People, particularly women, have become so fond of using colored contacts these days. It pays to know as much as you can about contact lenses before you even buy your first pair. The following FAQ should help you out.

What happens when my left and right contact lenses get mixed up?

As a contact lens user, you’re probably aware that it’s not advisable to mix up your left and right lenses. You also probably have a way of knowing which case contains the contact lens for your right eye and which one contains the lens for your left eye. But what if they do get mixed up somehow? Well, you’re likely to feel a bit of discomfort and maybe even a painful stinging in your eyes. Needless to say, you need to remove the lenses immediately when this happens.

How do I know if my left and right contacts get mixed up?

Sometimes there’s no pain even when you get your colored contacts mixed up. If, even without pain or discomfort, you somehow have a feeling that you’ve got them mixed up, there’s an easy way to know for sure. Simply cover one of your eyes with your hand and observe your vision, and then do the same with the other eye. If one eye has better or worse vision, then you probably have the lenses mixed up. Try switching them and then observe each eye’s vision again.

How do I know if a lens is inside out?

There are generally three ways to tell if your colored contacts are inside out. First, you could place the lens on the tip of one finger such that it resembles a bowl. Check if the edges are smooth or if they flare outwards. If the latter is true, then your lens is indeed inside out. Second, you could place saline solution into the “bowl” of your lens drop by drop. If the edges start to curl inward, then the lens is in the right position. Otherwise, you’ve got it inside out. Third, you could place the lens on the crease of your palm just below your pinkie finger. Slowly, curl your fingers inward. If the edges of the lens also roll inwards, then it’s in the right position. Otherwise, it is inside out.

Should I replace a lens that has a slight tear on the edge even when it doesn’t bother me at all?

You most definitely should. Regardless of whether you’re bothered by the tear or not, a damaged lens has to be replaced. For all you know, it could already be causing damage to your eyes that you just haven’t noticed yet. Where your eyes are concerned, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

These are just some of the most important questions for which you should know the answers when you decide to wear colored contacts, or any kind of contact lens, on a regular basis. Safety, more than beauty, should always be your top concern.