Since they first entered the scene in the 1940s, contact lenses have come a long way. Today’s contacts are so comfortable and wearer-friendly that around 45 million Americans choose them.
Whether you plan to wear your contact lenses daily or just want an alternative when your glasses aren’t ideal — like when you’re playing sports or on a rainy day — they can be a game-changer. They don’t block your face or interfere with your peripheral vision, and they can work seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Once you get used to them, that is.
Adjusting to your contact lenses gets easier when you have the right ones, and we can help with that. At our locations throughout the Bronx and in Brooklyn, NY, Markiel Yakubov, O.D., and our Elite Eye Care team work with you to find the right contact lenses for your eyes and your lifestyle. From there, we can help you get used to wearing them.
We have five tips to help there.
#1: Stick with it
Putting a foreign object in your eye feels wild at first. But the more you do it, the more normal it will feel. You’ll reach a point where putting your contact lenses in and taking them out feels as normal as brushing your teeth.
The thing is: you’ll reach that point much more quickly if you wear your contacts regularly. It might be tempting to go back to your glasses, but most people get used to wearing their contacts within about a week of consistent wear.
#2: Check them before wearing them
You shouldn’t feel your contact lens once it’s in your eye. If you do, it could result from a tear in your lens.
To make sure you don’t head out into your day with a lens that could bother you, quickly check your lenses before putting them in. Look for any tears or irregularities in the contact lens.
#3: Make sure you’re putting them in the right way
Your contact lenses are specifically shaped to fit the curvature of your eye. That means they have a certain way to rest on your cornea.
With soft contact lenses, they can get turned inside-out. If you put them in like this, they won’t mold to your eye the way they’re supposed to. You’ll probably feel them, and your vision won’t be as clear, too.
When you look at your lens, it should have a consistent curve. If the edges look like they’re flipped out, the lens is likely inside-out. If you have any questions, Dr. Yakubov can help you tell the difference.
#4: Keep them clean
To ensure you don’t get any debris in your eye, always wash your hands before putting your contact lenses in or taking them out.
Also, make sure you’re putting the lenses in a contact solution when you take them out. Dr. Yakubov can recommend a solution to keep your lenses disinfected and hydrated.
You should also clean and replace your contact lens case regularly.
#5: Talk with us
If your contact lenses don’t feel comfortable, you might need a different lens. Dr. Yakubov and our team can explore multiple options with you to ensure you find the best lens for your unique eyes.
Once you find the right contact lenses and get used to them, you should be able to forget you’re wearing them. For help picking contact lenses and adjusting to them, call the Elite Eye Care office nearest you or book an appointment online today.