When a contact lens feels stuck, the situation is common for contact lens wearers and is usually resolvable at home. A soft lens cannot migrate behind the eye because the conjunctiva, a membrane connecting the inner eyelid to the eyeball, creates a physiological barrier. Understanding this limitation helps maintain calm and prevents aggressive manipulation. The first step is to pause, relax, and prepare the eye for gentle removal.
Immediate Techniques for Soft Lens Removal
The first and most important step in removing a stuck soft lens is to re-establish hydration, as dryness is the primary reason the lens adheres to the cornea. Begin by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and drying them completely to prevent introducing bacteria or oils to the eye. Once hands are clean, apply a few drops of sterile saline solution, contact lens rewetting drops, or an approved multipurpose solution directly to the eye and the lens. It is important to avoid using tap water, which can harbor microorganisms that pose an infection risk.
Allow the drops a few seconds to work, rehydrating the hydrogel material of the soft lens, which should cause it to regain its natural flexibility and move more freely. Gently close the eye and blink several times, which uses the natural movement of the eyelids to help moisturize the lens and gently dislodge it from the corneal surface. If the lens is not immediately centered, you can gently massage the closed upper eyelid with a clean fingertip to encourage the lens to move back toward the center of the eye.
Once the lens feels mobile, the standard pinch technique can be attempted, using the index finger and thumb to gently grasp the lens off the eye. Alternatively, if the lens is decentered, look in the opposite direction from where the lens is located, then gently press the lid over the lens to slide it back toward the cornea. Patience is necessary, as this process may need to be repeated over 10 to 15 minutes of gentle attempts, focusing on keeping the eye lubricated throughout.
Why Contact Lenses Get Stuck
Soft contact lenses primarily adhere to the eye when they become dehydrated, which is the most frequent cause of a “stuck” feeling. Lenses are designed to maintain a specific water content, and when they lose this moisture, they shrink slightly and tightly conform to the shape of the cornea. This loss of hydration commonly occurs after falling asleep while wearing lenses, which reduces the eye’s natural tear production and oxygen flow.
Another common reason is that the lens has migrated, or decentered, off the cornea and lodged itself beneath an eyelid. This movement can be triggered by rubbing the eye, a sudden forceful blink, or a loose lens fit. The lens can fold or roll up on itself, making it feel like a foreign object is present.
Environmental factors also contribute to lens adherence, such as dry air conditions, prolonged screen time that reduces the natural blink rate, or exposure to irritants like smoke or debris. These conditions diminish the tear film layer that normally lubricates the space between the lens and the eye. When the tear film is compromised, the lens material can directly contact and stick to the surface of the eye.
When to Stop Trying and Seek Help
While most stuck lenses are resolved at home, there are specific warning signs that indicate the need for immediate professional medical attention from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you experience severe, persistent eye pain that does not subside after the lens is removed, or if the pain increases during removal attempts, stop immediately. Continuing to manipulate the eye under these conditions can risk causing or worsening a corneal abrasion, which is a scratch on the clear front surface of the eye.
Other serious symptoms include a dramatic increase in eye redness, significant sensitivity to light (photophobia), or a persistent sensation that something is scratching the eye. These signs can suggest corneal damage or the beginning of a serious eye infection, such as a corneal ulcer, which requires prompt treatment. If gentle removal attempts are unsuccessful after about 30 minutes, or if you suspect the lens has torn and a piece remains, seeking professional assistance is the safest course of action.
Preventing Future Incidents
The most effective strategy for preventing lenses from getting stuck involves proactive measures that prioritize ocular hydration and adherence to proper wear schedules. Never wear your soft lenses while sleeping, even for short naps, as this is a primary cause of lens dehydration and adhesion. Always remove contacts before showering or swimming to prevent potential infection from waterborne pathogens and to avoid dislodging the lens.
Integrating rewetting drops into your daily routine, especially during long periods of screen use or in dry environments, helps maintain the lens’s water content throughout the day. These drops reinforce the tear film, ensuring the lens remains flexible and less likely to adhere to the cornea. Adhering strictly to the prescribed replacement schedule is also important, as older lenses can accumulate deposits that affect their hydration properties and comfort.