Many Americans wear contacts as an alternative to eyeglasses or laser eye surgery. Contact lenses provide convenience, better peripheral vision, and the freedom to live without glasses. However, contact lens wearers sometimes face challenges, like wondering if their lens is still in their eye or struggling to remove a stuck lens.
First, the good news: a contact lens cannot slip behind your eye due to the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane that creates a barrier between the front and back of the eye. If you’re unsure whether your lens is still in your eye, gently inspect your eye in a mirror, blink slowly to reposition it, and use safe removal methods if it feels stuck.
Regular eye examinations and properly fitted lenses through contact lens exams can help minimize these concerns and keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.
How to Check If a Contact Lens Is in Your Eye
It’s not uncommon for contact lenses to feel misplaced, especially when your eye feels irritated or blurry. Here are steps to confirm if your contact lens is still in your eye:
- Inspect your eye: Use good lighting and a mirror. Gently pull your upper and lower eyelids apart to examine your eye’s surface and corners.
- Blink slowly: Sometimes, a lens can shift to the corner of your eye or stick to the white part of your eye. Blinking can help reposition the lens toward the center.
- Check your hands: If you were rubbing or adjusting your eye, the lens might have fallen out without your noticing.
If you’ve ruled out these possibilities but still feel discomfort, it may be time to consult an optometrist.
Removing a Stuck Contact Lens
If your contact lens feels stuck, don’t panic. The removal method depends on the type of contact lens you’re wearing, so understanding the material is key.
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft lenses are made of flexible materials that are generally easier to handle. Follow these steps to safely remove a stuck soft lens:
- Wash and dry your hands: Clean hands are essential to avoid introducing bacteria to your eye.
- Hydrate your eye: Apply sterile saline solution or rewetting drops to lubricate the lens. Dry eyes can make removal more challenging.
- Massage your eyelid: Gently massage your eyelid to help loosen the lens.
- Remove the lens: Pinch the edge of the lens lightly between your thumb and forefinger to lift it off your eye’s surface.
Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
Rigid gas-permeable lenses are firmer than soft lenses and require a different approach:
- Avoid sliding the lens: Sliding an RGP lens across your eye could scratch your cornea.
- Break the suction: Gently press your clean fingertip against the lens edge to break the suction.
- Use a lens applicator: A lens applicator, a small suction device, can help safely remove the lens without risk of injury.
If discomfort persists after removing the lens, consult your optometrist to check for issues like a corneal abrasion.
Why Contact Lenses Get Stuck
A stuck lens is often more frustrating than dangerous, but it’s helpful to understand why this happens:
- Dry eyes: Insufficient tear production can cause lenses to stick to your eye’s surface. This is common in people with chronic dry eye and may require dry eye therapy.
- Sleeping with contacts: Wearing lenses overnight can lead to dryness and swelling, making removal more difficult.
- Improper lens fit: Poorly fitted lenses are more likely to shift or become uncomfortable. Regular contact lens exams ensure your lenses fit correctly and comfortably.
Tips to Prevent Stuck Lenses
Preventing stuck lenses is easier than managing discomfort later. Here are practical tips to avoid the issue:
- Stick to your prescribed wear schedule, whether you use daily, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses.
- Avoid sleeping in contact lenses unless your optometrist has approved extended-wear lenses.
- Don’t rub your eyes while wearing contacts, as this can shift or damage them.
- Manage dry eye symptoms with appropriate therapies and treatments.
Following these practices can reduce the likelihood of experiencing a stuck lens and improve your overall comfort.
When to See an Optometrist
If you’re unable to locate or remove a contact lens, or if discomfort continues even after removing it, it’s time to visit your optometrist. Eye care professionals use specialized tools and technology to safely remove lenses and check for complications like corneal abrasions.
Optometrists can also recommend alternative lenses or treatments if stuck lenses are a recurring issue. For example, exploring different contact lens materials or addressing underlying conditions like dry eye can make a significant difference.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye examinations are essential for maintaining eye health, especially for contact lens wearers. During these exams, your optometrist will:
- Assess your visual acuity.
- Check for refractive errors.
- Evaluate your eye health to rule out conditions like corneal abrasions, dry eye, or infections.
Scheduling annual exams helps ensure your lenses remain suitable and that any emerging issues are addressed promptly.
Virginia Eyecare Clinic: Your Partner in Eye Health
If you’re struggling with your contact lenses or experiencing recurring issues, professional guidance can make all the difference. At Virginia Eyecare Clinic, we offer comprehensive contact lens exams, dry eye therapy, and eye disease management to address all your vision needs.
Don’t let discomfort or uncertainty hold you back. Book an appointment today and let our team help you achieve clear and comfortable vision!
