13 Realities All Contact Lens Wearers Face, as Told by GIFs

Updated on 6/5/2016 at 4:00 PM

I'll never forget the first day I wore my contact lenses in public. I was in eighth grade (fully embracing '90s beauty trends) and felt supermature about my new responsibility. Of course, all that pride went out the window when I adjusted a lens, causing it to fold in on itself . . . promptly losing it somewhere in my eye. I spent a panicked half-hour in the back of a dark auditorium applying weird pressure to my lids in the hopes of rescuing my lens.

I escaped that experience unscathed but informed, and I have since become more cautious about how I treat my contacts. After all, improper care could cause blindness! However, there are still some struggles I face today, including numerous eye makeup issues. After talking to some fellow lens wearers, I learned that many of my tribulations are commonplace in our clique. If you're one of my nearsighted sisters, I'm sure you'll be able to relate! Read on and prepare to crack up.

You make weird faces when adjusting your contacts hands-free.

People think you're judging them, but you're really just trying to add a bit more moisture to your eyes.

Putting your lenses in after applying makeup ends in disaster.

If you haven't already inadvertently coated your lenses with eyeliner, keep a tissue on hand for the inevitable streaking!

You know exactly how long is too long when it comes to your nails.

You have a very specific filing schedule and are wary of acrylics.

Before you put your contacts in, you're pretty helpless.

Thank god for cell phones — that flashlight feature has prevented many a stubbed toe.

Hopping in the shower sans lenses fills you with regret.

A moment of silence for all the nicked ankles, please. Shaving your legs by feel is a serious challenge.

Dropping a lens on the floor is the worst.

Especially if you haven't put one in yet. How are you supposed to find it?

You struggle to adjust to your lack of peripheral vision when wearing your glasses.

The sad truth is that glasses-wearers don't really get to indulge in side-eye.

You're a pro at putting in eye drops.

Therefore, you are asked to administer drops in all your friends' peepers and have held them down in the name of eye moisture. (Are your eyes watering just looking at this GIF?)

People incorrectly assume you're crying all the time.

"It's just extra contact lens solution, I swear!"

You know how to rub your eyes without affecting your makeup.

Sometimes, only a rub can soothe that itchiness, but it must be done carefully or you'll get glitter everywhere.

Friends watch you put in lenses with a mix of fascination and horror.

"You're just going to put your finger in your eye? EW!"

Accidentally sleeping in your lenses shocks you the morning after.

"OMG, I can see! I'm cured! But why are my eyes so dry? No, wait . . . I just left my lenses in."

There's no better feeling than popping in a fresh pair of lenses.

Moisture, comfort, and 20/20 vision . . . ahhhh.