How to Overcome Fear of Inserting Contact Lenses

Anyone can get cold feet on the mere thought of having something too close to their eyes, and when it comes to wearing contact lenses, it’s natural for first-time wearers to experience anxiety and fear. Taking lifestyle and appearance into account, many glasses wearers prefer to wear contact lenses to correct their vision. However, the fear of sticking their finger in or near their eyes can hold them back.

What’s the fear all about?

The fear of wearing contact lenses is extremely common across the world and can mostly arise from concerns which are often nothing more than contact lens myths. Have a look at some of them:

• Pain or discomfort – First time lens wearers always fear that the lenses will feel painful or uncomfortable in the eyes
• Inserting something in the eyes – The thought of inserting something in or near the eyes can be unnerving for many
• Eye injury – There’s worry the eyes could get harmed by improperly handling the lenses
• Lens getting stuck – Some worry about lenses getting stuck in their eyes and getting them out

Tips to overcome fear of wearing contact lenses

It’s quite understandable that those who haven’t worn lenses before can have fears related to wearing them. However, as technology has evolved, modern contact lenses have been designed with advanced technology, making them safer, easier and more comfortable to insert and remove.

Here’s four useful tips to help overcome your fear of wearing lenses.

1. Take care of cleanliness – It’s extremely important to ensure cleanliness and hygiene to avoid eye infections. Many people refrain from wearing contact lenses as they fear germs and bacteria entering their eyes. Always be mindful to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eye, upper lids, lower lids, the surface of your eye and your contact lenses. If, by any chance, you drop the lenses on the floor, the lenses should ideally be thrown away to reduce the risk of infection.

2. Do not rush it – If putting in contact lenses intimidates you, it’s ideal to take it slow. Try touching the white part of your eyes gently and getting comfortable with something being close to your eyes too. Practice this consecutively over a few days until your eyes have reduced sensitivity to touch and instinctively blink less. Once you feel comfortable enough, hold a contact lens on your fingertip and take it closer to your eye. There’s no need to rush and insert the lens right away because the whole process aims to make it less scary for you.

   

3. Wear lenses in front of a mirror – It’s best to stand in front of a mirror while you try wearing contact lenses so you can see what you’re doing. It will help you aim the centre part of the eye better and insert the lens in the eye more confidently. Look up while doing so and gently put the contact on the eye's surface. Laying a clean towel underneath the mirror is recommended to find the contact lens easily in case you drop it. Make sure to rinse the lens with contact lens solution (recommended by your optician) to get rid of any fluff or dust, before inserting it in the eye.
4. Consult your optician – It’s advisable to consult your optician if your fear of wearing contact lenses persists. They will assess your eye health and recommend the type of contact lenses that suit your eyes and your lifestyle. They will also guide you professionally and take you through the process of inserting contact lenses that’s safe and comfortable for you.

The fear of putting in contact lenses is more psychological than about the process. Divert your attention by focusing on the positive aspects, such as freedom from prescription glasses, full-field vision, comfort for an active lifestyle and ease of wearing sunglasses while wearing lenses. It will serve as a motivation to shun the beginner’s fear. For more information, refer to our beginner’s guide to wearing contact lenses.

Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical care or an in-person check-up. Please check with an eyecare professional before purchasing any products or remedies. For information on our article review process, please refer to our Editorial Policy.