A contact lens securely adhered to the eye is a common issue for many wearers and is usually resolvable at home. A lens becomes “stuck” when it loses moisture and adheres to the eye’s surface, often after sleeping or extended wear. This guide provides a safe, step-by-step process for dislodging and removing a stubborn lens while minimizing the risk of eye irritation or damage.
Essential Preparation Before Removal
Ensure proper hygiene to prevent the introduction of bacteria into the eye. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, and then dry them completely with a clean, lint-free towel. This prevents transferring oils or germs to the lens or the eye surface.
Determine the lens’s exact location and condition using a mirror and bright lighting. A soft lens stuck directly on the cornea usually indicates significant dryness. If the lens has migrated off-center, it is still accessible and cannot get lost behind the eye due to the conjunctival fold.
The primary mechanism causing a soft lens to stick is dehydration, which reduces its flexibility and causes it to suction onto the eye. Therefore, rehydrating the lens is necessary before attempting physical removal. Avoid rubbing the eye, as this can fold the lens, push it further out of sight, or cause a corneal abrasion.
Step-by-Step Safe Removal Techniques
The most effective technique for a dried-out, centered lens is lubrication and rehydration. Apply a steady stream of preservative-free saline solution or contact lens-approved rewetting drops to the eye. These solutions restore the lens’s natural shape and flexibility, allowing it to move freely again.
After applying the drops, close your eye and gently massage your upper eyelid in a circular motion to distribute the liquid and encourage the lens to shift. Repeatedly blink, which helps redistribute the moisture and uses the natural pressure of the eyelids to gently dislodge the lens. It may take up to fifteen minutes and several applications of drops for the lens to fully rehydrate and become movable.
If the lens is off-center, use eye movement to slide it back toward the center. If the lens is under the upper eyelid, look down; if it is in a side corner, look in the opposite direction. For a lens lodged under the lower eyelid, gently pull the lid down and use the clean pad of your finger to slide the lens back onto the white of the eye or the cornea.
Once the lens is moving freely, remove it using the standard pinch technique. If it is a rigid gas permeable lens stuck on the white of the eye, gently press on the eye surface next to the edge of the lens to break the suction. Under no circumstances should tweezers, fingernails, or any sharp objects be used, as these can easily scratch the eye’s surface.
Post-Removal Care and Warning Signs
After removing the lens, immediately inspect it closely to ensure it is intact and that no small pieces have remained in your eye. A torn lens fragment left on the eye can cause persistent irritation and increase the risk of infection. If the lens is damaged, monitor for symptoms, assuming a piece may be remaining.
Give the affected eye time to recover by avoiding the immediate reinsertion of a new lens. If the eye feels dry or mildly irritated, use sterile saline or artificial tears to soothe the surface. Resting the eye for a few hours allows the surface to normalize.
If you continue to experience persistent pain, a gritty sensation, excessive redness, or blurred vision after the lens is out, this may indicate a corneal abrasion. These symptoms, or the inability to remove the lens after multiple attempts, signal the need to seek prompt attention from an eye care professional. Continued discomfort suggests an injury requiring evaluation and treatment.