Getting used to contact lenses—what to expect the first few days

Making the switch to contact lenses is an exciting step that can provide clear vision and flexibility in your life, but it’s understandable to be a little nervous. The good news? With a little patience, practice, and some guidance, you’ll be handling your lenses like a pro in no time.

Medically reviewed on August 11, 2025

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Published on January 12, 2026

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6 minute read time

Give yourself grace—no two people are alike

Here’s the truth: everyone’s journey with contact lenses is unique. You may start wearing contacts effortlessly, barely noticing them after just a day or two, or you may notice them on your eyes for a few weeks. Or, you may be great at putting lenses on but struggle to take them off. It’s important to know that these experiences are totally normal. Your eyes, your body, and your comfort level are all different. So, if you’re wondering how long it takes to get used to contact lenses, it depends on you. Try not to compare yourself to others, or feel discouraged if you don’t master it right away. It may be frustrating at first, but before you know it, life with contact lenses can become second nature.

Don’t believe the myths

Many peoples’ fears of contact lenses come from myths spread by social media or word of mouth. Let’s clear some of these misconceptions up.

Myth: Contact lenses can go behind your eye

Nope — it’s impossible. Your eye’s anatomy includes a thin membrane called the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelid. This forms a barrier that prevents the lens from slipping behind your eye. If you’ve heard stories of finding “lost” contact lenses, this typically is because they were hidden in what’s called the sulcus, which is a pocket under your eyelid that can get deeper with age. Even so, while a lens can seem lost, it will always be able to be retrieved, whether by you or your eye doctor.

Myth: Eye infections are common with contacts

Some infections are preventable. They generally occur due to poor cleaning routines or neglecting hygiene. Keeping your lenses clean, washing your hands, and following your doctor’s instructions help minimize the risks.

Myth: Contact lenses are uncomfortable

It’s understandable to wonder, “Do contacts hurt?” Initially, they might feel a little strange or odd, but most people report that they soon forget they’re even there — no pain, just clear sight. If it hurts, it’s worth consulting your eye doctor to check your fit.

Myth: Contacts are difficult to care for

Thanks to new technology, caring for your lenses is actually quite simple. Daily disposable options take away the hassle completely — just wear ’em and toss ’em.

See more myths

Common challenges when putting on contacts

Sometimes it helps to know what other people struggle with to know you aren’t alone and motivate you to push through it. With that in mind, here are some of the common issues new wearers experience as they’re getting used to contact lenses.

Dropping the lens

If you drop your lens, what happens next depends on your lenses and how dirty the surface was that it fell on. If you’re wearing reusable lenses, you may be able to rinse with multipurpose disinfecting solution and put the lens back on your eye, but if the surface it fell on was dirty, it’s probably best to clean and store them overnight. For daily disposable lenses, follow the recommendation of your eye doctor. They may recommend throwing the lens away, or rinsing it in the solution from the lens packaging.

Struggling to get the lens to stay on your eye

You may find that it’s hard to get the lens to stick to your eye. Perhaps you place your contact on your eye, but as you pull your finger away, the contact lens comes with it. Often this is because your finger is too wet from the contact lens solution. Dry your fingertip off, and try again.

Blinking excessively or blinking the lens out

This reflex is natural. Try to relax, hold your eyelids steady, and take your time. It may take you a while to get used to having your finger near your eye. Remember that holding your eye open isn’t about pulling hard on it, but rather pinning the upper eyelid against the brow bone and the lower lid against the cheekbone with gentle pressure.

Contact lens is inside out

Sometimes, when you’re really struggling to get your contact lens on your eye, it’s because the lens is inside out. So how do you tell when your contact lens is inside out? If the edges flare out. A contact lens should look like a bowl with straight edges.

Feeling nervous or awkward

One tip to help promote relaxation is to open your mouth when you put your lenses on. This can prevent clenching your jaw. Also, remember that everyone starts as a beginner. You have to practice to develop the muscle memory, and that takes repetition. Before long, inserting your lenses will become second nature.

How to put on contacts

How it feels to wear contact lenses

Like a good pair of shoes, once your contact lenses are on your eye, they’re often comfortable enough that you quickly forget you’re wearing them. Sometimes, you can tell the contacts are there, as if there is a thin film over the eye, but even that tends to go away as you get used to wearing contacts. If your eyes hurt when you wear your contacts, or hurt when you put the contacts on, you need to reach out to your eye doctor. Contact lenses are not supposed to be uncomfortable or painful to wear.

Remember: If a contact lens feels uncomfortable, blurry, or itchy, take it out, clean it if it’s a reusable lens or get a new one if it’s a daily disposable lens, and try again. Sometimes, the lens might be inside out or not properly fitted. If problems persist, get in touch with your eye doctor.

What to expect when taking off your contact lenses

For some, this step is the biggest source of anxiety. But just like any other part of the process, with practice, it can become second nature.

It shouldn’t hurt

A common fear when people are learning to take off their contact lenses is that it will hurt to remove them. While it’s certainly possible to injure your eye if you aren’t gentle or if you aren’t careful, your contact lenses themselves shouldn’t be painful to remove. They should come right off when you follow the instructions provided by your eye doctor. If you’re feeling discomfort or pain when you remove your contact lenses, get in touch with your eye doctor as soon as you can.

They can’t get lost behind your eye

You may have heard the viral news story of the woman who had a bunch of contact lenses lost on her eye, but it’s important to note that those contact lenses didn’t go behind her eye, they got lost in a pocket under the eyelid, which can deepen as you age. It’s impossible for contact lenses to slide behind your eyeball thanks to the conjunctiva.

If a lens feels stuck, don't panic

You may have difficulty removing your contact lens, but rest assured, it isn’t stuck permanently. Often times the lens or your eye may have gotten a little dry, and simply using rewetting drops can loosen it up. If you still struggle, reach out to your eye doctor.

Be gentle

If should go without saying that you should keep long or sharp nails away from your eyeballs, and shouldn’t be rough or rush when you’re removing your contacts. As you learn to remove them, you’ll get a feel for how much pressure it takes to lift them from your eyeball, but it may take some getting used to.

If you wear reusable lenses, have your storage case ready

It’s all too common to remove your contact lens and then remember that you have to clean and store it. With reusable lenses, make sure you have your storage case and multipurpose disinfecting solution within arm’s reach.

How to take off contacts

Cleaning and storing reusable lenses

Reusable contact lenses take a little more work than daily disposables—you have to clean and store them overnight in disinfecting solution. While the exact method for cleaning your lenses depends on the instructions provided by the manufacturer, it often includes:

Gently rubbing your contact lenses with the cleaning solution
Storing in cleaning solution overnight
Rinsing before putting contact lenses in your eye

Cleaning and storage

What's next?

Still having trouble? Contact your eye doctor.

If you’ve practiced and practiced and are still struggling, get in touch with your eye doctor. They can walk you through removal again and may even provide an alternative method of removal.

Find an Eye Doctor

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do contact lenses hurt when put on the eye?

They shouldn’t. Pain when putting contacts on could be caused by damaged lenses, inverted lenses, dry eye, a poor fit, a scratched cornea or something else. If you experience pain when putting in your contacts, take them out and see if they’re inside out or damaged. If damaged, replace them. If they’re inside out, flip them over and try again. If the pain doesn’t go away, reach out to your eye doctor.

How long does it take to get used to contact lenses?

Most people adjust within a few days to a couple of weeks. Be patient, practice makes perfect!

Why do my eyes hurt after removing my contacts?

If your eye hurts after removing your contacts, it may be a scratch, irritation, or infection. If you’re experiencing eye pain after removing your contact lenses, contact your eye doctor.

Can I wear contacts if I have dry eyes?

It may be possible, but it depends on the assessment performed by your eye doctor.

Is it safe to wear contact lenses while swimming or showering?

You should never wear contact lenses if there’s any possibility they’ll come into contact with water. That includes water sports, swimming, showering, etc.

Can you shower with contacts?

How do I know if my contact is inside out?

Hold it to the light and look for a bowl shape. The correct side looks like a bowl, while the inside out resembles a saucer or shallow soup bowl with a rim.

Can contact lenses correct astigmatism?

Yes, there are special lenses called toric lenses designed specifically to fit the shape of the eye and correct astigmatism.

Understand toric contacts