Having a contact lens adhere firmly to the eye is a common experience. This difficulty in removal is usually a solvable problem, often caused by simple physical changes on the eye’s surface, and rarely indicates a serious complication. Understanding the underlying reasons for adherence helps you approach the situation calmly and use the correct technique to safely dislodge it. The goal is to re-establish the necessary lubrication between the lens and the cornea so the lens can be safely handled.
Common Physical Causes for Adherence
The primary reason a soft contact lens refuses to come off is a lack of moisture, leading to a strong adhesive effect on the cornea. When the lens dries out, often from sleeping in lenses or prolonged wear, the tear film beneath the lens thins and becomes highly viscous, essentially gluing the lens to the eye’s surface. This thin, thick tear film creates strong intermolecular attractions between the lens material and the corneal tissue.
A second common issue is lens displacement, where the contact slides off the center of the eye and often folds or tucks itself under the upper eyelid. The lens cannot truly get “lost” behind the eye, but it can become difficult to locate and retrieve when displaced. The movement of the eyelid can press the lens against the eye, making it cling to the conjunctiva or sclera, the white part of the eye.
For rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses, adherence often relates to an overly tight fit or a strong suction effect. An RGP lens may adhere due to tear film thinning, similar to soft lenses, but their rigid structure can also create a vacuum seal against the cornea. This suction must be broken before the lens can be removed, and the hard material makes massaging the eye risky due to the potential for corneal damage.
Safe and Effective Removal Methods
The first step for any stuck contact lens is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to prevent introducing bacteria or oils into your eye. Next, you must rehydrate the lens and the eye’s surface by using several drops of preservative-free saline, rewetting drops, or a multipurpose contact lens solution. Avoid using tap water, as it can introduce harmful microorganisms like Acanthamoeba that cause severe infections.
After applying the drops, close your eye and gently massage the upper eyelid for a few seconds, or blink repeatedly, to help the lens rehydrate and move. The lens must be re-moisturized before attempting removal, which may take several minutes and require repeating the lubrication and blinking steps. You should only proceed once you feel the lens move freely on the surface of your eye.
If the soft lens is centered on the cornea and now moves, use the standard ‘pinch’ method, gently grasping the lens between your thumb and forefinger at the edge and folding it slightly to break the remaining adhesion. If the lens is displaced, look in the opposite direction of the lens while gently massaging the eyelid to encourage the lens to slide back toward the center. For a stuck RGP lens, do not massage the eyelid; instead, gently press on the sclera just outside the lens edge with your fingertip to break the suction seal.
Signs It Is Time to Contact a Professional
While most stuck contacts can be safely removed at home, certain symptoms indicate that you should stop all attempts and seek immediate attention from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Persistent, sharp, or stinging pain after the lens is removed, or if you cannot locate it, suggests a potential issue with the corneal surface.
You should also seek professional care if you experience significant, increasing redness that lasts longer than an hour, excessive light sensitivity, or blurred vision that does not clear after the lens is out. These symptoms can signal a corneal abrasion, which is a scratch on the eye’s surface, or an early infection, both of which require prompt medical treatment. If you have tried safe removal methods multiple times over a period of 10 to 15 minutes and the lens remains stuck, a professional can use specialized tools to remove it without causing damage.