Losing track of a contact lens is a common experience that can cause immediate worry. This often occurs when the eye becomes dry, causing the lens to adhere less securely to the cornea, or if the lens shifts during a rub or blink. Determining the lens’s status quickly is the first step in resolving the discomfort.
Common Signs the Lens is Present or Absent
When a contact lens is present but displaced, the most common feeling is persistent irritation, often described as scratchiness or a foreign body sensation. This discomfort usually intensifies with blinking as the eyelid drags across the shifted lens edge. If the lens is centered on the cornea, vision will be clear. However, a sudden, persistent blurriness that does not clear with blinking indicates a dislodged or folded lens.
Conversely, the lens’s absence is often marked by an immediate return to the standard uncorrected vision. A momentary feeling of wetness or a slight sting might accompany the lens falling out, quickly followed by the sensation of nothing being in the eye. The eye may still feel irritated for a short time even after the lens has fallen out due to minor corneal abrasion or dryness.
Techniques for Visual Confirmation
Before attempting any physical check, lubricate the eye using sterile saline or fresh contact lens solution. A dry lens is less visible and more likely to stick to the conjunctiva, making it difficult to locate or move. Once lubricated, move to a brightly lit area and use a magnified mirror if one is available for visual confirmation.
The visual inspection involves gently manipulating the eyelids while looking in different directions. Start by pulling the lower eyelid down and looking up to scan the lower conjunctiva. Next, pull the upper eyelid up by pressing lightly on the lashes, and then look down.
This movement allows the lens to become visible against the white of the eye or encourages it to slide back toward the center of the cornea. If the lens is present, it will often appear as a faint, colored disc or a crescent shape near the edge of the iris.
Locating a Displaced or Stuck Lens
If the initial visual check fails, the lens may be folded or lodged high beneath the upper eyelid. First, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to prevent introducing bacteria. Remember that a contact lens cannot physically get lost “behind the eye,” as the conjunctival membrane forms a barrier.
A simple technique for encouraging a stuck lens to move is to close the eye and gently massage the outer eyelid in a circular motion. This action can help unfold a bunched-up lens or slide a displaced lens toward the center of the eye. Follow this with several drops of rewetting solution or sterile saline to increase lubrication.
After adding the drops, blink repeatedly and gently to allow the fluid dynamics of the eye to assist the lens in recentering. If the lens is present, it will often slide back into view for gentle removal. If the lens remains stuck after a few minutes of gentle effort, take a break to avoid further irritation.
Next Steps and When to Call a Doctor
If the contact lens is successfully located and removed, give the eye time to rest and recover. Avoid immediately inserting a new lens, as the cornea may be irritated or scratched from the search. Using a preservative-free lubricating eye drop can help soothe any residual scratchiness.
If the lens is not found after thorough searching, the safest assumption is that it has fallen out of the eye. However, monitor the eye closely for persistent symptoms that may indicate a complication. Severe or increasing pain, noticeable redness, light sensitivity, or any unusual discharge are signs that the cornea may be scratched or that an infection has begun. If these symptoms continue for more than a few hours, consult an eye care professional immediately for an examination.