Losing a contact lens in your eye is one of the most frustrating experiences for lens wearers. Panic sets in as you frantically search for the missing lens, worried it may have fallen out and gotten lost. However, it’s important to know that a contact lens can never get trapped behind your eye—there is simply no physical space for it.
While losing a lens is unsettling, try not to worry excessively. This guide will walk you through determining if your lens is still in your eye, locate it, and safely remove it at home. We’ll also cover the signs that indicate when it’s time to seek professional help from an eye doctor. You can often retrieve that wayward lens with the right techniques and a calm approach.
Signs Your Lens is Stuck
If a contact lens becomes dislodged from its proper position on your eye, it can become trapped or stuck underneath your eyelid. That can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms that indicate the lens needs to be removed:
- Redness and Irritation: A stuck lens constantly rubbing against your eye can lead to redness, stinging, and a gritty, scratchy feeling. Your eye may water excessively to flush out the foreign object.
- Blurred Vision: When a lens is not properly centered on your cornea, your vision through that eye will appear blurred or distorted. You may also experience halos or glares around lights.
- Visible Lens Edge: Sometimes, you can see the edge or tinted rim of the stuck lens by looking closely in a mirror. This crescent-shaped outline is a clear sign the lens has dislodged.
- Uneven Vision Between Eyes: With one lens stuck and moving around, your eyes will experience very different levels of vision quality. This imbalance can cause eye strain and make judging distances difficult.
If you experience any combination of these symptoms after removing your lenses, one is still trapped on or under your eyelid. Don’t panic – with patience and care, you can likely locate and remove the stuck lens at home.
Locating the Stuck Lens
Locating a stuck contact lens requires diligent eye examination in good lighting conditions. Start by positioning yourself in front of a mirror with ample light, either natural or from a bright lamp. Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull down your lower eyelid to expose the lower portion of your eye. That is where the lens is most likely to be lodged.
Carefully scan the entire surface of your eye, paying close attention to the areas along the upper and lower eyelids. The lens may appear as a thin, curved line or have a tinted edge that stands out against the white of your eye. If you’re having trouble spotting it, try using a small flashlight to illuminate your eye from different angles.
It’s essential to be thorough in your search, as the lens can sometimes blend in with the color of your iris or get pushed into the corner of your eye. Take time and examine every nook and cranny, blinking occasionally to see if the lens shifts position.
If you still can’t locate the lens after a thorough inspection, don’t panic. The lens may have folded or become dislodged deeper into the eye. In such cases, it’s best to seek professional assistance from an eye care specialist.
Step-by-Step Lens Removal
If you’ve determined your contact lens is stuck in your eye but still visible, there are some gentle techniques you can try at home to dislodge and remove it safely:
#1. Massage the Eyelid
With your eye closed, use your clean finger to massage the upper eyelid downward gently. That can help dislodge the lens and move it towards the lower part of your eye, making it easier to remove.
#2. Use Lubricating Eye Drops
Apply a few drops of preservative-free lubricating eye drops to your eye. The moisture can help loosen the stuck lens and allow it to move more freely.
#3. Slide the Lens Down
Once the lens has moved down from your upper lid, gently open your eye while looking up. You can slide or blink the lens onto your lower lid or eyelashes, which you can carefully remove.
#4. Blink it Out
With your eye open and looking up, gently blink a few times to encourage the lens to slide or fall out of your eye. Don’t squeeze or rub your eye, which could scratch your cornea.
Avoid Digging or Poking
Do not try to dig out or poke the lens directly with your fingers, tweezers, or any other object. Doing so risks scratching or puncturing your delicate eye tissue. Instead, let gravity and gentle manipulation do the work.
If the lens still won’t come out after trying these steps for an hour or two, it’s best to avoid further attempts and seek professional care.
When to See an Eye Doctor
While many stuck contact lenses can be safely removed at home, there are certain situations where it’s crucial to seek professional medical attention. If you’ve tried the recommended removal techniques for a few hours without success, it’s time to make an appointment with your eye doctor or visit an urgent care clinic. Attempting to remove a lens that won’t budge forcibly can lead to corneal abrasions or other eye injuries.
Furthermore, don’t delay seeking medical care if you experience severe eye pain, light sensitivity, redness, discharge, or any sudden vision changes during the lens removal process. These could be signs of a corneal abrasion, eye infection, or other serious condition requiring prompt treatment. Trying to tough it out could put your eye health at serious risk.
Sometimes, the lens may become lodged underneath the upper eyelid, making it virtually impossible to remove safely. Your eye doctor has specialized tools and techniques to gently retrieve lenses stuck in this precarious position without causing damage to your delicate eye tissues. Resist the urge to pry or dig around your eye, which could easily scratch your cornea.
While a stuck contact lens is undoubtedly annoying and uncomfortable, staying calm and knowing when to seek professional help is key to preventing further eye issues. Don’t hesitate to make that appointment if the lens won’t come out or you experience any worrying symptoms.
Stuck Lens Prevention Tips
Preventing a contact lens from getting stuck in your eye is always preferable to removing one. Here are some tips to avoid finding yourself in that uncomfortable situation:
- Have Backup Glasses: Keep an up-to-date pair of prescription glasses on hand. That allows you to remove your contacts if they become dislodged or uncomfortable without sacrificing your vision. Wearing your backup glasses gives your eyes a much-needed break.
- Handle Lenses Carefully: Proper lens insertion and removal is crucial. Always wash your hands before touching your lenses, and avoid rough handling that could tear or fold the lens. When removing lenses, blink fully and gently pull the lens away from your eye rather than prying.
- Replace Lenses Regularly: Follow your eye doctor’s recommended replacement schedule. Wearing lenses past their replacement date increases the risk of eye infections and discomfort. Proteins and lipids from your tears can build up on old lenses, making them more likely to stick.
- Give Your Eyes a Break: Even if you’re prescribed for extended or continuous wear, periodically give your eyes a holiday from lenses. The cornea needs oxygen from the air to stay healthy. Going lens-free, even just one day per week, can reduce complications.
The Importance of Lens Hygiene
Proper lens hygiene is crucial for maintaining eye health and preventing complications like stuck lenses. Failing to adequately clean and disinfect your contacts can lead to bacterial or fungal infections, protein buildup, and general discomfort.
Always follow the recommended cleaning routine from your eye doctor or the lens manufacturer. That typically involves using a multi-purpose solution to rinse, clean, and store your lenses. Rubbing the lenses with solution helps remove buildup. Never use water or saliva, as this can introduce microbes.
Disinfecting your lenses by soaking them in fresh solution for the prescribed time is also essential. Using the same disinfecting solution repeatedly reduces its effectiveness.
Perhaps most importantly, you must replace your lenses on schedule. Even if you clean them diligently, contacts degrade over time. Wearing them too long increases the risk of complications exponentially. Most daily disposable lenses should be discarded after one use, while extended-wear lenses may last weeks or months before requiring replacement.
Overwearing your lenses is one of the biggest risk factors for eye infections and other issues. Your eyes need regular breaks from lens wear to breathe and recover. Follow your prescribed replacement schedule and wear the schedule strictly. You are using lenses longer than recommended, leaving you vulnerable to problems like stuck lenses, scratches, and serious infections that could lead to vision loss.
Types of Lenses and Risks
Soft contact lenses are more prone to sticking in the eye than rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. Their flexible, water-absorbing material can more easily be tucked under the eyelid or folded. Soft lenses are more likely to adhere to the eye if they dry out.
RGP lenses, made of a firmer plastic that allows oxygen to pass through, are less likely to stick because of their rigid shape and smooth surface. However, if an RGP lens does become dislodged, its sharp edges can scratch the cornea, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of infection.
Both lens types carry some risk of sticking, especially if they are worn for too long, cleaned improperly, or exposed to debris or makeup. Proper lens hygiene, following wearing schedules, and avoiding overwear can minimize these risks for all contact lens wearers.
Emergency Vision Care Access
When a contact lens is stuck in your eye, it’s important to know your options for seeking prompt medical attention if home removal techniques are unsuccessful. Most urban areas can access emergency eye care through ophthalmology clinics, hospital emergency rooms, or dedicated eye emergency centers.
You can expect to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist or optometrist at the eye doctor’s office. They will examine your eye closely using bright lights and magnification to locate the stuck lens. Depending on the situation, they may numb your eye with anesthetic drops before attempting lens removal with specialized instruments.
The doctor’s main priorities are safely extracting the lens without scratching your cornea and checking for corneal abrasions or infections that may require treatment. They will also ensure no lens fragments remain trapped under the eyelid.
If the lens is tightly stuck or you have developed a corneal abrasion, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection while your eye heals over the next few days.
The cost for emergency removal of a stuck lens can vary widely depending on your location and health insurance situation. For those with vision insurance, copays of around $25-$50 are typical. Without insurance, fees can range from $100 to $300 for the office visit and procedure.
Many eye clinics and hospitals also offer financial assistance programs for those unable to afford emergency treatment costs. If costs are overly burdensome, it is recommended that you explain your situation and inquire about payment plans.
Alternate Lens Wear Options
If you frequently experience issues with stuck or lost contact lenses, consider alternate lens wear options that could reduce these frustrations. Two main alternatives are daily disposable lenses and LASIK surgery.
Daily Disposable Lenses
Daily disposable lenses are designed for single use, removing the need for overnight wear. You discard the lenses after each use and start fresh with new ones the next day. That eliminates the risks of lenses getting stuck since you’re never wearing the same pair for too long. Daily disposables require less maintenance, reducing factors like protein buildup that can increase the chances of a lens sticking to your eye. While the cost is higher than traditional lenses, many find the convenience and safety worth the investment.
LASIK Surgery
LASIK laser eye surgery is an increasingly popular option for those interested in reducing or eliminating their need for contacts. During this outpatient procedure, the cornea is carefully reshaped to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Most LASIK patients achieve 20/20 or better vision without the hassle of contacts or glasses. However, it’s an expensive surgery that carries some risks. But many feel the freedom from contact lens wear is life-changing. Consulting an experienced LASIK surgeon can help determine if you’re a good candidate.
While stuck contact lenses are typically just a nuisance, these alternate lens wear choices provide worthwhile solutions to consider if the issue persists or causes too much frustration. Prioritizing eye health and comfort should guide your vision correction approach.
FAQs
Conclusion: Lens Safety First
Losing a contact lens in your eye can be an unsettling experience, but with the proper knowledge and techniques, you can often locate and remove the lens safely at home. The key steps are to remain calm, examine your eye closely, try various lens removal methods, and give your eye a break if the lens doesn’t come out after a few hours of effort.
While contact lenses offer great vision and convenience, your eye health should always be the top priority. Don’t hesitate to see an eye doctor if you experience persistent pain, redness, blurred vision, or cannot retrieve the lens after multiple attempts. A stuck lens left unattended can scratch your cornea or lead to infection.
By following good lens hygiene habits, replacing your lenses on schedule, and giving your eyes breaks from lens wear, you can help prevent many stuck lens incidents from occurring in the first place. Remember, while frustrating, a stuck lens is usually just a temporary nuisance, but taking proper precautions can save you from serious eye issues. Your vision is precious, so treat your eyes with the care they deserve.
Beth is Cloudmineinc’s senior health editor and a certified personal trainer. She has over 10 years experience as a science journalist and is the author of two books. She deadlifts over 315 lbs.