Experiencing a contact lens stuck in your eye is unsettling, often happening when a lens dries out, is worn too long, or is dislodged from the central cornea. The eye’s natural anatomy, specifically the conjunctiva, prevents a lens from truly getting “lost” behind the eyeball; it remains accessible on the eye’s surface or under an eyelid. Understanding the difference between normal discomfort and a truly stuck lens is the first step toward a safe resolution. This guide provides clear information on how to identify, locate, and safely remove a contact lens that has shifted out of place.
Recognizable Symptoms
The clearest indication of a dislodged or stuck contact lens is persistent, localized discomfort that does not resolve with blinking. This feeling is often described as a gritty, scratching, or foreign body sensation, similar to having a grain of sand lodged in the eye. This irritation is the eye’s response to the lens pressing against the sensitive conjunctiva or cornea.
Visible signs often accompany this discomfort, including noticeable redness in the affected eye. Excessive tearing or watering is another common symptom, as the eye attempts to flush out the foreign object. If the lens is folded or significantly off-center, you may also experience blurred or distorted vision. Sharp, burning pain or difficulty opening the eye without irritation are stronger indicators that the lens is firmly adhered or causing friction.
Step-by-Step Self-Examination
Before touching your eye, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water and dry them on a lint-free towel to prevent introducing bacteria or debris. Next, visually confirm the lens’s location using a well-lit mirror. A dislodged soft lens often has a slight tint, which helps you spot its edges against the white sclera or if it is folded upon itself.
To check under the lower lid, gently pull the lower eyelid down with a clean finger while looking upward. If the lens is not visible there, focus on the upper eyelid, where the lens most commonly migrates when dry. While looking downward, gently lift the upper eyelid and slowly roll your eye toward your nose and then your ear, which can help reveal a lens tucked up high. Moving your eye in the direction opposite to where you feel the lens can sometimes reposition it back toward the center of the cornea for easier access.
Immediate Steps for Safe Removal
If the lens is centered but feels stuck, it is likely dehydrated and adhering to the cornea, requiring rehydration before removal. Apply a few drops of sterile saline or contact lens-approved rewetting drops to the eye; this helps the lens absorb moisture and become pliable. Avoid using tap water, which is not sterile and can introduce infection.
Once the eye is lubricated, close your eyelid and gently massage the outside of the upper eyelid in a circular motion to encourage the lens to slide back into position. For a soft lens, this gentle motion helps break the suction and move the lens from under the lid to the center of the eye. If the lens is a rigid gas-permeable (RGP) type, avoid all eyelid massage, as the hard material could scratch the cornea.
For a stuck RGP lens, gently press the pad of your finger against the eye just outside the edge of the lens to break the suction seal. Once any type of lens is centered and moving freely, attempt the standard removal technique, such as the gentle pinch method using your thumb and forefinger. A severely dried lens may require multiple applications of drops and up to ten minutes to fully rehydrate before it can be safely removed.
Knowing When to Seek Medical Attention
While most stuck contacts can be managed at home, certain symptoms warn that professional help is needed. If you are unable to locate or remove the lens after several careful attempts, or if the lens remains stuck for more than a few hours, contact an eye care professional. Continuing to probe a dry or stuck lens can cause a corneal abrasion, which requires medical assessment.
Seek immediate attention if you experience persistent or increasing severe pain, or if your eye remains significantly red and irritated after the lens has been successfully removed. These symptoms can indicate a corneal scratch or other injury that requires examination. Any noticeable change in vision, such as persistent blurriness, cloudiness, or sensitivity to light that does not quickly resolve, suggests a complication requiring prompt evaluation.