How to Put in Contact Lenses

How to put in (or put on) contact lenses

Whether you call it putting in contacts or putting on contacts, the moves are the same. So are the hygiene habits that keep your eyes healthy. Even people who've worn contact lenses for years fumble a lens now and then, so a slow start is normal. This guide walks through three ways to put in a lens, how to take one back out, and the safety rules that matter most.

Different methods for putting in contacts

The easiest way to put in contacts may vary from person to person. Essentially, it's what you're most comfortable with. Here's how to insert contact lenses in a few different ways:

Place the lens directly over your iris

"When my patients ask how to put in contacts, I always tell them that there is a process that starts before you actually put the physical contact in your eye," says Dr. Wende. He recommends the following steps:

1.Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean, lint-free cotton towel.

2.Gently move your contact lens case back and forth to separate the lens from the edges of the container.

3.Pick up the lens with your index finger and slide it to your fingertip.

4.Inspect the lens for tearing and make sure it isn't inside out. The lens should be in a perfect bowl shape. If it has flared edges or looks uneven, it's probably inside out and needs to be inverted.

5.Hold your upper eyelid open with your opposite hand (the one not handling the lens). Now hold your lower eyelid down with the middle or ring finger on the hand that is handling the lens.

6.Focus on your finger as you place the lens directly on your iris (the colored part of your eye).

7.Let go of your upper and lower eyelids.

8.Rotate your eye in a circular motion and blink a few times to help guide the lens in place. Take a moment to ensure it feels comfortable. (If it's uncomfortable, you may need to remove it and start over).

9.Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Look away from your finger

1.Follow steps 1-5 in the first method.

2.Place the lens on your iris, but do so with your gaze away from your finger. You can look straight ahead, up toward the ceiling, or off to the side to avoid looking directly at the lens.

3.Let go of your upper and lower eyelids.

4.Rotate your eye in a circular motion and blink to move the lens in place. Take a moment to ensure it feels comfortable. (If it doesn't, you may need to start over).

5.Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Place the lens on the white of your eye

1.Follow steps 1-5 in the first method.

2.Instead of positioning the lens directly on your iris, place it in the corner, on the white part of your eye. Then gently slide it over your iris.

3.Look up, down, left, and right to move the contact to the correct place on your eye. You may need to loosen the hold on your eyelids (or let go of them) to do this successfully.

4.Rotate your eye in a circular motion and blink to secure the lens in place. Take a moment to ensure it feels comfortable. (If it doesn't, you may need to remove the contact lens and start over).

5.Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Tips for putting in contacts for beginners

Contacts can feel a little intimidating to put in, especially if you've never done it before. Below are a few tips that can help you master the process:

Always wash your hands before handling contacts

It may seem like a given, but washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is a very important step when it comes to handling your lenses. Dirty fingers can transfer bacteria to your lenses and eyes, which could potentially lead to an eye infection.

Trim your fingernails

If you have longer fingernails, you may want to trim them short as you get used to putting in your contacts. You can scratch your eye with long nails, which can delay the learning process in addition to causing damage or discomfort.

Put the same lens in first each time

Most people start with their right eye. Pick 1 eye and put that lens in first, every time. A consistent order means you're never left guessing which lens you already handled. That helps most when your prescription differs between eyes, or you're juggling 2 lens types at once. It matters even more with toric lenses — lenses shaped to correct astigmatism. Each one is ground for one specific eye, so swapping them can blur your vision. Label your case "right" and "left," and always open the same side first. Within a couple of weeks, it becomes muscle memory.

How to stop yourself from blinking when putting in contacts

It can be difficult not to blink as you begin the process of putting in your contacts. But there are some tricks to avoiding this, such as:

•Take deep breaths to help you relax. It's natural to blink when you're nervous, but try to stay focused and calm during the process.

•Hold your eyelid steady with the hand you're not using to insert the contact lens. This will help provide stability and reduce the urge to blink.

•Avoid looking directly at the lens on your finger. Look away as you place the lens on your eye, then move your eye in each direction to help guide it in place.

First-time contact lens wearers are bound to have some questions and even fears about handling their lenses. Your eye care professional can guide you through your concerns and teach you helpful tips and tricks to putting in contacts.

How to wear contacts safely

Proper handling and hygiene are crucial for contact lenses. Mishandled lenses can cause complications such as bacterial contamination, eye infection and other issues. Here's what ContactsDirect® recommends remembering when you wear them:

•Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses or touching your eyes.

•Don't wear contacts if you have an eye injury, irritation or an infection such as conjunctivitis (pink eye).

•Clean your contacts and lens case with the appropriate cleaning solutions. Tap water, saliva, used or old solution, and unapproved cleaning products can be harmful to your eyes.

•Don't sleep in your contacts unless they are a type approved to wear overnight. Lenses not approved for overnight wear carry a significantly higher risk of corneal infection if you sleep in them. [1]

•Avoid wearing your contacts in or around water. Bacteria found in swimming pools, lakes, hot tubs and even the water from your shower can cling to your lenses. Water exposure is a leading risk factor for a rare but serious corneal infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. [2]

If you have additional questions, be sure to reach out to your eye care provider. They can help with your personal needs and answer questions about your particular lenses.

How to take out contacts

If you've ever worried about pinching your own eye, you're not alone — it's one of the most common first-time worries. The process for taking contacts out is a little different from putting them in. Some people find it easier to gently "pinch" their lenses out of their eyes. For others, the very thought causes some anxiety. Here's how to remove contact lenses without pinching:

1.Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean, lint-free cotton towel.

2.Hold your lower eyelid down with the middle or ring finger on the hand removing the lens. Hold your upper eyelid open with your opposite hand (the one not handling the lens).

3.Gently place your "handling" finger on the bottom edge of the contact.

4.Look up and carefully move the lens from your iris to the outer corner of your eye.

5.Collect the lens from the corner of your eye using your thumb and index finger.

6.Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Frequently asked questions about inserting contact lenses

Contact lens insertion can be tricky, especially if you're new to the process. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about contact lens wear:

How long does it take to put contacts in for the first time?

The first few times you put in or put on contact lenses will likely take longer, which is normal. It's a learning experience and many people need time to get comfortable with touching their eyes. Remember to stay calm, remind yourself that you'll get the hang of it, and don't be afraid to ask your eye doctor questions.

Can a contact lens get lost in your eye?

While a contact lens may become temporarily stuck beneath your eyelid, it can't get lost behind your eye. A thin membrane called the conjunctiva connects the inside of your eyelid to the white of your eyeball. It seals that space off, so a lens can't slip behind your eye.

How long can you wear contact lenses?

You should always follow the contact lens wear and use guidelines provided by your eye doctor.

Some contacts are designed for daily use and should be discarded after each day of wear, so you always start with a fresh lens. Many dailies also use a breathable material called silicone hydrogel, which lets more oxygen reach your eye. Others are designed for monthly use. These need proper cleaning and storage after each wear, then you toss them at the end of the month. Certain types of contacts are approved for overnight use.

No matter what type of lens you wear, it can be harmful to your eyes if you overuse them. Don't continue wearing your contact lenses if they are expired, dirty, torn, or damaged in any way.

Is there a difference between putting in a hard or soft contact lens?

Hard and soft contact lenses are similar as far as the insertion process goes. But you should always check with your eye doctor for specific care guidelines.

Some people find hard lenses easier to handle and remove than soft ones. Hard lenses are gas-permeable, which means the rigid material itself lets oxygen reach your eye. Again, be sure to consult your eye doctor to determine which lenses are right for you.

In general, hard contacts can take a little longer to get used to and can be less comfortable initially compared to soft lenses. However, they often last longer than soft contacts because they tend to be more durable.

Everyone's experience with contact lenses is a little different. If you have questions about putting in or taking out your contacts, have trouble doing so, or need more information about your lenses, your eye care professional is the best resource for guidance specific to you.

When you're ready to restock, ContactsDirect offers free shipping and accepts your FSA/HSA dollars on every order. A gentle cleaning solution is worth keeping on hand, too, no matter which lens type you choose.

Sources

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — sleeping in contact lenses, even occasionally, is linked to a significantly higher risk of microbial keratitis (a corneal infection) compared with lenses removed nightly.

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — water exposure (swimming, showering, hot tubs, lakes) while wearing contact lenses is a leading risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious corneal infection.September 30, 2026