{"id":17810,"date":"2021-10-05T07:46:50","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T07:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=17810"},"modified":"2021-10-05T07:48:08","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T07:48:08","slug":"5-tips-for-hard-contact-lenses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-contact-lenses\/guide-to-hard-contact-lenses\/5-tips-for-hard-contact-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Hard Contact Lenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hard contact lenses are often the best contact option, especially if you have an irregular cornea, high prescription or dry eyes.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Hard contact lenses<\/a> are rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contacts with a rigid design made of a durable plastic material (typically silicone).<\/p>\n

RGP contacts are stiffer than conventional lenses, yet they help the eye receive more oxygen than do soft lenses.<\/p>\n

You might assume that wearing these lenses is uncomfortable, but it normally only feels uncomfortable when you first put them on or if you get debris in your lenses.<\/p>\n

In general, contact lens wear can increase your risk of eye infection. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to greatly reduce this risk.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Tips for inserting a hard contact lenses\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. To avoid confusion, always insert the same contact lens first.<\/li>\n
  2. Hands should be washed thoroughly with mild perfume-free soap and water and dried with a lint-free towel or cloth.<\/li>\n
  3. Remove your contact lens from its case and set it on your dominant hand’s index finger.<\/li>\n
  4. Look for any tears, rips, or debris on the lens.<\/li>\n
  5. Rinse the lens with a saline solution that is clear.<\/li>\n
  6. Hold your upper eyelid towards your eyebrow with your non-dominant hand’s middle finger to prevent your eyelashes from getting in the way.<\/li>\n
  7. Pull your lower eyelid down with your dominant hand’s middle finger.<\/li>\n
  8. Slowly bring the RGP lens toward your eye and gently place it on the cornea of your eye, while looking straight ahead.<\/li>\n
  9. Blink multiple times to ensure the lens stays in its correct location, this also allows tears to flow under the lens adding a cushion of comfort.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n