The sudden feeling of a contact lens tearing in your eye can be alarming, but it is a common issue managed safely with the right approach. The jagged edges of a broken lens pose a risk of scratching the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye. Immediate and careful action is important. Remaining calm is the first step, as panic can lead to rubbing the eye, which is the most damaging thing you can do. The goal is to safely remove all fragments while preventing infection and further injury.
Immediate Actions to Stabilize the Eye
Before attempting any removal, stop rubbing your eye, even if the sensation is irritating, because friction from the broken edges can cause a corneal abrasion. The first action is to meticulously wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, cleaning beneath your fingernails. Dry your hands with a lint-free towel. This hygienic step prevents the introduction of bacteria that could lead to an eye infection.
After hand washing, focus on lubricating the eye to encourage fragments to move away from the sensitive central cornea. Gently closing your eye or blinking rapidly stimulates tear production, which may help float the pieces to an easier position for removal. If blinking does not help, apply a few drops of sterile saline solution or rewetting drops to add lubrication. The priority at this stage is stabilization and preventing injury, not immediate extraction.
Safe Removal Techniques for Broken Fragments
Once your eye is stabilized, work in a well-lit area, ideally in front of a mirror, to locate any remaining lens pieces. Use your fingers to gently hold your eyelids open. Methodically look up, down, and side to side to locate the fragments. If you find a piece, the safest technique is to gently move it from the central cornea to the white part of the eye (the sclera) or the inner corner.
To remove the fragment, use the pad of your clean fingertip, not your fingernail, to gently pinch or lift the piece off the eye’s surface. Do not use tweezers or any sharp tools, as they can cause damage. If the fragment is difficult to grasp, flush the eye with a steady stream of preservative-free sterile saline solution. This can help guide tiny pieces out. Keep all removed pieces in your lens case to compare them to the original lens size and confirm all fragments have been accounted for.
Monitoring and Recovery After Fragment Removal
Assuming all broken contact lens fragments have been removed, the eye requires a period of rest to recover from the irritation. The jagged edges of the lens may have caused a minor scratch on the corneal surface, which the eye is capable of healing quickly. Use lubricating eye drops to keep the eye surface moist and soothed, aiding the healing process.
Avoid wearing a contact lens in the affected eye until the scratchy or foreign body sensation is completely gone, which may take up to a day or two. Switching to glasses for this recovery period is recommended, as reintroducing a contact lens too soon can exacerbate irritation or trap bacteria. If residual irritation persists longer than 30 minutes to an hour after removal, it may indicate a significant corneal abrasion requiring professional attention.
Critical Symptoms Requiring Emergency Care
Specific symptoms signal a serious eye injury or the onset of an infection, requiring immediate medical evaluation by an eye care professional or an emergency room. Persistent or severe pain that continues to increase or does not subside within 30 minutes to an hour after removing the fragment is a warning sign. If you experience a noticeable decrease in vision, new blurriness, or extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia), seek urgent care.
Other symptoms that prompt an immediate medical visit include the feeling that something is still stuck despite flushing, or the presence of discharge, excessive tearing, or swelling. These symptoms can indicate a serious condition like a corneal ulcer or microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is a severe infection that can rapidly cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Do not delay seeking professional help if you notice any of these signs.