You did it!

You’ve made the switch from glasses to contacts and have joined an estimated 45 million Americans who enjoy perfect vision without relying on glasses. Contact lenses offer many benefits — not the least of which is that you can finally wear those cute sunglasses you’ve had your eyes on!

But like anything, wearing contacts for the first time comes with a bit of a learning curve. You may even feel nervous about having to put something directly onto your eye. Well, have no fear. We’re here to tell you everything you need to expect when wearing contacts for the first time.

But first…

At what age can you start wearing contact lenses?

There is no magic age that makes a child ready for the responsibility of contacts. Physically, a child’s eyes can tolerate contact lenses at a very young age.

The question should not be, “Is my child old enough for contact lenses?” but rather, “Is my child ready for the responsibility of contact lenses?”

Contact lenses require good hygiene and adherence to eye safety practices. And while they may be old enough to wear contact lenses, children may be more prone to behaviors that can put their eye health at risk — such as sleeping with contacts on, putting them in with unwashed hands, using saliva to moisten the lens, and more.

In fact, according to a study published in Pediatrics, about 13,500 (a quarter) of the roughly more than 70,000 children who go to the emergency room each year for injuries and complications from medical devices are related to contact lenses. The problems from contact lenses include infections, eye abrasions, and even corneal ulcers.

Daily contact lenses are by far the safest option for your child’s eyes since a new, clean pair is used each day. Aveo daily contact lenses take the safety and comfort of your eyes a step further with unique lens technology such as AquaLock to lock in moisture and BlissEdge to help keep your eyes oxygenated and comfortable.

What to expect when wearing contact lenses for the first time:

1. You’ll need to practice putting them in.

As you can probably imagine, placing something directly onto your eye doesn’t come naturally to most people. You might find yourself flinching, blinking, or struggling to get the lens in correctly. But don’t worry, after a little while, it will become second nature.

Here are some tips for putting in your contacts:

1. Wash your hands! Always. Then, dry them on a clean, lint-free towel.
2. Gently remove the contact lens from the container with your index finger. Place it on your finger so that it looks like a small bowl.
3. Make sure the lens is not inside out. If it is, the edges will flare out slightly, and you’ll need to flip it to be right side out.
4. With your other hand, hold your eyelids open.
5. While looking up towards the ceiling or in front of you, place the lens on your eye.
6. Slowly close your eyes and either roll them in a circle or move them from side to side to help the lens settle in place. Then open your eyes and gently blink a few times.

Voilà! Now repeat for the other eye. If you don’t get it the first time, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, lubricate the lens again using contact lens solution, and try again.

2. There is an adjustment period.

Once you have them in, you’re good to go, right? Not quite. Most people adjust to new contact lenses within 10–12 days.

What you might experience during the adjustment period:

• Teary eyes: The presence of contact lenses may cause your eyes to react with tears. After a short time, your eyes will get used to them, and the excessive tearing will stop.
• Dry eyes: On the other hand, wearing contact lenses may do the opposite and make your eyes dry instead. Use eye drops that are safe for contact lenses to help rewet your eyes, or choose contact lenses with moisture-locking technology, such as Aveo daily contacts.
• Blurriness: Blurriness is common for new contact lens wearers and usually occurs because the lens is dry. As mentioned above, opting for contact lenses with technology that locks in moisture, such as Aveo daily contacts with AquaLock, can help ensure a smooth transition.
• Eye fatigue: Your eyes may begin to feel tired when you’re first starting to wear contact lenses. To prevent and treat eye fatigue, you may want to start by only wearing your contacts for a few hours at a time and working your way up to a full day. However, always speak to your eye doctor and follow their recommendations.

What you shouldn’t experience during the adjustment period:

Most uncomfortable side effects that occur while wearing contact lenses come from improper use or incompatibility with the lenses. If you experience any of the following side effects, remove your contacts immediately and consult your eye doctor.

• Eye infections: Infections can cause irritation, pain, discoloration, and even vision disturbances. To avoid eye infections, make sure you always wash your hands before touching the contacts, and avoid swimming, sleeping, and overusing your lenses.
• Prolonged irritation: Some minor irritation upon first placing your contacts on your eyes is normal, but if this irritation persists, it can indicate a problem with the lens or your eye.
• Eye strain: If you experience a headache, burning sensation, sensitivity to light, and neck, shoulder, or back pain, this may be a result of eye strain. Remove your contacts to let your eyes rest and speak with your doctor.

3. You’ll need to choose the right contacts for you.

When first choosing contact lenses, you may be surprised at how many different options there are! Contact lenses are not all created equal, and finding the right option for you will help make your transition smooth and comfortable.

The lens material and technology play an important role in promoting the comfort and safety of your eyes. Unlike other subscription brands, Aveo contact lenses are manufactured in-house, which means we carefully control and choose every aspect of production — for safer, more comfortable, and sustainably-made contacts for you.

Different types of contact lenses also mean that there are many different prices out there. Remember, just because contact lenses are more expensive does not necessarily mean that they’re better. If the lenses are made with third-party manufacturers or sold through retailers, you’re paying not only for the contacts but for all the additional markups that accrue as well.

With Aveo, our in-house manufacturing and direct-to-consumer model means that we can offer you premium contact lenses that are healthy for your eyes and the planet, at an affordable price (not to mention you can have them delivered right to your door).

Practice makes perfect

Wearing contacts for the first time involves a learning curve, but once you’ve found the right contacts for you and mastered putting them in and removing them, you’ll be shocked you didn’t make the switch sooner.