Updated: January 21, 2026
To put in contact lenses, wash and dry your hands, place the lens on your fingertip like a smooth bowl, and gently set it on your eye while holding your eyelids open. Inserting lenses correctly helps prevent irritation and reduces the chance of putting a lens in inside out. If your eyes feel dry, using rewetting drops labeled safe for contact lenses can make insertion more comfortable.
Quick Steps:
- Wash hands with soap and water and dry with a lint-free towel, then work in front of a mirror in good light.
- Remove one lens and place it on your fingertip; confirm it looks like a smooth bowl with edges straight up (not flared out).
- Hold your upper lid open to prevent blinking and pull down the lower lid, then look straight ahead or slightly upward.
- Gently place the lens on the eye, release your lids slowly, and blink a few times to help it center.
- If the lens feels uncomfortable, remove it, rinse with the correct solution (or discard if it’s a daily), and try again rather than forcing it.
Most people can insert contacts comfortably with clean hands, correct lens orientation, and gentle eyelid control, and persistent pain or redness should be checked promptly.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References:
How to Insert and Remove Contact Lenses. American Optometric Association (AOA). https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/contact-lenses/how-to-insert-and-remove-contacts. Updated July 2024.
How to Take Care of Contact Lenses. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-care. Updated April 22, 2022.
About Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Storing Contact Lenses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/about/about-cleaning-disinfecting-and-storing-contact-lenses.html. Updated May 27, 2025.
