If you have ever had a contact lens get stuck in your eye, then you know it is quite alarming. If you are jittery then take a mental break for 5-10 minutes before attempting to remove the lens. Remember that a contact lens cannot get lost in your eye. There is a cul de sac between the lid and the eye so it may become lodged under the lid but can be rinsed or massaged back (if soft) onto the cornea or front of the eye. If abrasions are caused during the removal, then the eye will hurt and become red but usually heals overnight. See photos below. The first shows central abrasions immediately after a “stuck” contact lens was removed and the second shows a “happy” normal eye 24 hours later.
- Figure 1: Subtle white spots (abrasions) in front of pupil. Eye is watery and red. Lids are swollen.
- Figure 2: Eye is normal. Abrasions are gone.
Instructions for a soft contact lens retrieval
Step 1: Remain calm
Step 2: Wash your hands
Step 3: Add a lubricating drop to the eye
Step 4: Look up and use a finger to pull the contact lens down to the white part of eye
Step 5: Then pinch the dislodged lens with your pointer finger and thumb
Instructions for a rigid gas permeable contact lens retrieval
Step 1: Remain calm
Step 2: Wash your hands
Step 3: Add a lubricating drop to the eye
Step 4: Look opposite of where the contact lens is. Example: look down if gas perm is under top lid
Step 5: Close your eyes and press your fingernail on the outer edge of the gas perm lens
Step 6: Through closed lids, look at the finger that is pressing the edge of the gas perm lens
Step 7: May have to repeat several time; of course a moistened “plunger” works easier, if you have one. Do not try to massage a gas permeable lens into place
In the event, you are not able to remove the contact lens from your eye then stop trying. There are too many instances when a patient has tried to repeatedly remove a contact lens from the eye when the contact lens had already fallen out. This leads to a painful, red eye usually with abrasions that must heal. Not pleasant. Contact your eye doctor for assistance.
