Contact lenses offer a convenient alternative to glasses, providing clear vision and comfort. After long wear times or when waking from a nap, people often forget they are wearing them. When an eye suddenly feels irritated or vision is blurry, determining if the lens is still in place is the immediate concern. The goal is to use reliable diagnostic methods to confirm the lens’s presence without causing damage.
Sensory and Vision Indicators
The initial clue relies on the contrast between comfortable wear and sudden irritation. A properly centered, well-hydrated lens provides a smooth, comfortable sensation, feeling like nothing is in the eye at all. If the lens has fallen out, vision in that eye will be immediately and significantly blurry, especially for those with a strong prescription. A simple vision check, such as covering the other eye, can confirm if distance vision is suddenly poor, indicating the lens is likely gone.
If the lens is still present but has shifted or dried out, the sensation changes dramatically. This manifests as a gritty feeling, persistent discomfort, or the distinct sense of a foreign object being stuck in the eye. This feeling is the eye reacting to the lens’s edge rubbing against sensitive tissue. Excessive tearing, redness, or sudden sensitivity to light are also common responses when a lens is misplaced or has debris underneath it.
Blurred or hazy vision can occur even if the lens is present, often due to protein deposits or dehydration. In contrast, if vision is clear without glasses, the contact lens is almost certainly correctly positioned on the cornea. This simple visual confirmation is the quickest way to rule out a lost lens.
The Visual Inspection Techniques
When sensory cues are ambiguous, a physical examination of the eye’s surface is necessary, beginning with thorough hand washing to prevent contamination. The most common method is the “mirror check,” where you look closely at your eye under a bright, focused light source. A contact lens, even if clear, has a slight tint or an observable edge that can be detected when it moves off the central iris and onto the white sclera.
To inspect the entire surface, gently pull the lower eyelid down while looking up, and then pull the upper eyelid up while looking down. This maneuver exposes the superior and inferior conjunctival sacs, which are the only places a lens can fold and hide, as the conjunctiva prevents it from slipping behind the eye. A gentle blink test can sometimes reposition a lens that has shifted to the corner of the eye. If you suspect the lens is present but dry and immobile, a gentle massage over the closed eyelid may help loosen it before attempting removal.
Immediate Safety Steps If Unsure
If the visual inspection fails to locate a lens but irritation persists, the immediate priority is to prevent corneal damage. The first step is to apply preservative-free lubricating eye drops or sterile saline solution. This rehydrates the eye and the lens, allowing a dry, stuck lens to regain flexibility and float more freely.
Do not rub the eye, as this can scratch the cornea if a dry or folded lens is present. If the drops do not immediately improve comfort, continue to gently inspect the eyelid area, as a lens can sometimes get folded and tucked underneath a lid. If the lens is still not visible after rehydration and careful inspection, assume it has fallen out and wear glasses. Consult an eye care professional if the eye becomes increasingly red or painful.