Most contact lens wearers (LACs) experience some difficulty removing them sooner or later. This problem is quite common, especially among people who have recently switched to this type of optical correction. Contact lenses get "stuck" because they have dried out after many hours of use or because they are off-center from the cornea. In this article, you will find good tips for removing blocked ACLs, be they soft or stiff, from your eyes.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Remove the Soft Contact Lenses
Step 1. Wash your hands
Your hands should always be perfectly clean whenever you put on or take off contact lenses. This part of the body comes into contact with thousands of bacteria, including fecal ones, because it touches many objects during the day. So wash your hands with soap and warm water before touching your eyes to avoid infections.
- When ACLs are blocked it is especially important to wash your hands, as the fingers will come into contact with the eye for some time. There is a greater chance of spreading bacteria and germs when the contact time between hands and eyes is prolonged.
- Do not dry the palm or fingertips you will use to touch your eyes, otherwise you may get fibers or lint from the towel.
Step 2. Stay calm
Panic will only make you more anxious, which will make it even more difficult to remove contact lenses. If you feel agitated, take a few deep breaths before continuing.
- Do not fear! LACs cannot go behind the eyeball. The conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that sits at the front of the eye, and the rectus muscles that surround it prevent this from happening.
- Having a soft contact lens "stuck" in the eye is not a serious health problem, unless it has been there for a long time. While it can cause a lot of irritation, it is unlikely to do any harm. However, a rigid (gas permeable) lens could cause corneal abrasions and infections if it breaks in the eye.
- If you have made several unsuccessful removal attempts, then take a little break. Sit back and relax for a while.
Step 3. Identify the position of the lens
In most cases, an ACL becomes blocked because it is decentralized relative to the cornea. If this is also your case, you need to find the lens before removing it. Close your eyes and relax your eyelids. You should be able to feel the presence of the lens somewhere in the eye. If you don't feel it, then gently touch the eyelid with your fingers to locate it by touch.
- If it has moved to the corner of your eye, then you might see it just by looking in the mirror.
- Try looking in the opposite direction from the position of the LAC. For example, if you feel it is in the right corner, look to the left. Or if you think it's stuck in the lower part of your eye, look up. This way you should be able to see the lens.
- If you don't see or hear it, chances are it has fallen out of your eye.
- Place a finger on the upper eyelid, near the lash line, and lift it to open the eye wide. This maneuver helps you to see the contact lens better. Remember that if you look down while lifting your eyelid, you paralyze the orbicular muscle and you won't be able to contract it again until your gaze returns upward.
Step 4. Moisten the lenses
Sometimes they get stuck in the eye because they have dried out. Use saline solution to hydrate them by instilling it directly on the ACLs, if possible. Wait a few minutes for the lenses to rehydrate and soften.
- If they are stuck under the eyelid or in the corner of the eye, the excess liquid helps them float and return to their correct position, so they can be easily removed.
- Often it is sufficient to moisturize the ACLs to be able to remove them normally. Blink several times or close your eyes for a few seconds and then try once more to remove them.
Step 5. Massage the eyelid
If the lens is stuck or trapped under the eyelid, close your eyes and gently massage the top of the eyelid with your fingertips.
- If the lens remains off-center, try to gently push it over the cornea.
- If it is stuck under the upper eyelid, be aware that it may be helpful to look downwards as you proceed with the massage.
Step 6. Change your approach
If the lens is in place, but you can't get it out, try different techniques. Most people pinch it with their thumb and forefinger, but you can also apply gentle pressure on the LAC as you blink.
- You can use the index or middle fingers of each hand. Place your finger on the upper eyelid and press down in a straight line; alternatively, place it on the lower one, but press upwards.
- At this point the lens should detach from the eye and you should have no difficulty removing it.
Step 7. Lift the eyelid
If the lens is still glued and you think it may be stuck under the upper lid, then lift the upper lid and move it away from the eye, exposing the inside to the outside.
- To perform this maneuver correctly, take a cotton swab and use it to apply pressure to the center of the eyelid, while pulling the lash line away from the ocular surface.
- Tilt your head back. In this position you should see the ACL blocked under the eyelid; carefully pull it out.
- You may need help from a family member or friend to do this.
Step 8. See your eye doctor
If you absolutely cannot remove the ACL and the eye is very red or irritated, see an ophthalmologist, an optometrist or go to the emergency room where the contact lens will be removed without further damaging the eye.
If you believe you have scratched or otherwise damaged your eye during various attempts to extract the lens, contact your eye doctor immediately. You should be examined regardless of whether or not you managed to remove the contact lens
Method 2 of 3: Remove Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses
Step 1. Wash your hands
Use soap and water and wash them carefully; do not dry the fingers you will use to touch your eyes, to prevent fabric fibers from entering them. Every time you apply or take out LACs you need to wash your hands.
Washing your hands is always very important, but it is even more important when you have to remove a blocked ACL, as there will be prolonged contact between the eye and the fingers
Step 2. Stay calm
A "glued" contact lens is not an emergency and anxiety will only make it more difficult to find and remove.
- Contact lenses cannot stick behind the eyeball. The conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that sits at the front of the eye, and the rectus muscles that surround it prevent this from happening.
- A contact lens stuck in the eye is not a health hazard, unless it has been there for a long time. Although it can cause irritation, it is unlikely to cause harm. If the ACL has ruptured, it could cause pain.
Step 3. Find the lens
In most cases, gas permeable LACs become blocked because they are off-center from the cornea. If your situation is the same, then you will need to understand where the lens is before proceeding with the extraction.
- Close your eyes and relax your eyelids. You should be able to sense its presence in the eye; if not, try touching the surface of the eyelid with your fingertips.
- If the lens has moved to a corner of the eye, then you may be able to see it by simply looking in the mirror.
- Try looking in the opposite direction from the position of the LAC. For example, if you feel it in the right corner of your eye, look to the left. Or look up if you feel it below. At this point you should be able to see it.
- If you can't hear or see where it is, it may have fallen out of your eye.
Step 4. Break the suction force
If the lens has moved over the sclera (the white part of the eye), most of the time it is possible to detach it by breaking the suction force between the eye and the ACL itself. To proceed, use your fingertips by applying light pressure to the eye near the edge of the lens.
Do not massage the eye as you would with soft contact lenses, as the edges of the hard lens could scratch the ocular surface.
Step 5. Use a suction cup
If the lens does not come off despite all your best efforts, you can purchase a small suction cup at the optical store. It is a tool specially designed for these situations. In theory, the optician should have given you one when you bought the lenses and taught you how to use it.
- First, wash the suction cup with LAC cleaner. Finally, moisten it with the saline solution.
- With your thumb and forefinger, open your eye by spreading the lids apart.
- Apply the suction cup to the center of the LAC and pull it out; be very careful to avoid contact between the eye and the suction cup.
- You can remove the lens by gently sliding it towards the sides of the eye, guiding it with the suction cup.
- Before practicing this method, consider seeing your eye doctor. Using the suction cup to remove stiff ACLs could cause trauma to the eye.
Step 6. See your eye doctor if needed
If you can't get the lens out, go to your eye doctor, optometrist, or emergency room and let a professional help you. You should also see your doctor if your eye becomes very irritated and red.
If you are concerned that you have scratched or damaged your eye in any way trying to remove the ACL, see your eye doctor immediately. You should still see your doctor, regardless of whether you removed the lens or not
Method 3 of 3: Adhere to Good Hygiene Habits
Step 1. Don't touch your eyes if you haven't washed your hands first
The hands carry thousands of germs that "collect" by touching objects daily. Always wash them with warm soapy water before touching your eyes.
Touching your eyes with dirty fingers and hands could cause an infection
Step 2. Keep your eyes well lubricated
Use wetting drops or artificial tears to keep your eyes well hydrated throughout the day. This also prevents LACs from getting stuck in the eye.
If you experience eye redness or itching after instilling the humectant product, look for one without preservatives
Step 3. Thoroughly clean the LACs
Wash the container every day. Once you put on your lenses, wash the case with a sterile solution or boiling water (preferably distilled). Do not leave the container full of tap water, this could promote the development of fungi and bacteria. Let the case to air dry.
Replace the container every 3 months (or even more often). Even if you do a daily cleaning, bacteria and other pathogens can accumulate
Step 4. Replace the preservative solution inside the case every day
After cleaning the container and air-drying it, pour some clean preservative solution into the container. This liquid loses its cleaning effect over time, so you need to replace it every day to make sure it disinfects your lenses.
Step 5. Follow the instructions your optician gave you to clean and sanitize your contact lenses
Each type of LAC requires different cleaning products. Use the right liquid for the specific material of your lenses. Always strictly follow the optician's instructions for washing and sterilizing lenses.
Use only commercial cleaning fluids, preservatives, and humectants to reduce the risk of infection; avoid the "do it yourself"
Step 6. Wear contact lenses only as advised by your eye doctor or optician
He should have informed you about when and how to wear contact lenses; follow these recommendations carefully.
Do not sleep with contact lenses in your eyes, unless you have been prescribed "night & day" or "extended wear" LACs. Despite this, many professionals advise against sleeping with contact lenses, as it increases the risk of eye infections
Step 7. Remove the LACs before coming into contact with water
If you have to swim, take a bath or shower, soak in the whirlpool, then take off your contact lenses first. This is also a way to reduce the chances of infection.
Step 8. Stay hydrated
ACLs get stuck in the eye especially when they are dry. To prevent this from happening, drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you drink enough, your eyes will also be hydrated.
- The recommended daily water consumption is 3 liters per day for men and 2.2 liters for women.
- If you are prone to dry eyes, avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Both of these substances dehydrate the body; the best liquid is always water, but you can also consider alternative solutions, such as fruit juices, milk and decaffeinated teas and herbal teas without sugar.
Step 9. Stop smoking
Research has shown that smoking makes dry eyes worse. A dry eye is a contributing cause of a blocked lens. ACL carriers who are also smokers have more problems of this type than non-smokers.
Exposure to secondhand smoke can also cause irritation and problems for people who wear ACL
Step 10. Stay healthy
You can prevent eye problems by following a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough sleep and reducing eye strain.
- Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, kale, and other similar vegetables, are perfect for eye health. Even fatty fish such as salmon and tuna prevent eye problems, thanks to their content of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly have better overall eye health, as well as a lower risk of developing serious conditions such as glaucoma.
- If you don't get enough sleep, your eye health will suffer. One of the most common effects of poor sleep is dry eye; you may also experience spasms and myoclonus.
- Try to reduce eye strain when possible. You can do this by reducing the brightness of electronic devices, assuming an ergonomic posture in the workplace, and taking several breaks when doing a task that places a heavy load on the eyes.
Step 11. Get regular eye exams
Contact your doctor to identify and treat any problems from their onset; this way you can also quickly detect serious diseases such as glaucoma.
If you have eye problems and are nearly forty, then you should go to the eye doctor every year. Adults between 20 and 30 years of age should have checks at least every 2 years
Step 12. Tell your doctor about any problems
If your contact lenses get stuck often, see your ophthalmologist, as there could be a serious underlying condition. You can also ask your doctor for advice on prevention methods.
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See your eye doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Sudden loss of vision.
- Blurred vision.
- Flashes of light or luminous halos around objects.
- Eye pain, irritation, swelling or redness.
Advice
- It is always a good idea to moisten your eyes with saline before attempting to remove soft contact lenses. Once the solution is instilled, try to air dry your fingers and then try to remove the LACs. This way your fingertips have enough grip to grasp them.
- You can do an online search to find the ophthalmologist closest to you; just type the words "eye doctor" and the name of your city in any search engine to get many results.
- Put on your make-up after inserting your contact lenses and remove them before removing make-up. This way you prevent the LACs from getting dirty with make-up.
Warnings
- Always make sure your hands, case, towels, and anything that comes into contact with ACLs are clean, otherwise you could get an eye infection.
- Never use saliva to moisten contact lenses. This secretion is full of germs, and if you contaminate your contact lenses, you will transfer the bacteria to your eyes.
- Before instilling the contact lens solution into your eyes, read the instructions carefully. Regular saline is safe to lubricate LACs, but other products may contain cleansers that will sting your eyes.
- If your eyes are red and irritated after removing contact lenses, contact your eye doctor for an examination. This reaction could indicate a corneal abrasion.
- Never wear colored or "extravagant" contact lenses for Halloween without first having undergone thorough testing at your trusted optician. LACs that are not suitable for your eye could cause scratches, ulcers, infections and even permanent blindness.
