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Many people new to contact lenses, and even some experienced wearers, have general questions about wearing and caring for contacts.  Here are a few tips that can help you with everyday contact lens concerns.

Which Way Is the Right Way?

A question many new wearers have is: "How can I tell if my contact lens is inside-out?" The trick is to place the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed. Then hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes so you're looking at the side of the cup.

If the lens forms a "U" with the top edges flared out, it's inside out. If it forms just a "U," it's in the correct position.

If you're wearing lenses with a handling tint, another way is to place the lens on your fingertip and then look down at it. The edge of a tinted lens should look very blue (or green, depending on the tint); that won't be the case if the lens is inverted.

Some contact lenses also have a laser marking, such as the brand name, on the edge to help you. If you can read it properly, the lens is not inside out. Don't worry if you place a contact lens in your eye inside out. The lens will feel uncomfortable, but it can't do any damage.

Inserting Contact Lenses

Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before putting in contact lenses. Be sure to avoid oily or overly scented soaps that could stick to the lens surface. Especially avoid using products containing lanolin.

You may want to get in the habit  to always apply the first contact lens in the same eye, so you'll avoid the possibility of mixing up lenses for the right eye and left eye.

Gently shake your lens case containing the storage solution, to loosen the contact lens should it be stuck to the bottom or side of the case.  Do not pull the lens with your finger, or you might damage it. Slide the lens out of its case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution.

Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle finger, which should be dry or mostly dry. With the fingers and thumb of your other hand, simultaneously pull up on your upper eyelid and down on your lower eyelid.

Position the lens on your eye while looking upward or forward, whichever you find to be easier. You also can apply the contact lens by placing it on the white of the eye closest to your ear.  Roll your eyes in a complete circle to help the lens settle, then blink.

Removing Your Contact Lenses

Always wash your hands before removing contact lenses. If you are standing in front of a sink, make sure you use a clean paper towel to cover the drain where the contact lens might accidentally fall.

To remove soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways while you pull down on your lower eyelid.

With a finger, gently maneuver the lens onto the white of your eye. There, you can very gently pinch the lens together with your index finger and thumb and lift it off the eye.

Until you master contact lens removal, you might consider keeping your fingernails clipped to avoid accidentally scratching and damaging your eye or tearing the lens.

Rigid contact lenses can be removed by holding out the palm of your hand, bending over, and then opening your eye wide. With one finger of your other hand, pull on the skin of your eye's outside corner straight out toward your ear with your eye wide open. Then blink. The contact lens should pop right out and into your open palm.

Do not worry, while you may have heard a myth or two about  "losing" a contact lens in the back of the eye, this is actually impossible because of a membrane that connects your eye to the back of your eyelid.