Experiencing a contact lens firmly adhered to the eye can be unsettling. This situation, often caused by dryness or falling asleep with lenses in, creates a suction that prevents normal removal. It is important to approach this without panic or aggressive manipulation of the eye surface. This guide offers a safe, step-by-step procedure for dislodging and removing a stuck lens while protecting the health of your cornea.
Immediate Steps and Preparation
Hygiene is essential before attempting any removal maneuver to prevent introducing microorganisms to the eye. Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them completely on a lint-free towel. Next, locate the lens to assess its position, determining if it is centered on the cornea or has migrated off-center.
If the centered lens is stuck, adhesion is likely due to dehydration. The first step is to reintroduce moisture to the lens and eye surface. Apply a generous amount of sterile saline solution or contact-lens-safe rewetting drops directly into the eye. This lubrication rehydrates the soft lens material, making it pliable and reducing the suction effect. Do not rub your eye until the lens is fully rehydrated and free-moving, as this could cause corneal irritation.
Techniques for a Dry or Centered Lens
A soft lens stuck directly over the cornea has often dried out. After lubricating the eye with drops, close your eye and gently massage your upper eyelid in a circular motion. This helps the fluid work its way underneath the lens, encouraging it to loosen its grip. Repeat adding drops and gently massaging or blinking repeatedly until the lens begins to move freely.
Once the lens is rehydrated and mobile, proceed with a standard removal technique. The gentle slide method involves using a clean, dry fingertip to lightly push the lens from the sensitive cornea onto the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. Moving the lens to the sclera makes final removal more comfortable because this area is less sensitive. Once the lens is on the sclera, use the pinch method: gently grasp the lens between the pads of your index finger and thumb to lift it off the eye.
Addressing a Folded or Displaced Lens
A lens can fold onto itself or migrate away from the center, often ending up beneath the upper or lower eyelid. While a lens cannot physically get lost behind the eye, it can be difficult to locate when tucked under the conjunctiva. To encourage a displaced lens to move, look in the direction opposite to where you suspect the lens is lodged. For example, if you feel the lens under your upper lid, look sharply downward.
Looking in the opposite direction helps stretch the conjunctiva, which can dislodge the lens and guide it toward the center of the eye. You can also gently massage the outside of the closed eyelid in the area where you feel the lens. This light pressure helps work the lens back onto the cornea where it can be seen and removed.
If the lens remains elusive, applying more rewetting drops and blinking may help float it toward the center. In rare cases where a soft lens remains stuck under the upper lid, inserting a fresh soft contact lens can sometimes help. The fresh lens may adhere to the displaced one and pull it back into position as you blink, allowing both to be removed together. Ensure your hands are dry when attempting the final pinch to grip the lens effectively.
When to Stop Trying and Seek Help
While most stuck lenses can be removed at home, certain warning signs necessitate professional intervention. Contact an eye care professional immediately if you experience severe, unrelenting pain or if your vision becomes noticeably blurred after removal attempts. Persistent, excessive redness that does not diminish is another indicator of irritation or damage.
Other red flags include heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) or any unusual discharge from the eye. If you have attempted the removal process intermittently for a couple of hours without success, stop to prevent further trauma to the eye surface. Continuing to manipulate an eye with a stuck lens significantly increases the risk of a corneal abrasion or infection. An eye doctor can remove the lens safely using specialized tools.