How to Put in Contact Lenses

Putting in contact lenses can be tricky, whether or not you’re new to contact lens wear. Below, we’ve outlined some methods for putting in contact lenses, taking them out, and what to remember along the way to help ensure they’re used safely and effectively.

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:

Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean, lint-free cotton towel
Gently move your contact lens case back and forth to separate the lens from the edges of the container.
Pick up the lens with your index finger and slide it to your fingertip.
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.
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.
Focus on your finger as you place the lens directly on your iris (the colored part of your eye).
Let go of your upper and lower eyelids.
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).
Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Look Away from Your Finger

Follow steps 1-5 in the previous section.
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.
Let go of your upper and lower eyelids.
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).
Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Place the Lens on the White of Your Eye

Follow steps 1-5 in the previous section.
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.
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.
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).
Rotate your eye in a circular motion 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).
Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Tips for Putting in Contacts for Beginners

Putting in contacts can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re new to wearing them. 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

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. Mishandling them can cause complications such as bacterial contamination, eye infection, and other issues. Here are some things to remember when wearing contacts:

Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses or touching your eyes.
Don’t wear contacts if you have an eye injury, infection, or irritation.
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. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of developing eye infections.
Avoid wearing your contacts in or around water. Bacteria found in swimming pools, lakes, hot tubs, and even the water from your shower can harm your eyes. These bacteria may cling to your lenses, which also increases the risk of developing an infection.

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

Taking out contacts is a little different from putting them in. Some people find it easier to gently “pinch” their lenses out of their eyes, but the very thought of this can cause anxiety in others. Follow these tips to remove contact lenses without pinching:

Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean, lint-free cotton towel.
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).
Gently place your “handling” finger on the bottom edge of the contact.
Look up and carefully move the lens from your iris to the outer corner of your eye.
Collect the lens from the corner of your eye using your thumb and index finger.
Repeat the same process for your other eye.

Frequently Asked Questions About Inserting Contact Lenses

Putting in contact lenses 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 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 membrane that connects the lid to the eyeball prevents this from happening.

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. Others are designed for monthly use, requiring proper cleaning and storage after each wear and disposal 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 removing and handling hard (gas-permeable) contact lenses to be more convenient than soft lenses. 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, don’t hesitate to reach out to your eye care professional.

July 23, 2025