New Wearer Guide

Tips for first-time contact lens wearers

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Learn the Basics of Contacts: A New Wearer's Guide
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Welcome to contacts! Enjoy the view.

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Congrats on your new contact lenses, and your new look. Putting on and taking off your contacts is simple when you get the hang of it, but it can take some getting used to. Be patient and before you know it, it'll be second nature. Remember: Practice makes perfect.

Put On Contacts

Learn how to put on contact lenses

Follow along with this quick tutorial to see how to put your lenses in.
An illustration of washing your hands.

Wash your hands thoroughly

Use a mild soap, rinse completely and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.
An illustration showing that when a contact lens is inside out, the edges flair out.

Check the lens

The lens should look like a bowl with straight edges. If the edges flair out, it's inside out.
An illustration of lowering the bottom eyelid and lifting the upper eyelid in preparation of inserting a contact lens.

Hold your eye open

With the contact lens on the tip of your index finger, hold your upper and lower eyelids open.
An illustration showing the placing of a contact lens in an eye.

Place the lens

Look up and gently place the lens on your eye. Release the eyelid and close your eye to let the lens settle.
Take Off Contacts

See how to take off contact lenses

Follow along with this quick tutorial to see how to take your lenses out.
An illustration of washing your hands.

Wash your hands thoroughly

Use a mild soap, rinse completely and dry with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses.
An illustration showing a finger pulling down on a contact lens in order to remove it from an eye.

Look up & pull down your lower eyelid

Touch the lower edge of the lens with your index finger and slide it down to the lower white part of your eye.
An illustration shown the squeezing of a contact lens to remove it from an eye.

Gently squeeze the lens

Using your thumb and index finger, lift the lens from your eye.
An illustration showing the application of contact lens solution to a contact lens in the palm of a hand.

Discard or clean your lenses

If you wear bi-weekly or monthly contacts, it's time to clean and disinfect. Daily disposables can be thrown away.
Help & Troubleshooting

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Frequently asked questions

How long will it take for my contacts to feel normal?

This varies for everyone. If you feel like it has been too long, the best way to find out why you're uncomfortable, and what you can do about it, is to talk to your eye doctor.

Should the contact move around after I put it on?

A proper fitting contact lens will move just slightly with each blink, but should stay in place as you move your eyes around. Even on that rare occasion when a contact lens moves off the center of the eye, it usually stays on the eye and can simply be moved back to center.

Is it okay if my vision is still blurry after putting on my contacts?

Many things can adversely affect your vision. It could be dry eyes, poor-fitting lenses, or an out-of-date prescription. It could also be a sign of a more serious problem not related to your contacts. You should always talk to your eye doctor about any issues you are having with your vision or your contact lenses.

How do I know if contact lenses are turned inside out?

To determine if a contact lens is inside out, check the shape of the lens. First, wash your hands with a mild soap and dry them with a lint-free towel to avoid dirt or oil transferring onto the lens. Then, holding the lens on one finger with the open side facing outward, the lens should resemble the shape of a bowl. If the top edges are flared out slightly and the lens looks more like a saucer, the contact is inside out. Some lenses also have numbers imprinted in the lens; if the numbers are readable when viewed from the outside of the lens, your lens is turned the right way.

What happens if you sleep with contacts in?

Some lenses are approved for overnight wear, but unless specifically advised to do so by your eye doctor, you should never sleep with contact lenses on because it greatly increases the risk of serious eye infections. An eye infection from wearing contacts overnight may be severe and require intense treatment by an eye doctor to prevent permanent vision loss. If you have pain, redness, or blurred vision associated with contact lens wear—especially if you have recently slept in your lenses—you should immediately seek the care of your eye doctor.

Can you put contact solution in your eyes?

No, you should not. Contact lens solution is not designed for use as rewetting drops, it's designed to clean and disinfect contact lenses. Putting them directly in your eyes could irritate or damage your eyes.

Can I use eyedrops with contacts?

If you wear contact lenses, you can use certain eye drops as long as they specifically state on the label that they're safe for contact lens wearers.

Once you've got the basics down

Learn about keeping your contact lenses clean to help keep your eyes comfortable and healthy for the long-term.
Touching a contact lens in the palm of left hand

Learn to clean your contacts

See the best ways to keep your contacts clean so your eyes stay healthy.
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See tips for healthy eyes

Find out how to protect your eyes and reduce your risk for serious eye conditions.

Get started with ACUVUE contact lenses

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Footnotes

Consult your eye care professional for more information. Johnson & Johnson does not provide medical advice; this information is for educational purposes only.

Always wash hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.

*Free trial contact lenses available only from participating eye care professionals. Exam and fitting fees not included.

‖Reward amount dependent on ACUVUE product and quantity purchased and if you are a new wearer. Must get an eye exam and purchase from participating provider. Original receipt required. Valid thru 12/31/25.
Rewards paid in the form of an ACUVUE® Prepaid Mastercard®. Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S. issued by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Your use of the prepaid card is governed by the Cardholder Agreement, and some fees may apply. This is not a gift card. Please note that prepaid cards are subject to expiration, so pay close attention to the expiration date of the card.

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guides.

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