If you have long hair, tie it up while you’re putting in the contact lenses. Hair can distract you by getting in your eyes, and could also transmit dirt and germs onto the lenses.
It’s important that you keep your hands steady during this procedure. Keep your eye from blinking as you insert the contact lens.
Your iris is the colored section in the center of your eye, which surrounds the pupil. The iris dilates (opens and closes) the pupil to adjust the amount of light that enters your eye. [2] X Research source Your cornea is clear, dome-shaped tissue that covers the front of your eye. The cornea allows light to enter your pupil, and helps focus light rays to assist the eye’s focus. [3] X Research source Never force the lens into your eye. It’s okay to repeat the procedure multiple times if you don’t successfully apply the lens the first time.
If the lens does not center itself when you blink a few times, or if it feels uncomfortable or isn’t centered over your cornea, you’ll need to pull the lens out and try again. To remove the lens, grip it lightly by the sides and pull it lightly away from your cornea.
If you are left handed, you may find it easier to spread your eyelids apart with your right hand, leaving your left index finger free to insert the lenses.
If the lenses come in contact with water, and rest in your eyes for 8 or more hours, it will put you at risk for a serious infection called Acanthamoeba keratoconjunctivitis. [5] X Research source Instead, your lenses should be stored and cleaned in a sterile saline solution. [6] X Research source Such a solution should have been provided to you when you first bought your Ortho-k lenses, and replacement saline solution can be purchased at your eye doctor’s office or at any pharmacy.
Cleaning your lenses will remove any dirt or oils that are on the Ortho-k lenses, and also remove any oil, hair, or skin that may have stuck to the lenses while in your eyes. Rinse the cleaning solution off using the provided saline solution. It’s important to thoroughly remove the cleaning solution, as the abrasive cleaning chemicals will be harmful to your eyes. [9] X Research source
This will keep the lenses from being damaged, and allow the lenses to remain sterile.
Astigmatism occurs when your eyes fail to properly focus refracted light on the retina. [12] X Research source Hyperopia is the medical term for farsightedness. [13] X Research source
Unlike eye surgery, the results of orthokeratology are temporary and reversible. Ortho-k treatment is painless and does not have any recovery period. Children can use Ortho-k lenses, while surgery is only available to individuals over 18. If you’d like to try Ortho-k lenses, your optometrist may ask you to complete a trial period with the Ortho-k lenses before giving you a full prescription. This will generally comprise a 1–2 week trial. [15] X Research source
If you suspect your child is myopic, have them examined by an optometrist.
