Contact Lens Usage Instructions
IMPORTANT READ THE INSTRUCTIONS THROUGHLY BEFORE USE
All Lenses are manufactured to FDA (Food & Drug Administration) Specifications and EC (European Control) Standards.
They are for cosmetic use only and have no power (eye correction).
These products are intended to be worn only with the assistance of qualified eye care professional (optician) and eye care supervision. Do not wear the cosmetic lenses if you have not had an eye examination in the past year, have never worn contact lenses or have not been trained in contact lens insertion and removal techniques and lens care.
The instructions below are meant as a guide only.
General Information
The most important thing to remember with contact lenses is they are foreign bodies as far as your eyes are concerned. Cosmetic lenses, like other contact lens can cause a variety of eye injuries and conditions. Contact lens wear can cause infection, redness, corneal ulcer and or other problems if not worn properly. Certain ocular (eye) problems such as infection, if left untreated can lead to corneal scarring, which can lead to vision impairment, and in extreme cases corneal ulcer can result in blindness and eye loss.
Other risks include conjunctivitis, corneal edema, allergic reaction, abrasion, and reduction in visual activity, contrast sensitivity, and other visual functions, resulting in interference with driving and other activities. These risks cannot be sufficiently controlled unless (1) The wearer obtains contact lens wearing advice from an eye care professional (2) The lenses are evaluated by an eye care professional (3) The wearer remains under appropriate professional supervision, including yearly eye exams (which every one should have). If you cannot conform to the above please return the lenses immediately unopened for a full refund.
Lens cleanliness and general hygiene are vital.
Before you handle your lenses or touch your eyes, you should always wash your hands with a non perfumed or simple soap and rinse thoroughly. The hands should be air dried or dry them on a clean, dust free towel. To avoid damage to your lenses or eyes, nails should be kept short and clean and certainly should not be sharp. Hand cream should be avoided and the lenses should not be contaminated with perfume or lacquer.
The lenses should always be kept in a case with fresh lens solution which should be changed on each wearing or at least once a week. Once the lenses have been inserted and have settled on the eye you can apply your make up, face cream etc.
Before Inserting the lenses
In the pack you will have received two lenses which are immersed in lens solution. If you want to use these again you will need to buy some lens solution (as advised by your eye care professional) which will come with a lens case in the pack, from a good chemist, large supermarket or optician.
To insert you need to get a clean towel and lay this on a work surface. It’s important that this is an area where you can lay everything out and is not cluttered, well lit and has plenty of leg space. You will also need an adjustable magnifying mirror, a table lamp that can be pointed at the mirror, the lens case and solution, a box of non perfumed tissues, and glasses (if you need them).
Soft Lens Insertion
Open the lens carefully over the towel so if it slips you will still be in control.
Be careful not to fold it and make sure the lens is not inside out at this stage. You will be able to tell by placing the lens on your finger and holding it up to the light. You will see the edge turning out if it is inside out. It will curl up more easily if it’s the right way round. Rinse the lens in lens solution so it’s nice and wet and place it on the index finger which needs to be dry otherwise the lens will slip. Look straight ahead into the mirror pull the lower lid down and at the same time pull the lower lid towards the chin so the lower half of your eye is more exposed. The lens will now be about an inch from your eye and can now be gently pressed over the lower half of the eye before withdrawing the finger. If you cannot control your blink reflex the upper lid should be held open with the other hand. To do this, bring the hand over the forehead to hold the edge of the lid with the finger tips. Sometimes with very thin lenses, it’s helpful to pull the top lid away from the eye by the lashes and to physically close the eye over the top of the lens.
Check the lens has moved onto the centre of the eye by ensuring you can see by covering your left eye. If the lens does not go in at the first attempt then rinse with solution and repeat the process. If the eye hurts when the lens is put in, there may be some dust trapped under it. To correct this, place your index finger on the lens, slide it off, down and outwards and then slide it around in a circular fashion before recentring. This usually relieves the problem but if it does not, take it out and start again. Once this has been done successfully repeat for the other eye.
Fill the lens case with fresh solution and always have this with you when you go out. Should you need to remove them for any reason (swimming or they start to irritate for example) you will be able to store them safely. Should the lens move (which is very rare with soft lenses) then all you need do is place your clean finger on the centre of the lens and move it into position. Occasionally the lens can get lodged under the lid. If this happens look down as far as you can and this should then expose the lens. Simply place your clean finger on the lens and move it back into position. If this is not possible use the lid as a pusher to move it down. If this does not work then see an Optician. The lenses should always be removed before sleeping.
Taking Lenses Out
Make sure your hands are clean and the lens case has fresh solution. Start by removing the right lens. Place your index finger on the lens and slide it down by moving your chin up whilst looking in the mirror. Use the middle finger to keep the lower lid down. Whilst your index finger is still on the lens bring your thumb onto the lens surface and pinch your forefinger and thumb together. The lens will crumple up and come away from the eye and should be removed without unduly squeezing it.
If you do squeeze it too hard so that the lens folds and sticks to itself, place it in the lens solution so that it can dehydrate for a few minutes before you attempt to unfold it. Now clean the lens. Place it in the palm of your hand, using your index finger rub it gently with a few drops of lens solution. After 20 seconds, transfer the lens to the palm of your other hand, and repeat. Place the lens in the right hand side of your lens case. It’s very important you do not get these mixed up once they have been in your eyes.
Most people will find this method fine but for those who don’t try the two finger method. Using the forefinger of each hand put one on the middle edge of the top lid and one on the middle edge of the bottom lid. Move the lids apart to free the lens and then press with the fingers to hold the edge of the lids against the eye. Push the lids together so that the lens crumples up and falls out over the bottom lid. This method takes careful practise and is best done leaning over a mirror.
These lenses should not be worn for more than eight hours at a time and less than this until you get used to them. Short periods at a time are sensible at the very beginning.
Storage
After wearing always store in clean fresh lens solution and change the solution regularly. If you are not wearing the lenses regularly the solution should be changed weekly. Mark the lens case with the day you opened the lenses and this way you can dispose of them after 30 days.
Caution
Do not participate in any water sports, or drive while wearing your lenses. Remove before going to bed. If you have any signs of irritation or soreness remove them immediately. We suggest you contact your eye care professional. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes.
