Rigid Contact Lens Insertion & Removal

Before you begin

• Always work over a clean, flat surface
• Place a light-colored towel beneath your work area to catch dropped lenses
• Ensure your hands are thoroughly washed and dried
• Keep your nails trimmed and smooth
• Have all supplies ready:
  • Lens case with fresh solution
  • Hylo-Forte solution
  • Rigid suction cup lens remover (if using)
  • Sterile alcohol swabs
  • Mirror

How to insert a rigid contact lens (RGP)

STEP 1: PREPARATION

1. Wash and thoroughly dry your hands
2. Remove the lens from its case using either:
   • Clean fingertips
   • A rigid suction cup lens remover (small size)
3. Check the lens is clean and undamaged
4. Verify the lens is for the correct eye (sometimes the left lens is blue in colour)

STEP 2: LENS PREPARATION

1. Place the lens on your index fingertip
   • Keep your finger dry
   • Keep the lens wet
   • Tuck other fingers away
2. Add one fresh drop of Hylo-Forte solution in the bowl of the lens

STEP 3: INSERTION

1. Position yourself:
   • Either look straight into a wall-mounted mirror
   • Or use a mirror laid flat on the table (recommended for beginners as it prevents the lens from sliding off)
2. Hold your eyelids:
   • Pull down your lower lid with the middle finger of your lens-holding hand
   • Hold your upper lid firmly near the lashes with your other hand
3. Look straight ahead at your eye in the mirror
4. Place the lens directly on the colored part of your eye
5. Release your eyelids in order:
   • Lower lid first
   • Then slowly release upper lid
6. Blink gently several times

STEP 4: COMFORT CHECK

• If the lens doesn’t feel comfortable:
  1. Remove it
  2. Clean it thoroughly
  3. Re-insert

How to remove a RGP lens 

There are a few different methods used to remove a rigid gas permeable lens.  

METHOD 1: BLINK METHOD

1. Look straight ahead
2. Open your eyes as wide as possible
3. Pull the skin at the edge of your eyelid
4. Blink firmly
   • Be prepared to catch the lens as it may come out quickly
5. If unsuccessful:
   • Relax
   • Blink several times
   • Try again

METHOD 2: SHOVEL METHOD

1. Position your eyelids:
   • Place edge of upper lid above the lens
   • Place edge of lower lid below the lens
2. Simultaneously tuck both eyelids under the edges of the lens
3. Push gently to remove the lens
4. If unsuccessful:
   • Relax
   • Blink several times
   • Reposition and try again

METHOD 3: SUCTION CUP METHOD (RECCOMENDED FOR BEGINNERS)

1. Prepare the suction cup:
   • Wet the tip with conditioning solution or saline
2. Look straight ahead
3. Press the suction cup directly onto the center of the lens
4. Gently pull the lens away from your eye
5. Remove lens from suction cup:
   • Slide the lens sideways off the suction cup
   • Don’t pull straight off as this can damage the lens
6. Clean the suction cup with a sterile alcohol swab after use

LENS POSITIONING TIPS

If the lens moves off-center (onto the white of your eye):

1. Do NOT touch the lens directly with your finger
2. Either:
   • Gently push the lens through your closed eyelid
   • OR use the edge of your eyelid to guide the lens back to centre
3. You may also remove it with the suction cup