Ballast side down?

cfair_we · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2010, 10:12 AM

Does it really matter if you put your contact lenses (specifically the Proclear Torics) on upside down or not? By upside down, I mean the ballast part (the three lines) on the top of the eye instead of the bottom?

Sometimes I have trouble finding them right away and would just like to pop them in and have them automatically adjust after blinking.

Is that okay to do?

LP39A · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfair_we

Does it really matter if you put your contact lenses (specifically the Proclear Torics) on upside down or not? By upside down, I mean the ballast part (the three lines) on the top of the eye instead of the bottom?

Sometimes I have trouble finding them right away and would just like to pop them in and have them automatically adjust after blinking.

Is that okay to do?

Hi there, cfair_we. Welcome to Lens 101.

Proclear Toric lenses are designed so that they will automatically orient themselves the right way. So it's okay to just "pop them in and have them automatically adjust after blinking."

So I guess I could sum it up like this: Do you have to wear toric lenses a certain way? Yes.

Do you have to insert them that certain way? No.

Of course, it's much easier to put your Proclear Toric lenses in with the ballast at the bottom to begin with, but if for some reason you find that difficult, they will correct themselves.

cfair_we · #3 (**permalink**) 06-03-2010, 11:37 AM

Thanks for the answer LP39A.

I know it's better to put them in ballast side down, but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the mark or fumbling around with the lens to get it oriented correctly. With the Proclear Torics it really wasn't a problem to find the 3, but I've got a trial pair of Frequency 55s now with only one line that I have trouble seeing now.

Starr · #4 (**permalink**) 06-03-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfair_we

Thanks for the answer LP39A.

I know it's better to put them in ballast side down, but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the mark or fumbling around with the lens to get it oriented correctly. With the Proclear Torics it really wasn't a problem to find the 3, but I've got a trial pair of Frequency 55s now with only one line that I have trouble seeing now.

That's a good question, cfair. If you don't have your contacts in, how can you see them clearly enough to see that itty, bitty mark? It's almost comical.

"If you want to put your contacts in correctly and see clearly, look for this almost microscopic mark on the lens."

Niner · #5 (**permalink**) 06-03-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfair_we

Thanks for the answer LP39A.

I know it's better to put them in ballast side down, but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the mark or fumbling around with the lens to get it oriented correctly. With the Proclear Torics it really wasn't a problem to find the 3, but I've got a trial pair of Frequency 55s now with only one line that I have trouble seeing now.

Hi cfair_we.

Have you seen those little tools that can help you see the little 3 with? They're called "Lensvue 2" and there are some posts about them here in Lens 101.

Meanwhile, I found another post that suggested that "the words 'This side towards eye' be printed in large friendly letters on the inside surface of contact lenses."

However someone else countered with "I wouldn't want my eyeballs reading 'eye sdrawot edis sihT' all day."

HMBgal · #6 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 10:51 AM

Wow, I had no idea there were any markings on the lens! I wear these lenses every day and just feel lucky to get them in the first time, and this is after a year and a half of wearing them. They are so thin that I have trouble keeping them on my finger. So, lines, schmines, they go in the way they go in and I blink a few times and I can see just fine. But now I'm curious and will look for these lines. My ECP (don't get me started) never mentioned it, but not surprising in my case: I've gotten far better information here.

FirstDown · #7 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Wow, I had no idea there were any markings on the lens! I wear these lenses every day and just feel lucky to get them in the first time, and this is after a year and a half of wearing them. They are so thin that I have trouble keeping them on my finger. So, lines, schmines, they go in the way they go in and I blink a few times and I can see just fine. But now I'm curious and will look for these lines. My ECP (don't get me started) never mentioned it, but not surprising in my case: I've gotten far better information here.

I'm glad Lens 101 is useful to you.

I hope you know that the thing about "this side towards eye" was just a joke. A very funny one, too, when the sentence was written backwards.

HMBgal · #8 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstDown

I'm glad Lens 101 is useful to you.

I hope you know that the thing about "this side towards eye" was just a joke. A very funny one, too, when the sentence was written backwards.

Bwahahaha! But ya know? I miss alot being as blind as I am without my glasses/lenses! But, with as soft as these lenses are, it can be hard to figure out if they are inside out or not. The only truly reliable way I have to figure it out is the "taco test."

Guinness · #9 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Bwahahaha!

I had the same reaction to the post with the backward writing in it. Very clever!

Dragonslayer · #10 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Wow, I had no idea there were any markings on the lens! I wear these lenses every day and just feel lucky to get them in the first time, and this is after a year and a half of wearing them. They are so thin that I have trouble keeping them on my finger. So, lines, schmines, they go in the way they go in and I blink a few times and I can see just fine. But now I'm curious and will look for these lines. My ECP (don't get me started) never mentioned it, but not surprising in my case: I've gotten far better information here.

So you just insert them without looking for the mark and they orient themselves properly without a lot of fuss and blinking? Have you found this mark by now, but still don't use it because it's easier to just put the lens in? That would pretty much answer cfair_we's original question, I should think.

Niner · #11 (**permalink**) 07-15-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMBgal

Bwahahaha! But ya know? I miss alot being as blind as I am without my glasses/lenses! But, with as soft as these lenses are, it can be hard to figure out if they are inside out or not. The only truly reliable way I have to figure it out is the "taco test."

So do you wear Proclear Toric lenses, like it says at the top of this page, HMBgal? Why don't you explain this "taco test" for the benefit of those who haven't seen the other posts about it here?

Guinness · #12 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niner

So do you wear Proclear Toric lenses, like it says at the top of this page, HMBgal? Why don't you explain this "taco test" for the benefit of those who haven't seen the other posts about it here?

Yeah, HMBgal. Tell us what the "taco test" is.

FirstDown · #13 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfair_we

Does it really matter if you put your contact lenses (specifically the Proclear Torics) on upside down or not? By upside down, I mean the ballast part (the three lines) on the top of the eye instead of the bottom?

Sometimes I have trouble finding them right away and would just like to pop them in and have them automatically adjust after blinking.

Is that okay to do?

If you just pop them in, do you have to blink a lot to get the contacts to settle? I don't know about you, but my eyelids get heavy after fluttering them for more than a few seconds.

Niner · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstDown

If you just pop them in, do you have to blink a lot to get the contacts to settle? I don't know about you, but my eyelids get heavy after fluttering them for more than a few seconds.

I was thinking the same thing, FirstDown, and checking to make sure someone didn't post it already, but you did.

I'm still gonna answer.

If I had a choice between looking for a tiny inversion mark or just popping the lenses in and blinking them into place, I think I'd rather look for the mark myself.

FirstDown · #15 (**permalink**) 10-27-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niner

If I had a choice between looking for a tiny inversion mark or just popping the lenses in and blinking them into place, I think I'd rather look for the mark myself.

OK, so you'd look for the mark. Who here would pop and blink?

Dragonslayer · #16 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfair_we

Thanks for the answer LP39A.

I know it's better to put them in ballast side down, but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the mark or fumbling around with the lens to get it oriented correctly. With the Proclear Torics it really wasn't a problem to find the 3, but I've got a trial pair of Frequency 55s now with only one line that I have trouble seeing now.

Well, cfair_we. How are things with you and your Frequency 55 contacts now. Can you put them in and get them positioned without a lot of fuss?

Niner · #17 (**permalink**) 12-06-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstDown

OK, so you'd look for the mark. Who here would pop and blink?

Pop and blink. That sounds like a dance move.

Sorry. Imma let you finish.

FirstDown · #18 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niner

Pop and blink. That sounds like a dance move.

Sorry. Imma let you finish.

Oooo! Pop culture reference!

I'd add a picture, but I don't want to look at that clown any more.

Dragonslayer · #19 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstDown

Oooo! Pop culture reference!

I'd add a picture, but I don't want to look at that clown any more.

Agreed. What's-his-name isn't going to get publicity here if I can help it.

Starr · #20 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niner

Pop and blink. That sounds like a dance move.

Sorry. Imma let you finish.

You're right. I does kind sound like something you'd see on the dance floor.

FirstDown · #21 (**permalink**) 01-11-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinness

Yeah, HMBgal. Tell us what the "taco test" is.

Allow me, since HMBgal isn't answering.

"Hold the lens between your thumb and index finger and apply gentle pressure. The edges should fold toward each other like a taco. If the edges don't fold easily or if they turn outward toward your fingers, the lens is inside out."