How to Remove a Contact Lens That Is Stuck

Contact lenses that become stuck on your eye or under an eyelid can lead to serious problems if not removed in a timely manner. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, "leaving contact lenses in for extended periods of time can lead to infections, abrasions and other serious complications." Consider visiting your local ER if the stuck contact is causing your eye to close, swell or if you're losing your vision.

Things You'll Need

• Hand soap
• Towel
• Saline eye solution
• Ophthalmologist or eye care specialist

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with soap and water very thoroughly. Washing your hands will prevent you from contaminating or infecting your eye when you're trying to remove the stuck contact. Dry your hands with a clean towel.

• 2

  Determine the location of the stuck contact lens on your eye. If it's located on the cornea, your vision will remain clear, but if it's stuck in another area on your eye, such as under an eyelid, your vision will remain cloudy. While looking into a mirror, spread your eyelids apart with your fingers and try to locate the outline of the contact.

• 3

  Squirt a few drops of saline eye solution on your eye to help moisten the stuck contact. Gently use your fingers to remove the lens from your eye as soon as it moistens appropriately.

• 4

  Flush the stuck contact lens out from under your eyelid. The Cleveland Clinic recommends flushing the object from your eye by gently pulling the upper eyelid down over the top of the lower eyelid with your finger and thumb. Pulling the upper eyelid down over the top of the lower eyelid will cause tearing and should flush the stuck contact out of the eye. Repeat the method multiple times for best results.

• 5

  Visit your ophthalmologist or eye care specialist to have the stuck contact lens examined and removed from your eye by a professional. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, contact lenses that get stuck under the upper eyelid can be hard to see and remove without special stains and equipment.