Getting a contact lens stuck on your eye can be an alarming and uncomfortable experience, but it is a very common issue for lens wearers. The immediate feeling of the lens refusing to move can trigger panic, which often makes the situation worse. The goal in this moment is to safely dislodge the lens without causing harm to the delicate surface of the eye. Most often, the problem is not a serious medical issue but a temporary physical adherence that can be resolved with patience and the right technique. This guide will provide immediate, actionable steps for removal, explain the underlying causes of a stuck lens, and offer advice for long-term prevention.
Immediate Techniques for Safe Removal
The first and most important step before touching your eye or lens is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them with a lint-free towel. Unclean hands can introduce bacteria or debris, which significantly increases the risk of eye infection. With clean hands, the process of removal begins by rehydrating the lens, as dryness is the most frequent cause of adherence.
If the soft lens is stuck directly on the center of your cornea, apply a steady stream of sterile saline solution or re-wetting drops approved for use with contact lenses. You should never use tap water, as it contains microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections, nor should you use contact lens solution, which is for cleaning and disinfection. Blink repeatedly after applying the drops to help distribute the moisture and give the lens a chance to regain its natural flexibility.
If the lens is still not moving after several minutes of re-wetting, close your eye and gently massage your upper eyelid with your fingertip. This careful manipulation can help encourage the lens to move back to the center of your eye or dislodge it from the cornea. For a lens that has migrated and folded under the upper eyelid, look in the direction opposite to where you feel the lens is located, such as looking down if you suspect it is under the top lid. This movement can stretch the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of the eye, helping the lens slide back into view so you can gently pinch it out. For rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses, avoid eyelid massage, as their hard structure could scratch the cornea; instead, gently press on the edge of the lens with a clean fingertip to break the suction seal.
Understanding Why Lenses Become Stuck
The primary reason a soft contact lens refuses to come out is dehydration, which causes the lens material to shrink and adhere tightly to the cornea. When a soft lens loses moisture, it becomes less pliable and forms a suction-like bond to the eye’s surface. This drying often occurs if the wearer falls asleep in lenses not approved for overnight wear or if they spend an extended time staring at screens, which reduces the natural blink rate and tear film lubrication.
Another common factor is a poor fit, particularly if the lens is too tight for the wearer’s eye curvature. A lens that fits too closely to the eye creates a stronger suction, making it difficult to lift the edge and break the seal during removal. This increased adherence can also restrict the natural flow of tears beneath the lens, further contributing to localized dryness. The accumulation of protein, calcium, or lipid deposits from the tear film also makes the lens surface stickier over time, acting like an adhesive.
Soft lenses, which are larger and more flexible, can sometimes fold and migrate off-center, particularly under the upper eyelid. Although it is physically impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind the eye due to the anatomical barrier created by the conjunctiva, a folded lens can feel lost and cause irritation. This displacement often happens when the eye is rubbed aggressively, or if the lens is worn for too long and begins to shift as the eye dries out. Locating the folded lens can be challenging, but it is always contained within the area accessible by the eyelids.
Long-Term Care and When to Seek Help
Preventing a lens from becoming stuck involves consistent, proactive care focused on lens and eye hydration. Always adhere strictly to the wearing schedule prescribed by your eye care professional, avoiding the temptation to wear lenses longer than recommended or to sleep in them. Using re-wetting drops throughout the day, especially during prolonged screen time, can maintain the necessary moisture level to keep the lens flexible and mobile on the eye.
Proper hygiene also plays a role in prevention, as regularly cleaning the lenses prevents the buildup of deposits that contribute to stickiness. You should always use the recommended cleaning and disinfecting solutions, as they are formulated to remove tear film residue effectively. If your lenses frequently feel tight or are often difficult to remove, consult your eye doctor, who can check the fit and potentially adjust the lens base curve or diameter.
While most stuck lenses can be safely removed at home, knowing when to seek professional help is important for eye health. You should contact an eye doctor immediately if you are unable to remove the lens after multiple, patient attempts over a period of a few hours. Seeking care is also necessary if you experience persistent symptoms after the lens is removed, such as extreme or worsening eye pain, excessive redness, light sensitivity, or the sensation that something is still scratching the eye, as these may indicate a corneal abrasion.
Understanding Why Lenses Become Stuck
The accumulation of protein, calcium, or lipid deposits from the tear film also makes the lens surface stickier over time, acting like an adhesive. Soft lenses, which are larger and more flexible, can sometimes fold and migrate off-center, particularly under the upper eyelid. Although it is physically impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind the eye due to the anatomical barrier created by the conjunctiva, a folded lens can feel lost and cause irritation. This displacement often happens when the eye is rubbed aggressively, or if the lens is worn for too long and begins to shift as the eye dries out. Locating the folded lens can be challenging, but it is always contained within the area accessible by the eyelids.
Long-Term Care and When to Seek Help
Preventing a lens from becoming stuck involves consistent, proactive care focused on lens and eye hydration. Always adhere strictly to the wearing schedule prescribed by your eye care professional, avoiding the temptation to wear lenses longer than recommended or to sleep in them. Using re-wetting drops throughout the day, especially during prolonged screen time, can maintain the necessary moisture level to keep the lens flexible and mobile on the eye.
Proper hygiene also plays a role in prevention, as regularly cleaning the lenses prevents the buildup of deposits that contribute to stickiness. You should always use the recommended cleaning and disinfecting solutions, as they are formulated to remove tear film residue effectively. If your lenses frequently feel tight or are often difficult to remove, consult your eye doctor, who can check the fit and potentially adjust the lens base curve or diameter.
While most stuck lenses can be safely removed at home, knowing when to seek professional help is important for eye health. You should contact an eye doctor immediately if you are unable to remove the lens after multiple, patient attempts over a period of a few hours. Seeking care is also necessary if you experience persistent symptoms after the lens is removed, such as extreme or worsening eye pain, excessive redness, light sensitivity, or the sensation that something is still scratching the eye, as these may indicate a corneal abrasion.