A stuck contact lens can feel alarming, causing immediate worry and discomfort. This is a very common occurrence for contact lens wearers, and in nearly all cases, the lens is easily and safely removable with gentle, deliberate action. The eye’s physical structure makes it impossible for a contact lens to become lost behind the eyeball. This guide provides safe, actionable steps to successfully remove an adherent contact lens without causing harm.
Common Reasons Why the Lens Adheres
A contact lens, particularly a soft lens, adheres to the eye primarily due to a lack of sufficient fluid between the lens and the cornea. The most frequent cause is extreme dehydration of the lens material, often resulting from extended wear or sleeping in lenses not approved for overnight use. When the lens loses moisture, it shrinks and becomes less flexible, causing it to suction tightly onto the corneal surface.
The natural tear film, which normally allows the lens to float freely, may have evaporated or thinned out. This lack of lubrication strengthens the physical adhesion, making the lens feel glued in place. Sometimes, minor debris or a protein deposit can also cause a localized spot of adhesion, preventing the lens from moving when touched.
Step-by-Step Guide for Safe Removal
The first step in any removal process is thorough hand hygiene, using a mild soap and drying your hands with a lint-free towel. Before attempting to touch the lens, you must rehydrate the eye and the lens to break the suction seal. Apply several drops of a sterile saline solution or contact lens-approved rewetting drops directly onto the lens.
After applying the drops, close your eye and wait for several minutes to allow the lens to absorb moisture and regain flexibility. While the eye is closed, gently massage your upper eyelid in a circular motion. This encourages the liquid to flow underneath the lens, lifting it slightly off the cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye.
Once the lens feels like it is moving freely, you can proceed with a removal technique. The slide-and-fold method is preferred for a centered, stuck soft lens. With a clean, dry fingertip, gently slide the lens down and away from the cornea onto the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. The sclera is less sensitive, and this movement helps break the remaining seal.
Once the lens is situated on the sclera, use the pinch method to remove it. Use the pads of your index finger and thumb to gently pinch the lens’s edge and lift it off the eye. It is important to only use the pads of your fingers, avoiding fingernails, to prevent abrasion to the delicate ocular surface. If the lens resists, repeat the rehydration and gentle massage process before attempting removal again.
Locating a Displaced or Folded Lens
A dislodged lens often causes a foreign body sensation without the lens being centered on the cornea. The eye’s anatomy, specifically the conjunctiva, creates a physical barrier that prevents the lens from migrating to the back of the eye socket. Therefore, a lens that feels “lost” is simply tucked away under an eyelid.
If you suspect the lens has moved, use a mirror to systematically check all areas. If the lens is under the upper eyelid, look down as far as possible and toward your nose to bring the lens into view. Gently pressing and massaging the eyelid downward can sometimes coax the lens to slide back toward the center of the eye.
A lens that has folded in half, a common occurrence with soft lenses, can be difficult to spot. If you cannot see the lens, apply more rewetting drops and blink repeatedly to help unfurl the lens or move it to a more visible location. Once you locate the edge, use the gentle sliding technique to move it to the sclera for safe removal.
Warning Signs and Seeking Professional Care
Knowing when to stop self-removal attempts and seek professional help is an important safety measure. If you have made several careful attempts to rehydrate and remove the lens over a period of 10 to 15 minutes without success, discontinue the process. Excessive manipulation of an adherent lens can cause a corneal abrasion.
Symptoms following a stuck lens incident require immediate consultation with an eye care professional. If you experience any of the following signs after the lens is removed, seek prompt medical evaluation:
- Severe or persistent eye pain that does not subside.
- Noticeable vision changes, such as persistent blurriness.
- Excessive redness and light sensitivity.
These symptoms may indicate a corneal issue or the onset of an infection.