Contact lenses don’t need to cause tears! The process of getting them in shouldn’t be a dreaded event; it should be effortless. But for too many of us contact users, it’s a pesky process that takes much longer than it should.
So I’m here to make your life a little easier. While I can’t bring down your grocery bills or help you figure out what a good matcha latte is, I can show you how to put in contacts.
How to Put in Contacts: The Classic Methods
The open your eyes wide trick.
This is one of the most straightforward methods. You use your dominant hand to gently pull down your lower eyelid, and the other hand to lift up your other eyelid. Then, using your index finger, pop in your lens. Avoid blinking until it’s in there!
This is a beginner-friendly method that gently opens your lids, allowing you to quickly insert your contact lenses.
If it’s too fidgety for you to use both hands and put the lens in, then use one hand to pull down the bottom eyelid. The other hand can then be free to put in contacts.
The simple V-Method.
If you need to pry open both eyelids, use the V-method, which makes a V shape with your index finger and middle finger. Then use your V to put one finger on your bottom lid and one on the top. Pull gently to open up your eye.
Now, pop in your contact lens with the index finger of your free hand. The eye doctor below has a useful tutorial that shows just how easy it is.
How to put in contacts with long nails.
The same method can be used to put in your contacts with long nails. Like this influencer shows below, you can use both hands, but your nails should be away from your eyes!
Only use the bed of your finger, not your nail, to avoid scratching. Pop the contact in using your index finger.
Putting in Contacts: The Non-Conventional Methods
The pinching method.
I saw this pinching method, which the influencer below recommends for wearers with long nails. I think it’s easier for people with short nails, though.
You basically pinch your contact lenses with your index finger and thumb. Then you can pull your lower eyelid down a little and place the pinched lens in your eye.
Sliding up method.
While sliding up is not the official name for this method, it’s what I call it. You use one hand to pull down your bottom eyelid, then use your other hand (and index finger) to pop your contact into your bottom eyelid. Gently slide the contact up to the center of your eye using your bottom eyelid.
It’s an easier method if you’re confused about how to put in contacts, and it scares you to stick them right in your eye.
The look to the side method.
If you have the age-old problem of blinking and flinching while trying to put in contact lenses, then this could be your fix.
You open your eyes by gently pulling up the lids, then you look to the side that’s toward your nose. Pop the contact lens on the white part of your eye and close your eye so the lens will readjust.
This works because soft lenses will find the center of your eye and stay there. So you can place it on the white part of your eye instead. If you’re getting comfortable, you can try with one hand like the example below.
Using Tools To Put in Contact Lenses
It’s 2025, and there are more tools than ever before to help users put in contact lenses. While it might not be the go-to option, it can be useful for people who have tried everything and still can’t put in contacts!
This small lens applicator is small, portable, and easy to use. They’re cheap and sold online. It’s a small stick with a suction cup at the end, which holds your contact lens in place. You then pop it in your eye by holding your lids open.
It’s a good option for people who find using their finger to put in contacts too fidgety. It’s also an option for people with long nails that get in the way.
With any tool, it’s essential to ensure it’s clean before using it in your eyes. They should also be stored properly and not left lying around, full of germs and bacteria (hello, eye infection)!
Also, it’s wise to get your eye doctor’s advice before using any eye tools.
Don’t Forget These Important Tips
- Wash your hands before you get started. Dirty hands can lead to nasty infections.
- If you have long nails, make sure there’s no debris stuck in them; you can try a nail brush.
- Place the contact on your fingertip with the curved part facing your finger so you can put it in the right way with less fuss.
- If you want to pick up your lens, avoid too much contact and contamination. Squeeze it into a taco to place it on your fingertip before inserting it.
TL;DR
With some practice, anyone can learn how to put in contact lenses! It might take several attempts, but try the methods on this list to see which one works best for you:
- Traditional Methods: It’s hard to go wrong with opening up your eyelids and popping in your contact lens using your index finger. The trick is not to blink!
- Non-Traditional Methods: If you keep twitching, try opening your eye and placing the contact on the white part, then blink. It should readjust to the middle!
- Contact Lens Applicator: If all else fails, try a contact lens applicator so you don’t need to use your finger. It’s less fidgety, but pick safe tools!
Before you get started, always wash your hands!
