Step-by-step guide: how to put on your contact lenses like a pro

Whether you’re a beginner putting on contact lenses for the first time or you just want to brush up on your skills, follow along with this step-by-step guide to help you insert your contact lenses.

Medically reviewed on August 9, 2025
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Published on November 12, 2025
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5 minute read

Step 1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly

Faucet water running over clean hands

The first step, every time? Start with clean, dry hands. Use a mild soap free from oils, fragrances, or lotions. Wash well, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a lint-free towel or a microfiber cloth. Clean hands help prevent bacteria or oils from transferring to your lenses or eyes, which can help keep you from experiencing infections or discomfort. This is also why it’s recommended that you put on your contact lenses before applying makeup (which can also make it easier to see what you’re doing).

Step 2. Check the packaging

When you’re starting with fresh contact lenses, whether that means you’re wearing daily disposables or reusable lenses, you always want to make sure that the packaging is not open or damaged, because this can introduce bacteria. Visually inspect it for tears, and make sure the contact lens inside is floating in solution.

Step 3: Put the contact lens on your fingertip and check it

Close-up of a hand with a contact lens on the fingertip

Place a finger on the lens and slide the lens up the side of the bowl of the lens packaging or contact lens case. Set it on the tip of your fingertip, ideally your index or middle finger of your dominant hand. The lens should look like a tiny bowl with straight edges. If it looks like a cup with flared edges, it’s inside out. Some lenses also have text or numbers on them to help you know if the lens is inside out or not. Ask your eye doctor if your lens has an “inversion mark” and how to use it.

 

Pro tip: Make sure the lens isn’t damaged or torn. If anything looks off, or if it doesn’t hold the proper shape, discard it and grab a fresh one.

Visual learner? Follow along with our how-to videos.

Step 4. Hold your eyelids open

An Asian woman holds her eyelids open in preparation to put her contacts on

Use your non-dominant hand to gently pull up your upper eyelid. It may be helpful to think of it as “pinning your lid against your brow.” You just need to provide enough pressure to keep yourself from blinking.  Then, with a finger of your dominant hand (the one not holding a contact lens), gently pull down the lower lid. It may be helpful to think of this part as “pinning your lower lid to your cheek bone.” Combined, this helps expose more of your eye and makes the process more comfortable.

Step 5. Place the lens

Cropped shot of a young Black woman putting on her contact lenses at home

Look straight ahead or upward. Either position is fine, so choose whatever feels most comfortable to you. Very gently, touch the lens to the surface of your eye or just on the white part. You don’t have to press hard—let the moisture and natural adhesion do the work. Now, let go of your eyelids, close them slowly, then gently blink a few times to help settle the lens into place. If everything went well, after a few seconds the lens should feel comfortable, and your vision should become clear.

Step 6: Check your lens placement

After putting your contact lens on, blink a few times and see how your eye feels. Is the lens centered? Comfortable? Clear vision? If it feels weird or blurry, you might need to adjust or remove and reinsert. If there’s a bubble. Try to look “into the bubble,” as this can help work the bubble out from under the lens.

 

Quick tip: Moving your eyes in different directions (up, down, left, right) can help position the lens more comfortably and improve vision clarity.

Can’t quite figure it out? Talk to your eye doctor.

Putting on contact lenses shouldn’t be a stressful experience.  If you ever feel unsure or encounter persistent problems, your eye doctor is just a call away. 

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if my contact lens is inside out?

There are several methods. For the “bowl vs. saucer" test, check the shape of the lens. It should form a smooth, bowl-shaped curve with edges curling inward. If the edges flare outward or it looks like a saucer, it’s probably inside out. Alternatively, some lenses have “inversion markings” on the surface to help.

What’s the easiest way for beginners to put on contact lenses?

Start with good lighting, use a mirror, and gently place the lens on the moist surface of your eye or the white area. Blink slowly and avoid rushing. It may take you a few tries or more each time until you get the hang of it.

Can I use tools like contact lens inserters?

Soft contact lens removal should generally be done without the use of tools, because a contact lens may need to be removed quickly in certain situations, like contamination or chemical exposure. Relying on a tool could be problematic in those situations if a tool is not available and you are not good at removing your contact lenses with your fingers. In certain situations your eye doctor may recommend a remover tool, like if you have limited use of your fingers, but always defer to the instructions and recommendations of your eye doctor.

What if my lens keeps slipping or I keep dropping it?

Practice handling your lenses with dry, clean hands. Remember to go slowly and work on staying relaxed. If you continue to struggle, reach out to your eye doctor for guidance.

I’m worried I might damage my lenses or hurt my eyes. What should I do?

It’s totally normal to be afraid of hurting your eyes. It’s a natural human instinct to want to protect our delicate eyes. But with patience and a gentle approach, almost anyone can learn to put on lenses safely. Remember to handle lenses with care, keep nails short, and don’t apply excessive force. If you’re uncomfortable, ask your eye doctor for tips or a demonstration.

What should I do if I accidentally drop my lens?

If it is a daily disposable lens, it’s best to throw it away and use a new one. If you wear reusable lenses, you'll need to soak them for the recommended disinfection time indicated in the solution instructions, usually several hours to overnight.

Why is it important to keep hands clean and dry?

Clean, dry hands protect your eyes from bacteria, dirt, and oils that can cause irritation or infections. Always wash before handling your lenses.

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The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.

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