How to use contact lenses

There is no specific contact lens that’s best for astigmatism, however there are some that may work better than others.

• Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to treat astigmatism. We offer a variety of toric lenses at low prices, including Coopervision Biofinity Toric, discounted Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, and Proclear Toric.
• Rigid gas permeable lenses may also work well for those with astigmatism. These contact lenses are more durable than soft contact lenses and allow oxygen to pass through for comfortable all-day wear.

The expiration of your contact lenses is listed on the box. The nice thing about contacts is that their expiration date is typically close to five years after the date of manufacture, making it easy for you to buy in bulk online.

If your contact lenses are so dry that they seem impossible to remove from your eyes, you should rehydrate them with rewetting drops. If no rewetting drops are available to you, use an approved saline solution to flush the eyes. Once your lenses are rehydrated, you can gently remove them from your eyes.

To take out contact lenses, follow these steps:

1. Fill both wells of your case with fresh solution.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Remove the lens from your left eye with your right thumb and index finger. You may want to use your left hand to stretch the upper and lower eyelids to make this easier.
4. Place the lens in the left well of the case and screw on the lid.
5. Repeat with the right eye, using your opposite hand to remove the lens.

To put in contact lenses:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Dry your hands.
3. Remove the left lens cap from your contact lens case.
4. Gently pick up the lens with your thumb and index finger.
5. Place the contact lens on your index finger. Make sure it’s not flipped inside out.
6. Rinse with proper solution.
7. Gently place the lens directly on your eye. You can either place it on the iris or on the white of your eye.
8. Close your eyes and blink a few times to center the lens.
9. Repeat with the right contact lens.

To put in contact lenses:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Dry your hands.
3. Remove the left lens cap from your contact lens case.
4. Gently pick up the lens with your thumb and index finger.
5. Place the contact lens on your index finger. Make sure it’s not flipped inside out.
6. Rinse with proper solution.
7. Gently place the lens directly on your eye. You can either place it on the iris or on the white of your eye.
8. Close your eyes and blink a few times to center the lens.
9. Repeat with the right contact lens.

If you’ve dropped a contact lens, you know how stressful it can be. Fortunately, contact lenses are slightly tinted to improve their visibility in such instances. Here are a few steps to help locate a visibility tinted contact lens:

1. Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
2. Remember the color of your tinted lens: Is is it blue or green?
3. Keep this color in your mind as you scan the immediate area. You may even wish to say the color over and over again in your mind.
4. Try to filter out any other colors and concentrate on your tint color, blue or green.
5. Remember that freshly-dropped lenses are relatively sticky, so be sure to look at the undersides of things as well as walls, panels, etc.

Once you find your lens, be sure to clean it and rinse it well before inserting it in your eye. You should not insert the lens if it has fallen into a high-bacterial area such as the inside of a sink drain or a dirty floor. Instead, either replace the lens or disinfect it again before wearing.

How long your lenses last depends on the type of contacts you have. There are daily, biweekly and monthly contact lenses available. Talk to your ECP to find out which type is best for you.

It depends on your eyes. Wearing contacts and glasses at the same time is not a typical condition. Ask your OD or ECP for specifics.

It’s not a good idea. Blepharitis is an eye condition that causes the eyelids to become chronically irritated. There are two forms of blepharitis — anterior and posterior. Anterior blepharitis affects the outside of the lids, where lashes are located. The posterior form of blepharitis affects the inner eyelid and is caused by a disorder of the oil glands within. In both forms of blepharitis, symptoms include general irritation, flaking of the eyelid skin, redness and dry-eye sensations. Therefore, this condition may affect your ability to wear contact lenses.