Contact lenses in the past were hard, uncomfortable and prone to breaking or getting lost. With the advent of soft and gas-permeable contact lenses, however, that discomfort became a thing of the past.

The first step is to get contact lenses that are just right for you. Your eye care professional will make that decision after a thorough eye exam. He or she will write you a prescription, taking into account the wear characteristics you want, such as disposable, extended wear and more. State-of-the-art equipment and experience allow eye doctors to fit everyone with contacts that are individually perfect for them and that fit exactly.

While certain lenses require a break-in or adjustment period, they should not be uncomfortable for very long. RGP lenses, for example, are firmer than soft contacts. They will take a few days longer than soft lenses to feel right.

During that period, you're getting used to something that is new and your eyes are conforming to the lens and vice-versa. Soft lenses should feel comfortable within a day or two at most. You should adjust to any contact lens by the period described by your doctor. Any longer than that and it's time to take them back.

Before deciding that the lenses are not right for you, though, make sure you're using them correctly.

Toric lenses for example, used by those who have certain types of astigmatism, can only go in correctly one way. Because they combine multiple shapes to correct the condition, if they are rotated upside down they won't fit right, nor will they correct your vision appropriately. Similar comments apply to bifocals or progressives, which are often designed to be worn only one way.

For most people, contact lenses differ between left and right. Getting them backwards will not give you optimal correction. It should be obvious, but it isn't always. The reason is that your eyes may differ only by a small amount and other things can interfere with optimal vision, such as cloudiness on the lens from improper cleaning. Most lenses come with a mark on the right lens, just in case you get them mixed up. Your eye care professional will point this out to you when the lenses are first dispensed.

Inserting the lenses

Make sure you clean your hands and the lens thoroughly before you insert them. Small contaminants make a big difference when it comes to something as carefully crafted as your contacts. Protein and bacteria buildup are much quicker on lenses that aren't prepared correctly.

Also, make sure you put them in correctly. With eyes that only differ a little, it's easy to get them backwards and not know it. Some designs simplify the issue by actually imprinting a tiny L and R on the lens. Others rely on you to see that the left and right are correct after they're inserted, and reverse them if they're not. Toric lenses make clear which way they are to go - follow that.

Wear your contact lenses according to their designed use. If you have daily wear lenses, don't treat them like extended wear models - take them out before bed. If you fall asleep with the lenses in, even during the day, use eye drops and allow the eye to get moisturized before removing them. Ironically, closed eyelids during sleep can cause them to dry out, since you produce less tear solution then. Allow your eyes time to adjust. If you are using daily wear lenses like extended wear lenses, perhaps it's time to speak with your eye care professional about extended wear.

Some soft lenses can accidentally flip inside out. But even single vision lenses are designed to only be worn one way. Before inserting, ensure they look like a slice of a sphere with no ridges. If there's a tiny lip, they likely have gotten turned inside out. Firmer lenses, such as RGP models, show this more prominently, but it should be visible on others, too. Because it can be hard to see without your contacts in, have a pair of glasses handy or get used to feeling for the small ridge.

With proper care and use, your lenses should not be irritating. Continuing to wear lenses that are irritating can lead to eye health problems. If they bother you, consult your eye doctor and ensure that your prescription and practices are both what the doctor ordered.

Gas Permeable Contact Lenses