How To Take Out Contacts | Warby Parker

Before you take out your contacts, make sure you have access to a sink and a mirror. Then, follow these five steps:

1. Wash your hands

Always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes. Use an antibacterial soap that’s free of strong scents and lotions. Then, dry your hands with a lint-free towel or cloth. The goal here is to banish irritants and any germs that could lead to infection.

Make sure your hands and fingers are thoroughly dry, so you won’t be trying to grip a lens with slippery skin.

2. Hold your eye open

Use your non-dominant hand to help hold your eye open.

Some people prefer to look up and pull their lower eyelid downward with a finger or two. Others might use the index finger of their non-dominant hand to pull their upper eyelid open, then use the middle finger of their other hand to tug down on the lower lid.

Experiment to see what feels most comfortable for you!

3. Gently pinch and remove the contact lens

Emphasis on gently. Place your index finger and thumb on either side of the contact lens and move them slightly closer together in a pinching motion. Your fingers should be in a tight “V” formation to allow for grip and traction.

Make sure that you’re only touching the lens itself. Sweeping your fingers over your entire eyeball will only lead to a red, angry eye.

Some people like to slide the lens down to the lower part of their eye with their index finger before pinching. Others simply pinch away while the lens sits at the center of the eye.

Either way, the slight pressure should cause the center of the lens to pop up and away from your eye, enabling you to grip it with the same fingers. Remove the lens.

4. Clean the contact lens (if it’s not a daily disposable lens)

Remember the rub-and-rinse method? It’s time to do it again so your contact lens is squeaky clean before going into storage.

Place the contact lens onto your palm, and squirt fresh contact solution onto it so it’s sitting in a small pool. Use a finger to rub the lens around in the solution for about 15 seconds. Then, top it off with a rinse of more solution.

5. Store your contacts

If you aren’t disposing of your contacts, fill your contact lens case with fresh solution and store them in their respective wells. Screw on the lids and bid them goodnight.

Pro tips: Don’t forget to have your glasses handy! And, for optimal cleanliness, replace your contact case with a new one every three months.