How to Properly Insert Different Types of Contact Lenses

Putting in contact lenses isn’t just a hygiene ritual—it’s the cornerstone of eye health for over 45 million Americans who wear them daily. Done wrong, it can lead to serious issues like corneal abrasions or infections. A study by the CDC found that nearly 1 in 5 contact lens-related eye infections result in some form of eye damage. That’s no joke.

Whether you’re new to lenses or have been popping them in since your high school prom, getting the technique right for different types of lenses—soft, hard, scleral, or hybrid—is key to comfort, clarity, and eye safety.

Soft Contact Lenses: The Crowd Favorite

Step-by-Step Insertion

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Use soap and water, dry with a lint-free towel.
2. Place the Lens on Your Index Finger: It should form a perfect bowl shape—edges should curve upward, not flare out.
3. Inspect for Damage or Debris: Look for rips, lint, or calcium deposits.
4. Hold Your Upper Eyelid: With your non-dominant hand to prevent blinking.
5. Pull Down Lower Eyelid: Using your middle finger of the dominant hand.
6. Gently Place the Lens on the Eye: Look straight ahead or slightly upward.
7. Blink Slowly: Allow the lens to settle.

Pro Tips

• Use a mirror placed flat on a table for better angle visibility.
• If the lens feels uncomfortable, remove, rinse with solution, and try again.

Accuracy Rating: 9/10 — Very user-friendly

Average Cost of Supplies: $30–50/month (solutions + lenses)

Fun Fact: Daily disposables reduce the risk of eye infections by up to 50% compared to monthly lenses ⧉.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: The Precision Tools

Insertion Method

1. Same Hand Hygiene: It never changes.
2. Wet the Lens with Solution: Don’t insert dry!
3. Use a Tripod Technique: Balance the lens on your index finger, with your thumb and middle finger stabilizing.
4. Keep Eye Wide Open: Use both hands to control lids.
5. Place Directly on the Cornea: No sliding like with soft lenses.
6. Blink Gently: Let the lens center naturally.

Unique Challenges

• Smaller diameter makes them harder to handle.
• Takes longer to get used to—usually 1–2 weeks.

Accuracy Rating: 8/10 — Requires precision

Cost Range: $100–300/pair; replacements last 1–2 years

According to Reyus Mammadli, medical consultant, “RGP lenses offer superior oxygen permeability, which makes them an excellent choice for people with dry eyes or high prescriptions.”

Scleral Lenses: Big and Bold

Insertion Protocol

1. Fill the Lens Bowl with Sterile Saline: These lenses must be full before inserting.
2. Use a Plunger or Stand Mirror: Due to their size (15–24 mm or 0.6–0.95 in).
3. Lean Forward: Position your face parallel to the floor.
4. Open Eye Widely: Both lids must be fully apart.
5. Insert Lens Directly Over Iris: The fluid keeps it comfy.

Why They’re Special

• Ideal for keratoconus or post-surgical eyes
• Can mask severe corneal irregularities

Accuracy Rating: 7.5/10 — Insertion has a learning curve

Cost Estimate: $700–2,000 per pair, often custom-designed

A 47-year-old woman from Phoenix, AZ, who had LASIK complications, struggled with intense light sensitivity and fluctuating vision for over two years. She had tried various treatments, including medicated drops and custom glasses, with minimal relief. After switching to custom-fitted scleral lenses, she described the change as “a second chance at vision”—finally being able to drive at night and read comfortably again without the constant halo effect.

Hybrid Lenses: The Best of Both Worlds?

Application Steps

1. Handle Gently: Soft skirt is fragile.
2. Insert Like an RGP: Focus on centering the rigid center.
3. No Saline Needed in Bowl: Unlike scleral.
4. Ensure Edge Seals Properly: Prevents lens movement.

Pros and Cons

• Combine comfort of soft with clarity of hard lenses
• Trickier to insert than they look

Accuracy Rating: 8.5/10 — Intermediate difficulty

Cost Estimate: Around $500–900 per pair

As noted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, hybrid lenses are particularly effective for patients with astigmatism or corneal irregularities ⧉.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Drying Hands Properly: Water can harbor microbes like Acanthamoeba
• Mixing Up Left and Right Lenses: Mark cases clearly
• Skipping Lens Inspection: A tiny tear can cause major irritation
• Using Tap Water to Rinse: Never! Use only recommended solutions ⧉

A 29-year-old man from Orlando, FL, was on a business trip when he realized he’d forgotten his contact lens solution. Thinking it would be harmless, he rinsed his lenses with hotel tap water. Within 24 hours, he experienced redness, pain, and blurred vision. An urgent care doctor diagnosed him with a corneal abrasion likely caused by Acanthamoeba contamination. The treatment required antibiotics and discontinuing lens use for over a week. He now travels with a backup kit—lesson learned the hard way.

Practical Comparison Table

Editorial Advice

When it comes to inserting contact lenses, technique isn’t just a minor detail—it’s the whole show. Reyus Mammadli, medical consultant, emphasizes the importance of adapting your method to your lens type, saying, “Once you personalize the process, you dramatically reduce discomfort and the risk of complications.”

From soft to scleral, each lens has its own quirks. Start slow, stay sterile, and use tools like insertion plungers or stand mirrors to boost accuracy. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to ask your eye care provider for a live demo—it’s not cheating, it’s smart.

Happy lensing!