It is a common fear among contact lens wearers that a lens might get “stuck behind the eye.” However, it is physically impossible for a contact lens to become irreversibly lost behind your eyeball. The natural anatomy of the eye provides a protective barrier that prevents this from occurring, offering reassurance that a dislodged lens, while uncomfortable, can be retrieved.
Eye Anatomy and Contact Lenses
The reason a contact lens cannot travel behind your eye lies in a protective membrane called the conjunctiva. This thin, soft pink tissue lines the inner surface of your eyelids and then folds back to cover the white part of your eyeball, known as the sclera. This continuous membrane forms a sealed pocket or barrier, often referred to as the fornix, which physically prevents any foreign object, including a contact lens, from getting behind the eye.
What Really Happens When a Contact Lens Gets Displaced
When a contact lens feels “lost” or “stuck,” it has shifted from its central position on the cornea and moved under an eyelid. This happens if the lens dries out, or if the eye is rubbed aggressively or experiences some form of trauma. The lens might fold in half and slide up under the upper eyelid or down under the lower eyelid, creating a sensation of something being in the eye.
To locate and remove a displaced contact lens, wash your hands with soap and water to prevent infection. Using a mirror in good lighting, try to locate the lens by pulling down your lower eyelid and looking upwards, or by lifting your upper eyelid and looking downwards. Applying a few drops of sterile saline solution or rewetting eye drops helps rehydrate the lens, making it easier to move.
Gently massage your closed eyelid over the area where you suspect the lens is located to reposition it. Blinking repeatedly also helps move the lens into a visible position. Once the lens moves to an accessible position, you can gently pinch it with your fingertips to remove it. If you are unable to locate or remove the lens after several attempts, or if your eye experiences persistent discomfort, redness, or unusual discharge, contact an optometrist for professional assistance.