For new contact lens wearers, or people who want a refresher, here are our simple, easy to follow steps for applying contact lenses.

1. Most important, wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly before touching or removing your contact lenses.

2. Prepare a clean surface or, if you are standing over the sink, make sure you put a plug in the drain.

3. When wearing monthly replaced lenses place your storage case in front of you, left and right, to avoid mixing up your left and right contact lens prescription. They usually are different powers. Start with the same lens each time to avoid switching the lenses by mistake.

4. For both daily disposable and monthly replaced lenses, remove one of the lenses from its container by pouring it into the palm of your hand.

5. Using your dominant hand place your contact lens on the tip of your middle or index finger.

6. Look for any damage to the lens and check it is the right-side up like a cup with the edges turned up. Flip the lens over if the lens looks like a cap.

7. As you look in the mirror, hold your upper eyelid open with your other hand. At the same time, hold down your lower eyelid with your middle or ring finger of your dominant hand.

8. Now, as you look in the mirror, place the contact lens on your eye.

9. Shut your eyes slowly and roll them around to position the lens. Then, once your lens is settled in place, open your eyes, and blink a couple of times. Do a final check in the mirror to see that your contact lens is in the middle of your eye.

10. When your contact lens is in place, your eye will feel comfortable, and your vision will be clear. Repeat the process for the other eye.

11. If your eye feels uncomfortable or vision is not clear, take the contact lens out and start the process again. If your eye continues to feel uncomfortable, poor vision or looks red, contact us for an appointment.