Safe Handling of Soft Contact Lenses For Kids
Dr. Carolyn MacNeil, B.Sc., O.D.
Inserting a Soft Contact Lens
Step One: Have all of your supplies ready!
Contact lenses, mirror, lint-free towel, saline to rinse lenses (if needed). Open the contact lens case or blister packs. Both the parent and child should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel. Do not allow water to come in contact with your contact lenses as this can cause serious eye infections.
Step Two: Let’s get the lens!
Use your index finger to gently scoop the contact lens out of the case/blister pack and inspect the lens for any tears or debris.
Step Three: Check to make sure your contact lens isn’t inside out.
Place the contact lens, so it is curved like a bowl, on the tip of your index finger and use the “Taco Test”. You can also check that the edge of the lens makes a U Shape. If the edge of the lens flares out to make a V Shape, then the lens is inside out.
Step Four:
Place the contact lens on the tip of your index finger of the hand that you will be using for insertion. If needed, you can put a drop of saline solution onto the contact lens prior to insertion.
Step Five:
Use the first finger on your other hand to hold your upper eyelid open to prevent blinking.
For Parents:
If your child requires help with insertion, ask them to look down and use the hand that is not holding the contact lens to gently pull up the upper lid and hold it in place.
Step Six:
Use the middle finger on the hand that is holding the contact lens to hold down your/your child’s lower eyelid.
Step Seven: Time to put the lens on your eye.
Move the lens towards your/your child’s eye until it touches the eye and gently press it on the surface.
Step Eight: Release one eyelid at a time and gently blink.
Or check out this MiSight Insertion and Removal Video!
Removing a Soft Contact Lens
Step One:
Both the parent and child should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
Step Two:
Use the same technique as Step Six on insertion to lift and hold the upper eyelid out of the way.
Step Three:
Look into a mirror and place the finger of your opposite hand gently, but firmly, on the surface of the lens and slide it down onto the lower white part of your eye. Tilting your chin slightly downwards during this process will create more space to remove the contact lens.
For Parents: Ask your child to look slightly up and place the middle finger of your free hand gently, but firmly, on the surface of the lens and slide it down onto the lower white part of their eye.
Step Four:
Gently pinch the lens between your first finger and thumb to remove it from the eye.
Let’s Help You Out!
Practice makes perfect- but sometimes there can be hiccups during the process! Here are a few common issues that patients may experience while learning how to handle soft contact lenses.
The lens doesn’t stay on my eye and sticks to my finger.
Solution: Make sure that your hands are very dry - the contact lens may stick to your finger because of excess solution on your hand. Prior to insertion, check that all edges of the lens are lifted off of your fingertip. Also, try not to remove your finger from the surface of the eye too quickly.
The lens seems to hurt when I blink.
Solution: Take the lens out and inspect it to ensure it’s not inside out. A contact lens will be uncomfortable if it is inserted backwards. Rinse the lens with saline or an artificial tear before inserting again. Also, check for any debris that may need to be removed from the lens.
I can’t get the lens off of the surface of my / my child’s eye!
Solution: Try using a drop of an artificial tear (ie. Blink for Contacts, Systane Ultra) once or twice in the eye before trying to remove the lens again. Ensure that your hands are very dry and be patient.
My eyes keep closing!
Solution: Stay calm - it’s natural to be a bit nervous about touching the contact lens on the surface of your eye while learning to handle contact lenses. Practice holding your eyelids open and be sure to have a firm grip on the upper eyelid. Take deep breaths and focus your attention on keeping BOTH eyes open.
I’m having trouble “pinching” or “gripping” the lens!
Solution: Try placing your thumb and finger slightly further apart on the lens during removal. It also helps to slide the lens onto the lower white part of your eye to weaken the suction between the lens and the surface of your eye.
Help- the contact lens ripped when I took it out and I only can find one piece!
Solution: Ask an adult to look at your eye and hold up the lid to find the missing piece of contact lens. You can use an artificial tear to flush the eye a few times. Contact your optometrist for an appointment- we are happy to help find that missing piece!
Be patient with yourself while learning this new skill. It will become easier with time and practice! Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to book an appointment for a quick refresher lesson on insertion and removal.