When a contact lens feels stuck in the eye, the problem is usually solvable at home. The sensation of a lens being “stuck” means it has dried out and adhered tightly to the cornea or has moved out of position beneath an eyelid. It is reassuring to know that due to the anatomical barrier created by the conjunctiva, a lens cannot actually get lost or travel behind the eyeball. The aim is to remove the lens gently and effectively to prevent damage to the delicate surface of the eye.
Immediate Preparation and Safety Measures
Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, ensuring you avoid any oil- or lotion-based soaps that could transfer residue to the lens or eye. Drying your hands with a lint-free towel is advisable to prevent introducing fibers into the eye. Good lighting and a mirror are necessary to accurately locate the lens before attempting any physical manipulation.
Remaining calm is important because excessive rubbing or panicking can increase eye irritation and make removal more difficult. The primary reason a soft lens adheres to the eye is dehydration, which causes it to lose its flexibility. Therefore, lubrication is necessary, which rehydrates the lens and restores its pliability.
Use sterile saline solution, multi-purpose contact lens solution, or rewetting drops to flood the eye’s surface. These solutions are formulated to be safe for the eye and will begin to loosen the lens’s grip. Allow the solution to saturate the eye for a few minutes, blinking gently to help distribute the moisture over the entire lens surface.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Removal
The technique for removal depends on the lens’s position, generally falling into one of two scenarios: a dried, centered lens or a misplaced, off-center lens. If the lens is centered on the cornea but will not budge, it is dry and has lost its natural curvature. Rinse the eye repeatedly with drops for up to ten minutes, closing the eye and gently massaging the upper eyelid to encourage the lens to rehydrate and move freely.
Once the lens feels loose and pliable again, slide it down to the white of the eye, or the sclera, before attempting to pinch it. Sliding it onto the sclera minimizes the risk of potentially damaging the sensitive corneal tissue. Use the pads of your index finger and thumb to gently pinch the lens’s edges together to lift it off the eye’s surface.
If the lens is misplaced or folded, causing a foreign body sensation under an eyelid, it has likely traveled up under the upper lid. To coax the lens back into view, look in the direction opposite to where the lens is felt; for instance, look down if the lens is felt under the upper lid. Gently massaging the eyelid over the perceived location of the lens can help work it toward the center of the eye.
Applying additional lubricating drops and blinking frequently can help float the lens back into a removable position. If the lens is still elusive, putting in a new lens can sometimes catch the displaced lens and help pull it toward the center. This strategy helps consolidate the two lenses for a single, careful removal.
Post-Removal Care and Eye Recovery
After successfully removing the stuck lens, do not re-insert a contact lens for a minimum of 24 hours to allow the cornea time to recover from any minor irritation. During this resting period, you should wear glasses.
The eye may feel scratchy, irritated, or appear red due to the lens’s dehydration and the manipulation required for removal. Using preservative-free artificial tears can soothe the eye, providing lubrication to the corneal surface and easing mild discomfort. These symptoms are expected and usually resolve within a few hours.
Before discarding the lens, inspect it to ensure it is intact and that no torn fragments remain in the eye. A torn lens fragment can continue to cause irritation. If the lens is damaged, or if the initial discomfort does not quickly subside, the eye may require further attention.
Recognizing Serious Symptoms and Seeking Professional Help
While most stuck lenses are removed without serious incident, certain symptoms indicate a need for immediate attention from an eye care professional or an emergency room. Persistent, worsening pain that does not improve after the lens is out suggests a more significant issue, such as a corneal abrasion or a deeper scratch.
Other warning signs include blurred vision that remains after the lens is removed and the eye has been rested, or the persistent feeling that a foreign object is still present. Excessive light sensitivity (photophobia) or the presence of unusual discharge from the eye warrants prompt medical consultation.
These symptoms may suggest an infection or a corneal injury that requires prescription treatment. Continuing to attempt removal or self-treating a painful, damaged eye risks permanent vision impairment.