Safely removing contact lenses requires proper hygiene, gentle technique, and patience. Contacts are medical devices that sit directly on the delicate surface of the eye, making caution and cleanliness paramount. This guide provides straightforward methods for routine lens removal and solutions for common complications like dryness or a displaced lens. Understanding these steps helps prevent potential eye irritation or injury, ensuring healthy eyes while wearing contacts.
Preparation and Basic Removal Techniques
Before touching your eyes or lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with mild soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. This removes bacteria and debris that could cause infection. Dry your hands completely with a clean, lint-free towel to prevent water from interfering with the lens’s grip or introducing contaminants like Acanthamoeba.
The “Pinch Method” is the most common technique for removing soft contact lenses. Look up and use the middle finger of your non-dominant hand to gently pull down your lower eyelid. With the pads of your index finger and thumb, gently touch the lens and slide it down onto the white part of your eye (the sclera), where the tissue is less sensitive. Once the lens is off the cornea, delicately pinch it between your index finger and thumb, lifting it away from the eye’s surface.
The “Slide Method” is an alternative, useful if you are uncomfortable with direct pinching on the cornea. Look up and use your index finger pad to slide the lens downward toward the lower eyelid. As the lens reaches the bottom, gently catch it with your index finger and thumb or allow it to fold and lift away. Immediately after removal, place the lens into its case with fresh multipurpose solution for cleaning, or discard it if it is a daily disposable lens.
Troubleshooting a Dry or Stuck Lens
A soft contact lens may adhere tightly to the cornea due to dehydration from long wear time or sleeping in the lenses. Since attempting direct removal of a dry lens can cause discomfort or scratch the corneal surface, the first action must be to rehydrate the lens and the eye.
Apply a few drops of sterile saline or rewetting drops approved for contact lenses directly into the eye. These drops restore moisture, making the lens soft and pliable. Never use tap water or saliva, as they contain microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections.
After applying the drops, close your eye for a few seconds or gently blink several times. The lubrication helps break the bond, allowing the lens to float more freely. Once the lens moves, attempt removal using a gentle technique. Patience is important to avoid irritating the eye further.
Locating a Misplaced Lens
It is anatomically impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind the eye. The conjunctiva, a membrane lining the eyelids, folds back to connect with the eye’s surface, creating a physical barrier. Therefore, a lens can only shift off-center, sliding under the upper eyelid or down into the lower fornix.
To locate a lens under the upper eyelid, look down while gently pulling the upper lid up and away from the eye. If the lens is in the lower area, look up while pulling your lower lid down. The lens may appear folded or scrunched up.
If the lens is visible but not centered, use a clean fingertip to gently maneuver it back toward the center of the eye. Once repositioned over the cornea, remove it using the standard pinch or slide method. Applying a rewetting drop beforehand facilitates smoother repositioning.
When to Stop and Seek Professional Advice
Discontinue self-removal efforts immediately if you have made multiple, gentle, but unsuccessful attempts to remove a stuck or misplaced lens. Persistent manipulation can lead to a corneal abrasion (a scratch on the eye’s surface).
Seek professional medical attention from an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or emergency room if you experience specific symptoms. These include severe or persistent pain, excessive eye redness that does not subside quickly, or any noticeable change in vision quality like blurriness. These signs may indicate a serious issue, such as a deep corneal injury or a severe eye infection.