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Putting in a soft contact lens can be tricky. The lens is very delicate, and the differences between a right-side out and inside out lens can be difficult to spot. To avoid the potential pain and discomfort of an incorrectly oriented lens, take the time to perform a few tests to ensure they are put in correctly.
Steps
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Place the contact lens on your finger. The rounded side should be downward, touching your finger. If it looks kind of like a bowl or a cup on your finger, you have it in the right orientation. If it looks like a dome, with the rounded side up, you have the contact lens flipped the wrong way. [1] X Research source
- If you can’t keep the lens even, try placing it on your palm instead.
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Hold the lens at eye level. Seeing the lens at the correct angle is paramount. Viewing from different angles can play tricks on your eyes, especially because you need the contact lens to see correctly. Look at it directly from the side. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Look for the “U”. When the contact lens is correctly oriented, it should have a fairly rounded appearance. It should resemble a wide letter “U”. When it’s inside out, however, it will resemble a “V” more than a “U”. [3] X Research source
- Look for flaring at the edges. The lower part of the lens may be deceiving, but the edges themselves will look stretched towards the sides if the lens is inside out.
- If the lens seems wider at the top, and the lines aren’t straight, it’s likely inside out.
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Place the lens between your forefinger and thumb. Adjust your fingers so they are towards the inside portion of the contact lens, and are not covering or touching the edges. There needs to be enough room for the contact lens edges to move. [4] X Research source
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Gently squeeze the lens. Be sure not to smash the lens. The point is not to test the integrity of the lens, or the limits to which it will bend. You just want to see what shape it makes when you bend it. [5] X Research source
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Study the lens. If the edges point straight upward, like the eponymous taco, it is correctly aligned. If they squeeze or round outward, like the head of a vase, then the lens is inside out and should be reversed.
- If you squeeze very tightly, a correctly oriented contact lens will bow enough the edges will curve towards one another.
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Look for laser etching. Some lens manufacturers laser etch small numbers into their lenses that make this process even easier. Set the lens on your forefinger, rounded side down. Simply look for the numbers when viewing the lens from the side. If they are right-side up, the lens is oriented correctly. [6] X Research source
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Check for edge coloring. If you have a tinted lens, there will be a specific look to it if it’s inverted. Hold the lens on your fingertip and lower your hand. From there, look downward. If the edge is tinted in a blue or green color, which is dependent on the type of tint in the lens, then it’s in the right position. If the edges look like another color, they are inverted. [7] X Research source
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Put the lens in. If none of the other tests make it clear, you might have to insert the contact lens as it is. Unless you’re brand new to contact lenses, there will be a definite change in feel when a contact lens is inserted inside out. It will feel irritable, itchy, and uncomfortable. [8] X Research source
- There may be a bit of confusion, however, because similar irritability can occur with a dirty lens that is inserted properly.
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Tips
- When inverting a lens, don't use your fingernails. Soft lenses are fragile and can be ripped.Thanks
- Before trying any process, wash your hands thoroughly. Tiny bits of dirt can become giant problems when trapped under your lenses.Thanks
- Use cleaning solution to rinse off the lens before attempting to reapply the lens.Thanks
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Warnings
- Be sure not to dry out the contact while performing any tests, it may cause it to rip.Thanks
- Be very careful with the lens. If you drop it, it may no longer be sanitary enough to use.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/inside-out.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/inside-out.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/contact-lens-tips.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/inside-out.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/inside-out.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/inside-out.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/contact-lens-tips.htm
- ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/contact-lens-tips.htm
About This Article
Article Summary
X
It can be hard to tell if your soft contact lens is inside out, but there are a couple of simple tricks you can use. Place the lens on your fingertip and examine it closely. If it’s the right way, it should have a full curve like a bowl. If it’s inside out, the sides will be straighter, like the letter “V.” You can also gently squeeze the edges together between your thumb and forefinger. If the sides stay straight, like a taco, the lens is the right way. However, if the sides curl outwards, it’s inside out. If the lens is already in your eye and it’s inside out, it will feel itchier and more uncomfortable than normal. For more tips from our Optometry co-author, including how to care for your contact lenses, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Well, I am 11 and my mom said I had to wait until I was 16. Whenever I play sports, however, my glasses get foggy, and whenever I am putting on makeup I can barely see what I am doing. I talked to my mom and showed her that all kids can get contacts at any age, so when November came, I went to the doctor and asked him if I could get contacts. He said yes! When I got them, I washed them out every night and when I play sports it is not a problem anymore." ..." more
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"Well, I am 11 and my mom said I had to wait until I was 16. Whenever I play sports, however, my glasses get foggy, and whenever I am putting on makeup I can barely see what I am doing. I talked to my mom and showed her that all kids can get contacts at any age, so when November came, I went to the doctor and asked him if I could get contacts. He said yes! When I got them, I washed them out every night and when I play sports it is not a problem anymore."
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"I am new to a soft lens and unsure of how to handle it properly. My first lens I tore when I tried to clean it in the palm of my hand, so I got really nervous getting the second one. I also was unaware you should not put them in water, so yes, this article helped."
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"The U test helped the most and works every time."
"The U test always helps me the most."
"The U and V was good."
