Talking About Optometry For Kids

A Guide To Getting And Wearing Contact Lenses For The First Time

5 August 2015

Amelia Dunn

If you are considering getting contact lenses for the first time, you want to know just what to expect so there are no surprises. Contact lenses do offer you a lot of benefits glasses don't, such as giving you the ability to wear your regular sunglasses with them, allowing you to keep your normal look while correcting your vision and even choosing colored contact lenses for a change. Learn about the process for getting contacts and how to use and care for them in this article.

Your eye exam

When you go in for your eye exam, the optometrist will check your vision and measure your eyes. This is done with a machine and you won't feel anything. After your exam, you will be given a prescription you can use to order prescription glasses and/or contact lenses. It's always a good idea to get glasses even if you get contact lenses. This way, you can wear your glasses when you don't feel like putting your lenses in or in case of an emergency.

Choosing your lenses

You will have some choices available to you when it comes to your contact lenses. You can get disposable ones, or ones intended for long term use. You can also choose colored ones that give the appearance that your eyes are a completely different color.

Trying the contacts on

The optometrist may have the right lenses on hand. If not, they will need to order them. Once the contacts are available, you will be taken to a sitting area with a mirror. You will be shown how to put your contact lenses in and take them out correctly. You'll be asked to do this a couple of times so you leave the office prepared to put them in and take them out with ease.

Wearing your contacts

In most cases, you can keep your contacts in all day. If they do start to irritate your eyes, you can take them out for a while and wear your glasses. Any time you take your contacts out, you want to put them in their case with soaking solution and leave them in the solution until the next time you put them in.

When you go to put the contacts in, you always want to use clean hands. Take the lenses one at a time and rinse then between your fingers with the cleaning solution. Leave a little solution in each contact to make it easier to put in your eye.

Now that you understand the process of getting and wearing contact lenses, you should feel better prepared for them. Talk to an optometrist, like Robert A. Marini, OD, if you have further questions about getting contacts.

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