How to Safely Remove a Contact Lens that is Stuck in Your Eye

Removing contact lenses from the eyes can be a challenge for new contact lens users. But what if one of your lenses is stuck to the cornea? Read our detailed instructions on how to deal with contact lenses that are difficult to remove from the eyes. 

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Dislodge Stuck Contact Lenses

Prepare Your Hands

Before touching your eyes, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and then dry them. This will prevent the transfer of germs and dirt from your skin to your sensitive eyes. If you touch your eyes with unclean hands, you can increase the risk of infection. 

Wet Your Eyes 

Use rewetting drops to lubricate your eye and to allow the lens to dislodge more easily from its position. This is a crucial step that will help whether your lens is stuck in the center of the eye or off to the side.   

Blink Repeatedly 

Once you have lubricated your eye, try blinking several times to move the contact lens. The blinking motion and added lubrication will help to dislodge the lens from the eye. 

Massage Gently Over Your Eyelid 

Try massaging over your closed eyelid with a gentle touch. This helps to loosen up the lens and will make it easier for you to slowly pinch it off your eye as you would under normal circumstances. Read our blog post on soft contact lenses to learn how to insert and remove soft contacts the proper way. 

Instructions for Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lens

For rigid gas-permeable lenses, we recommend following the same instructions given above except for the massage. Rigid lenses can cause damage to the cornea if you rub your eyes. We recommend gently pressing on the edge of the lens to release the suction that is making it stick to your cornea. 

What to Do After Removing a Stuck Contact Lens from Your Eye

Rest Your Eyes 

Once you have managed to remove the lens from your eye, make sure to rest your eyes. Avoid activities that can strain your eyes such as looking at a digital screen. 

See Your Doctor

We recommend going to your doctor if you cannot manage to remove your lenses on your own. Even if you do manage to dislodge your lenses, it is a good idea to visit your eye care provider to check for any possible damage to your cornea or for stray pieces of softgel lens that might have remained in your eye. 

Wear Glasses Instead of Contact Lenses 

If your eyes have been irritated by this whole ordeal, give them some time to heal before re-wearing contact lenses. In the meantime, wear regular eyeglasses for your vision needs. 

How to Prevent Your Lenses from Sticking to Your Eyes

Prevention is always better than cure. By following the basics of correct lens usage, you can prevent your contact lens from sticking to your eye in the future. If your lenses are not meant for extended wear, make sure to remove them before bed every night, clean and soak them in lens solution. Always make sure to follow the correct replacement schedule. If you are interested in a detailed list of do’s and don'ts of contact lens usage, check out our blog post on the topic.

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