A contact lens that feels stuck in your eye is a common issue for lens wearers. It is physically impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye. The conjunctiva, a thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and lining the eyelids, acts as a natural barrier, preventing anything from slipping into the back of the socket. The stuck sensation usually means the lens has dried out and adhered to the cornea, or it has migrated beneath an eyelid.
Preparing the Eye for Removal
The initial step is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel. This hygiene measure prevents the transfer of bacteria or debris to your eye, which could cause infection. Do not attempt to remove the lens until your hands are completely clean and dry.
The stuck lens is likely dry, causing it to cling tightly to the eye’s surface. You must rehydrate the lens before attempting physical manipulation. Apply a generous amount of sterile saline solution, contact lens rewetting drops, or contact-safe lubricating drops directly into your eye. Avoid using tap water, which contains microorganisms that can cause eye infections.
After applying the drops, close your eye and blink several times to distribute the fluid across the lens. This process can take several minutes, as the lens needs time to soften and return to its pliable state. If the lens is centered, gently massage your closed upper eyelid until you feel the lens begin to move freely. Once the lens is rehydrated and movable, you can proceed to the removal techniques.
Step-by-Step Techniques for Safe Extraction
For a soft lens that is centered but still stuck, gently slide it off the cornea and onto the white of your eye (sclera). Once the lens is on the sclera, use the standard pinch method with your thumb and forefinger to remove it. Use the flat pads of your fingers, not the tips, to avoid scratching the eye. If the lens has folded onto itself, try rinsing your eye again with rewetting drops and blinking rapidly. This can sometimes cause the folded lens to partially unfold and move to a removable position.
If the lens has migrated and is lodged under the upper or lower eyelid, you must first locate its position. To expose a lens stuck under the upper lid, look down while gently pulling the upper lid away from the eye. If it is under the lower lid, look up and pull the lower lid down. Looking in the direction opposite the lens’s location helps expose the lens for manipulation.
Once located, gently guide the lens toward the center of your eye using the pad of your finger on the outside of the eyelid or by touching the edge of the lens itself. If the lens is stubborn, a gentle massage of the closed eyelid can help coax it back to the cornea. For an elusive lens stuck high under the eyelid, inserting a fresh, well-hydrated contact lens and blinking normally can sometimes help dislodge the stuck lens and bring it to the center. Gentleness is necessary throughout this process to prevent a corneal abrasion, which is a scratch on the eye’s surface.
Signs That Require Immediate Medical Attention
While most stuck contacts can be removed at home, specific signs indicate when to stop attempts and seek professional help. If you cannot remove the lens after repeated, gentle attempts, or if your eye remains intensely irritated after the lens is out, contact an eye care professional. Do not aggressively pull at the lens, as this can cause injury to the cornea.
Severe, persistent pain, especially a sharp or scratching sensation, is a warning sign that the cornea may be injured. A decrease in vision, extreme redness that does not subside, or light sensitivity following removal attempts also warrants an immediate visit to an optometrist or emergency room. These symptoms could signal a corneal abrasion or infection requiring medical treatment. If you believe the lens has torn and pieces remain in your eye, professional help is necessary to ensure all fragments are safely removed.
Common Reasons Lenses Become Lodged
The most frequent cause of a contact lens becoming stuck is dry eyes. When the tear film is insufficient, the lens loses hydration and adheres to the eye’s surface, making it difficult to slide or pinch off. This drying effect is often compounded by environmental factors like air conditioning, wind, or extended screen time, which reduce the natural blinking rate.
Sleeping in contact lenses, even those approved for extended wear, increases the likelihood of the lens drying out and sticking to the eye. Lack of proper tear flow during sleep causes the lens to become tightly bound to the cornea. Rubbing your eyes vigorously is another common culprit, as the mechanical force can dislodge the lens and push it up beneath the upper eyelid. Ensuring adequate lubrication upon insertion and strictly adhering to the recommended wear schedule are the best preventative measures.