Please read all of the instructions carefully

  • Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before inserting or removing your lenses.
  • Take care not to catch the lens or your eye with your fingernails – keep them short.
  • Work over a clean, flat surface.
  • Use saline solution to rinse your lenses and case – do NOT rinse them with tap water as this can cause eye infections.
  • To minimise the possibility of mixing your lenses up, it is a good idea to get into the habit of always inserting and removing the same lens first.
  • Do not shower / bathe / swim in your lenses.
  • Do not sleep in your contact lenses unless you have been advised to by your contact lens practitioner.

Lens removal

After you remove the contact lens from your eye, it must be cleaned before it is put into the storage case. This removes the microbes and deposits that have built up on the lens during the day.

Method 1
  1. Look straight ahead and press the edge of your lower eyelid against the eyeball beneath the contact lens.
  2. Lift your top eyelid above the contact lens and then push it down over the eyeball until the eye is shut – the lens should be pushed out and be resting between the eyelashes.
Method 2
  1. Look straight ahead and open your eye as wide as possible.
  2. Place your index finger at the outer corner of your eye and pull your eyelids tight over towards your ear.
  3. Blink – the lens should come out.

Lens cleaning and disinfection

Always use the care system recommended to you in the clinic.

1. Place the lens on the palm of your hand and put two or three drops of the cleaning solution onto the lens.

2. Rub the lens gently but firmly for approximately 30 seconds with the little finger of your other hand.

3. After rubbing the lens, it is essential to rinse it with saline solution to remove the loosened debris and any remaining cleaner. Rinse the cleaning solution off the lens by rubbing the lens between thumb and forefinger with saline.

4. Fill the storage case with conditioning solution and place the lens into the correct side of the case. This conditioning solution must be changed on a daily basis.

5. If you wear a lens in the other eye, repeat steps 1–4.

6. Leave the lenses to soak overnight in the case.

Lens insertion

  1. Remove the lens from the storage case.
  2. Add one drop of the conditioning solution.
  3.  Place the lens onto the index finger of your dominant hand and ensure the lens is not damaged, particularly checking the edges for nicks; check too that there are no deposits on the lens.
  4. Hold your bottom eyelid down with the middle finger of your dominant hand and lift the top eyelid up with your other hand – maintain a firm hold of the top eyelid to prevent blinking.
  5. Keep looking straight at the lens and bring it towards your eye until the lens sits on the front of the eye. This will enable correct positioning of the lens towards the centre of your eye.
  6. Gently let go of the bottom then the top eyelids.
  7. Blink slowly and gently until the lens begins to feel comfortable.
  8. If you wear a lens in the other eye, repeat steps 1-7 for the second lens.
  9. Discard the solution from your case, rinse the case with saline and leave the case to air dry.

You may have been advised to use a different method to insert and remove your lenses – if so, please follow the instructions from the clinic.

Contact lens case hygiene

  • Eye infections can occur due to poor lens case cleaning.
  • On insertion of your lenses you must discard the solution from your case, rinse the case with saline and leave the case to air dry.
  • Your contact lens case should be scrubbed with a dedicated clean toothbrush on a weekly basis with saline or some of your contact lens cleaning solution, if recommended by the clinic, then left to air dry. Do NOT use soap in case it is not fully rinsed away.
  • Your contact lens case should be replaced at least once every three months.

Re-centering a displaced lens

If a lens moves onto the white of your eye, you will need to locate it and re-centre it onto the cornea:

  1. Pull down the lower eyelid.
  2. If the lens has lodged below the cornea, hold the top eyelid then place one or two fingers onto the lower eyelid margin to gently push the lens back onto the cornea.
  3. If the lens is not below the cornea, then it is either under the top eyelid or it has fallen out.
  4. If the lens is under the top eyelid, look down to the floor and gently touch the skin of the upper eyelid to find the lens.
  5. Gently massage the lens down until it can be seen and then try to remove it by removal method 1 if possible. Otherwise, follow point 2.

Remember, a contact lens cannot go behind your eye. If you cannot locate the lens, seek the advice from the contact lens clinic or a local contact lens practitioner (Optometrist or Ophthalmologist).

If you wear make-up, you should insert your lenses before putting on your make-up and remove them before taking your make up off.

It is vital that you attend your contact lens and eye exam appointments to maintain the health of your eyes.

Wearing time

On day one, wear you lens (es) for ______ hour(s).

Build up the wearing time by an extra _______ hour(s) a day to a maximum of ______ hours before your next appointment.

Please attend you aftercare appointment wearing your contact lens(es) unless there is a problem.

Contact details

If you have any queries about the care of your contact lenses, please contact the contact lens clinic:

Phone: 01228 814727.  Please ask for the Optometrist or leave a message with the nurse with your name and contact number and we’ll call you back ASAP.

(Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm)

If you need a replacement lens ordered you can phone on the above number or email on Contact.lens@ncic.nhs.uk

Please note that if you pay for your lens(es), payment will need to be received before a lens can be ordered.

When to seek advice

If you experience pain, redness or loss of vision, you should seek prompt medical attention. You can contact the contact lens clinic, or alternatively seek advice from your own Optometrist or GP.

For urgent care please visit your local A&E service.

 

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302