It’s an awful feeling when you realize your contact lens has shifted out of place, but can’t pinpoint where it’s gone. A lost contact in your eye can be understandably nerve-wracking (especially if you can’t feel it), but doctors agree there’s no need to panic. So take a deep breath, stay calm and follow these steps to locate and remove the lens safely.
Can a contact get ‘lost’ in your eye?
Contact lenses can get stuck in parts of the eye where they don’t belong, but they can’t get permanently lost in there, assures Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified Ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty.
This is because the conjunctiva, a membrane that covers the inside of your eyelids as well as the front of your eye, prevents a lens from traveling any further than the front section of your eye, she explains. In other words, it can’t actually get lost behind your eye. However, Dr. Hilal-Campo notes that it can get stuck in a hard-to-reach place.
“When a contact lens is ‘lost,’ it’s usually stuck to the inside of your upper eyelid or has folded in on itself and moved to the upper inner or outer corners of the eye,” she says. “It’s not hard for a contact lens to get ‘lost’—it usually happens when people sleep in their lenses (ill-advised) or rub their eyes while wearing lenses.”
How to find a lost contact in your eye
Dr. Hilal-Campo says you can usually feel the lens in your eye when it’s in the wrong place. But if you can’t, the easiest way to tell where your contact lens is living is by slowly blinking your eye, offers Ashley Hayden, MD, Ophthalmologist and co-founder of GentleDrop.
“You may be able to feel specific itching or irritation where the contact is hiding,” she adds. “You can also close your eyes and move your eyes around and feel rubbing or scratching. Another way you can find the lens is by gently pulling down your lower lid in a mirror and looking up or pulling up your upper lid and looking down.”
Still can’t find it?
It’s very possible to feel as though the lens is stuck in your eye when it’s not, says Jovi Boparai, MD, Ophthalmic Surgeon, co-founder and CEO of CorneaCare. This happens because any time you put a contact lens in or remove it, it may cause subtle damage to the surface of the eye, which results in foreign body sensation, he explains.
If you think a contact lens is stuck in your eye but can’t find it, thoroughly check your surroundings to see if the lens has already fallen out!
How to remove a lost contact lens from your eye
Once you know where the lens is, you can close the affected eye and carefully rub the lid. As you gently massage your eyelid, move upward and down to the lower area to bring the contact down and into view, says Dr. Hilal-Capo.
You should only do this if you use a soft contact lens, she cautions. If you use a hard contact lens (most people do not), you shouldn’t rub your eye, as this could cause abrasions.
If that doesn’t work, you can try to turn your eyelid inside out or lift it up to see areas the lid usually covers, she advises.
You can also try using artificial tears or saline solution and blinking repeatedly, which may move the contact lens into position where you can spot and safely remove it, experts agree.
Watch this video to see how to safely remove a stuck contact lens:
Dos and don’ts for removing a lost contact lens from your eye
To remove a lost contact quickly, painlessly and—most importantly—safely, follow these tips:
Do: Wash your hands. It may seem obvious, but one of the most important steps in contact lens retrieval is to wash your hands well. It’s imperative to do this before putting your hands or fingers in or around your eyes, experts say.
Don’t: Force the lens. It’s incredibly important not to force the lens, as this could cause abrasion to the ocular surface, making your eye more susceptible to infections, says Dr. Hilal-Campo.
Do: Have a gentle touch. When removing a stuck contact, gently rub your eye using the soft pads of your fingertips. Vigorously rubbing your eye may injure the eye or damage the lens, adds Dr. Boparai.
Don’t: Use a Q-tip. Using any sharp objects or Q-tips to remove the lens is not advisable, as this can cause scratches on the eye, Dr. Boparai adds.
When to see a doctor for a lost contact lens in your eye
If you’ve tried everything to no avail, and the contact lens is truly stuck and not moving, your doctor will be able to help you. You should also pay them a visit if you’re experiencing any symptoms of irritation or infection after removing the lens, such as redness, swelling or discharge.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
