A torn or ripped contact lens often causes immediate discomfort and concern. The primary consideration must be the health and safety of the ocular surface, as a fragment of lens material left in the eye can cause significant irritation. Address the situation calmly and gently to avoid further damage.
Immediate Steps for Safe Removal
The instinct to rub the eye when a foreign body sensation occurs must be firmly resisted, as friction can easily scratch the delicate corneal epithelium. Rubbing can embed a small lens fragment deeper or abrade the cornea. First, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent introducing microbes into the eye environment.
Once hands are clean, determine whether the tear is a small nick or if the lens has fractured into multiple pieces. If the tear is small and the lens is largely intact, attempt to remove it gently by sliding it toward the lower lid using the clean pad of a finger. If the lens has visibly fragmented, do not attempt to pinch or scrape the pieces out while the eye is dry.
To assist in the gentle removal of fragments, apply several drops of a sterile saline solution or contact lens rewetting drops liberally to the eye. This lubrication helps float the pieces and reduces the risk of them adhering tightly to the eye’s surface. Allow the solution to pool for a moment, then gently blink a few times to encourage the fragments to move toward the outer corner or lower lid margin for easier retrieval.
If fragments remain elusive, use clean, room-temperature water or saline to perform a gentle eye wash, tilting the head to allow the fluid to run away from the nose. After flushing, carefully inspect the visible parts of the eye and the underside of the lower eyelid for any lingering material. A clean cotton swab can be carefully used to pick up pieces that have collected on the lid margin, but never directly on the cornea.
Assessing the Eye After Removal
Even after the lens appears fully removed, assess the eye for any lingering fragments or irritation. The most telling sign of a retained piece is a persistent foreign body sensation, which feels like a grain of sand trapped under the eyelid. This feeling will not dissipate after several minutes of blinking or flushing, indicating a physical presence remains.
Another common indication of irritation or a microscopic fragment is excessive, reflexive tearing, as the lacrimal glands attempt to wash away the irritant. Inspect the sclera for localized redness concentrated in one area rather than general irritation. This focused redness often points to the precise location where a lens edge or fragment made contact with the conjunctiva.
If vision remains blurred after blinking and allowing the eye to rest, it may signal either a retained fragment distorting the tear film or a minor corneal surface abrasion. If symptoms like localized discomfort or blurred vision persist for more than an hour, assume a fragment may still be present and continuing to cause trauma.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention
While gentle home care resolves many ripped lens situations, certain symptoms indicate a higher risk of complications like corneal abrasion or microbial keratitis, requiring immediate professional evaluation. Severe, unremitting pain that does not lessen after the lens is removed and the eye is flushed is a definitive trigger for seeking urgent care, as this level of pain often suggests a significant scratch on the cornea.
A sudden and unexplained loss of vision, even if temporary, or the onset of photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light) should also prompt an immediate visit to an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Photophobia is a common sign of inflammation within the cornea or iris, which can be triggered by trauma or a developing infection.
If the eye exhibits visible signs of infection, such as yellowish or greenish discharge, or noticeable swelling of the eyelids, medical attention is required without delay. Furthermore, if persistent redness, discomfort, or the foreign body sensation lasts for a full 24 hours, a professional examination is needed to rule out a small retained fragment or an emerging infection.
Prevention and Proper Handling Techniques
Preventing a contact lens from ripping involves understanding the material’s physical properties and avoiding common handling errors. The polymer structure is designed for flexibility; allowing the lens to dry out significantly reduces its pliability and makes it highly susceptible to tearing. Always ensure lenses are adequately lubricated with solution before handling.
Many rips occur due to mechanical stress from fingernails. Keep nails trimmed short and use only the soft, clean pad of the finger to gently slide the lens off the eye. When storing lenses, ensure they are floating entirely in fresh solution and are not pinched or crushed by the edge of the lens case, which frequently causes peripheral tears.
Over-wearing a lens beyond its recommended schedule contributes to material degradation, making the lens weaker and more brittle. Adhering strictly to replacement cycles ensures the material retains its structural integrity. Lenses exposed to extreme temperatures or harsh tap water can also weaken, emphasizing the need for proper storage and cleaning with sterile solutions only.
Proper technique during insertion and removal minimizes stress points on the material. When removing, avoid folding the lens sharply; instead, gently pinch it at the base of the curvature to lift it from the eye surface. If a lens feels stiff upon waking, apply a rewetting drop and blink a few times before attempting removal, ensuring the lens is fully hydrated and flexible.