A dried contact lens adhering to the surface of the eye is a common experience for lens wearers. This adherence occurs when the lens material loses its water content and becomes stiff, effectively suctioning itself to the ocular surface. The immediate priority is to remain calm and resist the impulse to forcefully pinch or rub the lens while it is dry. Attempting to remove a dehydrated, rigid lens can easily lead to a corneal abrasion. The safe path to removal begins with a sequential process of thorough lubrication before any physical manipulation is attempted.
Essential Preparation: Rehydrating the Stuck Lens
Lubricating the eye is the first and most important step, as a soft contact lens must be fully saturated to regain its flexibility and detach from the eye’s surface. A dry hydrogel or silicone hydrogel lens is essentially a piece of stiff plastic that will scrape the cornea if forced to move. Safe lubricating agents include sterile saline solution, contact lens rewetting drops, or a multipurpose contact lens solution. It is important to avoid using tap water or saliva, as these introduce harmful microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections.
To begin the rehydration process, you should lie down or tilt your head back to help the liquid pool over the lens. Apply a generous stream of the chosen solution directly onto the eye and the stuck lens. The goal is to flood the area, allowing the lens material to slowly reabsorb the fluid it has lost. You should then close your eye and wait patiently for several minutes, allowing the solution time to work its way underneath the lens and soften it. This waiting period is necessary for the lens to become pliable and move freely again, often requiring five to ten minutes of repeated application.
Gentle Techniques for Safe Removal
Once the lens feels significantly softer and you sense it moving slightly, you can proceed with gentle maneuvers to dislodge it. First, ensure your hands are freshly washed with a non-lotion soap and dried with a lint-free towel to prevent the introduction of debris or bacteria. With your eye closed, gently massage your eyelid in a small circular motion to encourage the lens to slide toward the center of the eye. You may also try looking in the opposite direction of where the lens is stuck, which can help reposition it on the white of the eye.
If the lens is stubbornly centered on the cornea, purposeful, rapid blinking can help distribute the lubricating fluid and encourage the lens to float. After the lens moves freely onto the sclera, you can use the standard pinch removal technique. Using the pads of your thumb and index finger, gently pinch the lens off the eye, being careful not to use your fingernails, which can damage the lens or the eye. If the lens resists movement at any point, immediately stop and apply more rewetting drops, repeating the entire rehydration process.
Knowing When to Call a Doctor
While most stuck lenses can be safely removed at home, certain symptoms require immediate professional attention from an eye care provider. Ignoring these symptoms risks an infection or complications that could affect your long-term vision.
You should seek help if you experience:
- Persistent or severe pain that does not resolve shortly after the lens is removed.
- Extreme redness that worsens or fails to subside after an hour.
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light) or a persistent blurring or decrease in vision.
- Inability to locate the lens after multiple attempts, or suspicion that a piece of a torn lens remains in the eye.
Understanding Why Lenses Dry Out
Contact lenses dry out and adhere to the eye when the evaporation of tear film moisture exceeds the rate of tear production. A common factor is a reduced blink rate, which frequently occurs during prolonged periods of screen use. Blinking naturally cleanses and re-lubricates the lens, and blinking less often causes the lens to dry out more rapidly.
Environmental conditions also play a significant role, particularly exposure to dry air from air conditioning, forced-air heating, or high-altitude environments. Wearing lenses for longer than the recommended duration reduces the lens’s ability to retain moisture and can lead to drying and sticking. Furthermore, certain systemic medications, including some antihistamines and decongestants, can reduce overall tear production, making the lenses more susceptible to dehydration.