A soft contact lens tear, whether during handling or while worn, is a common frustration. Many wearers wonder if a small rip can be salvaged to avoid opening a new package. The definitive answer is that a ripped contact lens cannot be safely fixed or worn again. Contact lenses are highly engineered medical devices that must maintain a perfect, smooth surface and specific curvature. The discovery of a tear, no matter how small, means the lens must be disposed of immediately to protect your vision and eye health.
Why Repairing a Contact Lens Is Dangerous
Soft contact lenses are designed with a specific, smooth geometry to sit comfortably on the delicate corneal surface. A tear instantly compromises this integrity, creating an irregular edge that can be surprisingly sharp and abrasive against the eye’s tissue. The jagged edges of a torn lens can easily scratch the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped outer layer of the eye. This damage, known as a corneal abrasion, is painful and leaves the eye vulnerable to serious complications.
Even a microscopic tear can disrupt the lens’s intended function, including allowing oxygen to reach the cornea. A damaged lens can interfere with the tear film layer, potentially reducing oxygen flow and increasing the risk of hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, to the corneal cells. Furthermore, any break in the lens material creates a rough site where bacteria and other microorganisms can accumulate more easily than on a smooth surface. This accumulation of pathogens significantly increases the risk of developing a severe eye infection, such as microbial keratitis, which can threaten vision.
The lens’s ability to correct vision relies on its precise curvature and fit on the eye. A ripped lens will not sit correctly, often leading to blurred or distorted vision or excessive movement. Attempting to repair the lens with adhesives or by trimming the edge would introduce toxic chemicals and further rough surfaces. This makes the lens exponentially more hazardous and is never worth the risk to your long-term eye health.
Immediate Steps When a Lens Rips
If you discover a lens has ripped while in your eye, remove it immediately. Thoroughly wash and dry your hands with a lint-free towel to prevent introducing bacteria or debris. If your eye feels dry, apply approved rewetting solution to lubricate the lens and facilitate removal.
Gently attempt to remove the largest piece of the lens using the pads of your fingers, sliding it toward the corner of your eye before pinching it out. The primary concern is ensuring that no small fragments of the lens remain in the eye, as these can continue to cause irritation and abrasion. You should keep all removed pieces in your lens case or on a clean surface to confirm the entire lens has been accounted for.
If you suspect a piece is still present, gently massage your closed eyelid or rinse your eye with sterile saline solution to try and flush or dislodge the fragment. If you cannot locate or remove all fragments, or if your eye remains red, irritated, or painful after removal, you must contact your eye care professional immediately. Do not rub your eye, as this can embed the sharp fragment further into the corneal tissue.
Preventing Future Lens Damage
Preventing a tear starts with meticulous and gentle handling of the lenses. Always wash your hands with a non-oily, non-lotion soap and dry them completely with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses. Wet lenses combined with wet fingertips can cause the soft material to stick and tear more easily upon removal or insertion.
When removing lenses from the case, use the pad of your index finger rather than your fingernails, which can easily nick or puncture the delicate material. When cleaning, rub the lens gently in the palm of your hand with fresh solution, avoiding aggressive scrubbing or folding. If a lens folds over itself, gently massage it in a pool of solution in your palm until it unfolds, or place it back into the case with fresh solution.
Proper storage is also a factor in preventing damage, as a dry lens becomes brittle and highly susceptible to tearing. Ensure your lens case is filled completely with fresh solution so the lens is fully submerged and does not stick to the dry plastic surface. Replacing lenses on their recommended schedule is another preventative measure, as older lenses are more fragile and prone to damage.