The sudden, uncomfortable sensation of a contact lens shifting out of place often triggers the fear that it has disappeared behind the eye. This anxiety arises when the lens is not visible on the cornea. A lens that feels stuck has simply migrated from its central position and become lodged under the upper or lower eyelid. It is physically impossible for a contact lens to travel to the back of the eye and get truly lost.
Where Contact Lenses Can and Cannot Go
The eye socket includes a natural barrier that makes the idea of a lens slipping behind the eyeball impossible. This protective tissue is the conjunctiva, a thin, clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye (sclera). The conjunctiva folds back to line the inner surface of the eyelids, creating a continuous pocket called the conjunctival sac, or cul-de-sac.
This anatomical arrangement acts as a physical wall, preventing any foreign object, including a contact lens, from moving past the front surface of the eye. A lens can slide up beneath the upper eyelid or down under the lower eyelid, where it may fold or dry out, causing the sensation of being stuck. It remains trapped within this protective pocket, always retrievable from the front of the eye.
Step-by-Step Guide for Safe Removal
The first step in managing a stuck lens is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to prevent introducing bacteria or debris into the eye. A lens often becomes stuck because it has dried out and adhered to the eye’s surface, so rehydration is necessary. Apply a few drops of sterile saline solution, contact lens rewetting drops, or artificial tears directly into the affected eye.
Close your eye and gently massage your eyelid to encourage the lens to re-center or become dislodged from the eyelid fold. You can also try looking in the opposite direction of where you feel the lens is stuck to help pull it out of the cul-de-sac. For example, if you suspect the lens is under the upper lid, look down toward your nose.
Once the lens is rehydrated and begins to move freely, you can remove it using your standard technique, such as gently pinching it between your thumb and forefinger. Exercise caution when attempting to remove rigid gas permeable lenses, as their firm structure means massaging the eyelid could cause a corneal scratch. Instead, try to break the lens’s suction by lightly pressing on the eye just outside the edge of the lens.
The Safety Thresholds for Retention
Leaving a contact lens stuck or retained in the eye for a prolonged period introduces risk of complications. There is no specific number of hours that defines a safe limit, but the lens should be removed as quickly as possible. The immediate danger of prolonged retention stems from potential damage to the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye.
A stuck or dry lens can rub against the corneal surface, causing tiny scratches known as corneal abrasions. These abrasions are painful and increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, a retained lens may block the eye’s access to oxygen, a condition that can lead to corneal swelling and damage over time.
Soft lenses, which are made of flexible, water-containing material, are more likely to dry out and stick to the eye, making the removal process more urgent. Leaving a lens in for days significantly increases the chances of developing severe infections like keratitis or conjunctivitis, which can threaten vision. The primary goal should always be removal within hours, not days, to minimize these serious risks.
Critical Signs Requiring Medical Attention
If you are unable to remove the lens after several attempts, or if your symptoms worsen even after the lens is out, seek professional care from an eye doctor. Experiencing severe, persistent pain that does not resolve after removal suggests a potential corneal abrasion or other injury that requires evaluation.
Warning signs that require medical attention include:
- A sudden, noticeable change in vision, such as increased blurriness.
- The presence of an unusual discharge from the eye.
- Significant redness that fails to subside.
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), which may indicate a developing eye infection.
If a stuck contact lens remains unlocated after 24 hours of searching and attempts at removal, a professional examination is necessary. Prompt intervention is required to ensure the lens is not folded and lodged deep within the eyelid and to prevent long-term vision damage.