Inserting and removing contact lenses is a frustrating and uncomfortable experience for some people. Contact lenses are a convenient and effective alternative to eyeglasses for vision correction. But, they do require some skill and practice to handle properly.

One of the main causes of discomfort is using the fingers.

Here is the guideline that all contact lenses users get.

Inserting Contact Lenses:

1. Gently pull down your lower eyelid with your finger. Use the other hand finger to hold the contact lens between your thumb and forefinger.
2. Carefully place the contact lens on the tip of your index finger and examine it to make sure it is not inside out.
3. Position the lens on your eye by looking upward and gently placing the lens on your cornea with your finger.
4. Use your finger to gently smooth out any wrinkles in the lens and to center it on your eye.

Removing Contact Lenses:

1. Look upward and use your index finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid with your finger.
2. Use your middle finger to slide the lens down to the bottom of your eye.
3. Use your index finger to gently remove the lens from the bottom of your eye.

A lot of “fingers”.

Never handle lenses with dirty fingers. They can scratch the eye or cause infections. It is important to handle the lenses gently, and to use clean fingers when inserting and removing them.

“Clean fingers” does not mean just washing the hands. Clean fingers mean almost complete disinfection to be 100% safe.  

Now imagine everyday situations like being outdoors, on a commute, concert venue, traveling… any situation where it is not possible to disinfect the fingers.

The other reason for discomfort is dryness

The eyes can feel dry and scratchy after the lenses have been removed. This will happend if lenses are worn for extended period of time. To combat dryness, it is important to use lubricating drops before and after inserting and removing the lenses.

In some cases, the type of contact lens can also cause discomfort. Hard contact lenses, for example, can be more prone to causing discomfort than soft contact lenses. This is because hard contact lenses are more rigid and do not conform to the shape of the eye as well as soft lenses. This can make them more difficult to insert and remove.

Finally, some people may simply have a hard time getting used to the feeling of wearing contact lenses. This is especially true for people who have never worn contacts before… or, for those who have not worn them in a long time. With practice and patience, however, most people get used to wearing contacts.

Overall, discomfort during insertion and removal of contact lenses is a common issue. But, it can often be managed or prevented with proper lens care and handling. And also, by using lubricating drops and taking other precautions to keep the eyes moist.

At Colsia, we are developing a device, which will eliminate the discomfort. Stay tuned. We will be on Kickstarter soon!