Removing contact lenses, particularly when they feel dry or stuck, requires patience and a gentle approach to protect the delicate surface of the eye. Safe contact lens removal begins with establishing a clean and controlled environment. Strict hygiene practices are the first steps toward preventing eye irritation or potential infection during this routine task.
Essential Preparation Before Touching Your Eye
Before touching the eye, hands must be thoroughly cleaned using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This action removes transient microorganisms that could be transferred to the lens or the ocular surface, potentially causing an infection. Hands should then be dried completely with a clean, lint-free towel or cloth to prevent water from diluting contact lens solutions or introducing debris.
Fingernails should be kept short and smooth, as rough or long edges can scratch the cornea or the lens surface during removal attempts. If the contact lens feels dry or is adhering tightly, it is necessary to first re-wet the lens. Applying several drops of sterile saline solution or approved rewetting drops helps to float the lens slightly away from the corneal surface. Allowing this lubrication to soak in for a few minutes significantly reduces the friction and discomfort.
Never use tap water to rehydrate the lens or eye, as water contains microorganisms that can adhere to the lens and potentially cause severe eye infections. This preparatory step ensures the lens is movable and minimizes the risk of epithelial damage during removal.
Step-by-Step Methods for Safe Contact Removal
The most common technique for soft lenses is the pinch or fold method, which requires careful placement of the fingers. Begin by looking upward and using the middle finger of the dominant hand to gently pull down the lower eyelid. With the thumb and index finger, lightly slide the lens down onto the white part of the eye (sclera) where sensation is less acute.
Once on the sclera, the lens can be gently pinched or folded between the thumb and index finger to break the suction and lift it away from the eye. It is important to avoid pressing the fingers directly onto the cornea, the clear dome covering the iris and pupil, to prevent potential injury. This method is effective because soft lenses are pliable and easily collapse when compressed.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) or hard lenses require a different approach because they are smaller and do not fold. The blink and catch method utilizes the eyelid structure to dislodge the lens quickly and safely. While holding the head over an open palm or a clean towel, the wearer places an index finger near the outer corner of the upper eyelid and pulls the skin taut.
A sudden, firm blink is then executed, causing the taut eyelid to catch the edge of the RGP lens and pop it free. This technique should be practiced gently, as excessive force can cause the lens to fly away unexpectedly. This focused method minimizes direct contact with the eye, making the removal process efficient for these less flexible lens types.
Troubleshooting Common Removal Difficulties
When a soft lens proves difficult to remove, it is often due to dehydration, which increases its adherence to the cornea through capillary action. Attempting to forcefully peel a dry lens away can cause minor abrasions on the sensitive corneal epithelium. If the lens feels stuck, generously apply preservative-free rewetting drops and close the eye for five to ten minutes, allowing the lens to rehydrate and regain flexibility.
Following this soaking period, the standard pinch method should be attempted again with significantly less resistance. Sometimes a soft lens folds in half or moves away from the center of the eye, seemingly disappearing under the eyelid. It is important to know that the lens cannot physically travel behind the eye because the conjunctiva prevents anything from passing into the orbital cavity.
To locate a misplaced lens, gently look in the opposite direction of where the lens is suspected, which helps stretch the conjunctiva and bring the lens into view. A gentle massage of the closed eyelid can sometimes coax a folded or hidden lens back toward the center. Once located, the lens must be fully rehydrated before attempting removal to avoid tearing the lens or scratching the eye while pulling on a dry edge.
The lens should feel slick and movable before any removal attempt is made. Recognizing the signs of potential injury is paramount when troubleshooting difficult removal. If sharp, persistent pain, increased light sensitivity, or extreme redness develops during or after an attempt, stop immediately. Continuing to manipulate the eye when these symptoms are present risks creating or worsening a corneal abrasion or infection.
If vision remains persistently blurry after the lens is successfully removed, or if eye pain continues for more than an hour, contact an eye care professional immediately for an examination. Stopping when pain occurs prioritizes the long-term health of the cornea over immediate removal.