, you should IMMEDIATELY consult your eye care practitioner.
  3. Chemical (Not Heat) Disinfection
  • Clean the contact lenses with a recommended cleaning solution and thoroughly rinse them with a recommended rinsing solution.
  • After cleaning, to disinfect, carefully follow the instructions accompanying the disinfecting solution in the care regimen recommended by the lens manufacturer or the eye care practitioner.
  • When using hydrogen peroxide lens care systems, lenses must be neutralized before wearing. Follow the recommendations on the hydrogen peroxide system labeling.
  • Thoroughly rinse lenses with a fresh solution recommended for rinsing before inserting and wearing, or follow the instructions on the disinfection solution labeling.
  • Do not heat the disinfection solution and lenses.
  • Leave the lenses in the unopened storage case until ready to put on the eyes.
  Caution: Lenses that are chemically disinfected may absorb ingredients from the disinfecting solution which may be irritating to the eyes. A thorough rinse in fresh sterile saline solution prior to placement on the eye should reduce the potential for irritation.
  4. Lens Case Cleaning and Maintenance
  Contact lens cases can be a source of bacteria growth. Lens cases should be emptied, cleaned, rinsed with solutions recommended by the lens case manufacturer and allowed to air dry. Lens cases should be replaced at regular intervals, as recommended by the lens case manufacturer or your eye care practitioner.
  5. Care For A Dehydrated Lens
  If a soft, hydrophilic contact lens is exposed to air while off the eye, it may become dry and brittle. If this happens, dispose of the lens and use a fresh new one.
  6. Emergencies
  If chemicals of any kind (household products, gardening solutions, laboratory chemicals, etc.) are splashed into your eyes: FLUSH EYES IMMEDIATELY WITH TAP WATER AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR EYE CARE PRACTITIONER OR VISIT A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM WITHOUT DELAY.
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