The FastDay Forum

[carieoates]

Just got some contact lenses, it's great, not having to wear glasses. But now I'm scared that I won't be able to get them out after my 2hr taster session. What a palaver, I was absolutely rubbish at getting them out, " doesn't help that you've got long nails" said the putter inner and taker outer instruction man. "I only had them done this morning" I said. Pft..............

What a mess I looked when we'd finished, mascara everywhere, blood shot eyes, red nose, runny nose. Hilarious.

Please tell me I'm going to get easier.
Any tips greatfully received.

[carorees]

Yes it does get easier. I do find that when my nails are very long I sometimes have a bit of a problem but mostly its v easy. What I do is to use my second finger just below my lower eyelid to pull the lower eyelid down, then place my thumb and forefinger of that hand on either side of my eyeball, pushing down slightly on the lower eyelid, then bring my thumb and forefinger together to 'pinch' the contact lens off the eye releasing the suction that keeps the lens on the eye. Sometimes I have to repeat the pinching action a few times. It's hard to explain! But you will get the hang of it. Look up at the ceiling at the same time to encourage your eye to be more open. I think that you get used to touching your eyeball with time and so don't flinch away. My OH is always amazed when he sees me putting in or taking out my lenses as he can't cope with touching his eye at all (what a wimp!).

I've been wearing contacts for almost 30 years. I'll try to explain how I do it. I use the same side hand (left eye/left hand) to push on the bottom lid and then I take my other hand and put it over my head and put my middle fingers over the lashes. Then I push up with the bottom and down with the top and it pops out. I hope you can get what I mean!

[janeg]

agree that is does get easier! try and relax about it and take your time. Best piece of advice I was given was to do it without a mirror as you won't always have one handy. Stick with it as it's such a release from spex.

[carieoates]

Ok guys, I'm taking my ipad up to my ensuite in a mo to get going on removal. Will give it a go see what comes naturally then try all your ways. I will start with the mirror though janeg. It's a better one than in specsavers, so I might be able to see the lens coming out. All I kept saying was I can't see a thing!!!


Edit...
Thanks so much ladies.
@janeg, @carorees and @cblasz I did it. Phew. 4 hrs tomorrow, when I get them in that is.

[carorees]

You'll be an old hand in no time!

I can put mine in and take them out without a mirror. I have one contact lens for reading and one for long-distance so I only have binocular vision in the middle distance. It means I don't have to have reading glasses though. I hate specs with a passion, they are so uncomfortable and the pressure on my nose gives me a headache. I never, ever, wear mine. If I can't wear my contact lenses for any reason I just carry on living in a blur until I can wear them again. The glasses sit in my bag just in case of some kind of emergency and they are never taken out of their case! Not looking forward to when I'm too decrepit to be able to manage to get the lenses in and out!

[carieoates]

Hilarious @izzy, it's different coming out of someone else's mouth. "Putter inner/taker outer person " was so patient, I had to laugh when he said I've sat here for two hours before.

Flippin eck, I couldn't even see when he was showing me how you can tell if it's inside out or not.

Perhaps if they'd said go without eye makeup, I wouldn't have spent half the time rubbing mascara off my fingers and upper cheeks.

Prob is I've either got hay fever or the beginnings of a cold, so I'm not as normal, so if I can survive this now I know I should be ok later. If that makes sense.

Anyway I appreciate all the words of wisdom and I will come back and let you know how I'm getting on.

Carie, you make everything sound so funny--thanks and

@izzy maybe my solution to the specs dilemma would be helpful. I wear half glasses most of the time. They have a correction at the top for arms' length (lets me see computer screens, read spine labels at the library,etc. without a lot of moving my head back and forth.)

The bottom part of the glasses have the standard up-close correction for reading. Because the specs are half (think half-moon or "granny glasses") I can move them up and down my nose for reading top shelves at the supermarket, etc. instead of cricking my neck way back. Maybe some day I'll get myself enough together to post an avatar pic with my grannies on.

For distance (movies and plays as well as driving) I have a separate pair that also have a close-up correction at the bottom of the lenses for reading. This pair has magnetically attached sunglasses (not prescription, of course) that easily pop on and off when needed.

I do have to remove all specs when sweeping, mopping, vacuuming if I want to actually see the floor--there's nothing as good as good natural eyesight!!

I really struggled with daily ones. I couldn't get them out I was getting seriously panicky one night and thought I was never ever going to get it out. tried them out a few times over the years with no luck. Recently moved on to fortnightly and monthly ones and can get them in and out no problem as they are thicker. maybe that's the problem.

[Debs]

Good look carieoates, the others do it the same way I did. Carorees, I never got on with two different contacts, just couldn't do it without a massive headache.
I was given a tiny sucker to trial the first time I had them and it helped when I really struggled.
When I lost my reading sight too after 40 and started my new job, I treated myself and got my eyes lasered, the most amazing thing I havew ever done!!!

[janeg]

I've worn specs for such a long time and contacts (RGP ) for years and years. Back to apex now in the sandpit, but have finally bitten the bullet and am in for zapping end of May. This should be interesting...

This has brought back memories of when I got my first set of contacts. Think it took an hour to get them out. But after wearing glasses and contacts since I was 11, like @Debs I got my eyes lasered about 6 or 7 years ago and love it. I've just had to give in and get reading glasses but that's nothing compared to being almost blind without glasses.

[carieoates]

The phrase "Im Just going to put my contact lenses In" ha ha what a laugh. It's like saying I'm just popping outside by the famous explorer Oates of Scott and oates of the antarctic.he never returned, and neither did I. The hubs was waiting for me to help choose his grand national horses. Luckily I'd already told him mine, as he's now gone to play golf. Saying...........good luck and see you at tea time.
So my fist solo putting in session done. I'm cream crackered now.
One question, how do I stop them sticking to my finger tip? Thought it was dry enough, then they kept falling off due to finger being too dry.

[carorees]

I don't find I need to dry my fingertip. I wash my hands, dry them, open the new lens container, put my finger into the lens as it floats there in the solution so it sticks to my finger, take the lens off my finger with the other hand and transfer back to the said fingertip the right way up, pop into eye, then do the other one. I have to do the left eye first or it feels all wrong and often goes wrong too!

[carieoates]

I think I have monthlies because I'm a varifocal wearer? Who knows it's all new to me. Three hours and I start the removal
Thanks again for the help.