Contact lenses are thin, curved medical devices worn directly on the tear film of the eye, primarily to correct vision. Most people wear soft contact lenses, made from flexible plastics that contain water and easily conform to the eye’s shape. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are smaller and made from a firmer material, offering crisp vision but requiring a longer adaptation period. Learning a safe and gentle removal technique is fundamental to maintaining good eye health and preventing injury or infection.
Essential Preparation and Hygiene
Before any lens handling, the most critical step is a thorough handwashing with soap and water. This removes oils, debris, and microorganisms that could transfer from your fingers to the lens and cause an eye infection. Hands should be scrubbed for a minimum of 20 seconds, paying attention to the areas between the fingers, and rinsed completely to ensure no soap residue remains.
After washing, dry your hands fully using a clean, lint-free towel. Moisture can make the lens slippery and introduce contaminants. Establish a routine of removing the same lens first every time, such as always starting with the right eye. This consistency is beneficial if you have different prescriptions for each eye, as it prevents accidentally mixing up the lenses.
Step-by-Step Removal Technique
The removal process begins by ensuring your eye is open enough to access the lens without excessive force. Use the index finger of your non-dominant hand to gently pull up on the upper eyelid. Simultaneously, use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull down on the lower eyelid. This prevents the lids from interfering with the lens as you attempt to grasp it.
Next, look upward toward the ceiling or away from your dominant hand. This helps keep your fingers away from the sensitive center of the eye. With the pad of your dominant hand’s index finger, gently touch the bottom edge of the soft contact lens and slide it down onto the white part of the eye (the sclera). Moving the lens off the cornea makes it easier to pinch and is less likely to cause discomfort.
Once the lens is on the sclera, use the pads of your index finger and thumb to gently pinch the lens. The slight pressure causes the edges of the lens to fold together, breaking the suction holding the lens to the eye’s surface. Lift the lens away from the eye. Ensure you use only the soft pads of your fingers, not your fingernails, to avoid scratching the lens or the cornea.
Handling Common Removal Difficulties
If the lens feels stuck or tightly adhered to the eye, it has likely dried out, which is common after long periods of wear. Do not attempt to force the lens off, as this can damage the delicate surface of the eye. Instead, apply a few drops of sterile saline or rewetting drops specifically approved for contact lenses.
After applying the drops, close your eye for a few seconds to allow the lens to rehydrate and become pliable. You can also gently massage the outside of the closed eyelid in a circular motion, which can encourage the lens to shift and move freely. If the lens has migrated slightly under the upper or lower eyelid, gently look in the opposite direction of the lens’s location while blinking to help recenter it.
Immediate Lens Care After Removal
After the lens has been successfully removed, the next steps depend on whether the lens is a daily disposable or reusable. Daily disposable lenses should be immediately discarded, as they are not designed to be cleaned or re-worn. For reusable lenses, proper cleaning and disinfection are required before storage.
The recommended method involves a “rub and rinse” technique, even if your solution is labeled “no-rub.” Place the lens in the palm of your clean hand, add a few drops of multipurpose solution, and gently rub the lens with your finger for 15 to 20 seconds to remove surface deposits. Rinse the lens thoroughly with fresh solution to wash away the loosened debris. Finally, place the cleaned lens into the appropriate chamber of the lens case, which must be filled with fresh disinfecting solution. Never reuse or “top off” old solution, as its disinfecting properties are compromised.