It is an immediately unsettling experience to realize that a contact lens has broken, leaving a fragment lodged somewhere in the eye. The jagged edge of a torn lens presents a risk of scratching the delicate corneal surface, making prompt and gentle removal necessary. Maintaining a calm approach is the first step, as panic can lead to rubbing the eye, which significantly increases the chance of causing an injury. The eye’s natural anatomy prevents a lens from truly getting “lost” behind the eye, so the piece is accessible, though it may be tucked under an eyelid.
Immediate Steps for Safe Removal
The removal process must begin with a thorough washing of the hands using soap and water, ensuring they are clean and dry to avoid introducing bacteria into the eye. Next, lubricate the eye by applying preservative-free saline solution or rewetting drops designed for contact lens wearers. This added moisture helps to “float” the piece, preventing it from sticking to the cornea and allowing it to move more freely.
Once the eye is lubricated, try blinking repeatedly, as the natural action of the eyelids can sometimes move the broken piece to a more accessible location. If the fragment is not immediately visible, look up, down and side to side while gently holding the eyelids open to locate it. You can also try gently massaging the closed upper or lower eyelid where you feel the piece, encouraging it to dislodge.
When the fragment is located, use the pad of a clean fingertip—not the fingernail—to gently slide the piece toward the white of the eye, away from the iris. Once it is on the white part of the eye or at the corner, carefully pinch it between the pads of your index finger and thumb to remove it.
A powerful alternative is flushing the eye by tilting your head and pouring a steady stream of sterile saline solution over the eye, which may wash the small fragment out. Never attempt to remove the piece by rubbing the eye, as this is a common cause of corneal abrasions. Avoid using tap water for flushing, as it is not sterile and poses a serious infection risk. Save any removed fragments to help determine if the entire broken lens has been accounted for.
How to Confirm the Piece is Gone
Successful removal should be followed by a clear, immediate change in sensation; the foreign body feeling that signals the presence of the fragment should stop almost instantly. If the sensation of something being in the eye persists, it suggests that a micro-fragment may remain, or that the initial piece has caused a corneal scratch. A visual check of the eye’s surface, using a mirror or with the help of another person, can confirm the piece is no longer visible.
A minor amount of redness or slight irritation after removal is a common reaction to the physical manipulation and the initial trauma. Confirmation can also come from the piece itself: if the removed fragment, when placed next to the main part of the torn lens, forms a complete circle, the eye is clear. If the feeling of pain or irritation continues for more than an hour after the lens piece is out, professional assessment is required.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Specific signs and circumstances indicate the need for immediate professional eye care from an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or emergency room. If you have attempted the gentle removal steps multiple times without success and the fragment remains lodged in the eye, do not continue to struggle, as this risks serious damage. A professional has specialized tools, like a slit lamp, that allow them to precisely locate and safely remove the fragment.
Persistent or worsening symptoms after the removal of the piece also warrant a consultation. These symptoms are signs of potential infection or a significant corneal abrasion, which require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious complications:
- Sharp or stinging pain
- Severe or increasing redness
- Any change in vision, such as blurriness or a foggy appearance
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- The presence of excessive discharge