How to Handle a Stuck Contact Lens?

One of the most popular myths about contact lenses is that they might become stuck behind your eye. It is technically impossible for a contact lens to become stuck behind the eye; your eyelid is structured to prevent anything from entering the back of your eye.

A contact lens that becomes trapped in the eye is more likely to be a soft lens than a gas-permeable lens. However, both can become stuck, and it's essential to understand that removing a soft contact lens differs greatly from removing a rigid gas-permeable lens.

Getting a contact lens stuck in your eye is uncommon, and it may be unpleasant and irritating. Dryness is a typical cause of lenses being stuck. Here are several quick and easy techniques for removing a troublesome lens.

Common Causes of Contact Lens Mishaps:

Before we get into the specific methods for resolving common contact lens concerns, it's vital to make sure you're not doing anything on a daily basis that might enhance your chances of encountering them.

Some typical habits that cause discomfort, jammed lenses, and other lens difficulties include:

• Improper Care

Are you properly caring for your lenses? You most likely have one or two bad behaviors. In research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 99% of individuals polled acknowledged having at least one bad habit when it referred to contact lens care hygiene! If you don't clean your contact lenses correctly, or if you let them dry up, you're more likely to have stuck lenses and other problems while you use them.

Cleaning your lenses with contact solution on a regular basis (never use tap water) and storing them in their case can help keep them (and your eyes) safe.

• Forgetting to replace lenses on a regular basis

It's also critical to replace your contact lenses on a regular basis, whether they're disposable or extended-wear. Pay attention to and follow the replacement schedule recommended by your doctor or the wear instructions.

• Inadequate Fit

If you have discomfort or other problems with your contacts despite cleaning and maintaining them carefully, they may be the wrong size. Consult your eye doctor about having them changed to fit more comfortably.

• Allergen Exposure in the Environment

If there is a high concentration of dust, pollen, dander, or other common allergens in the air, you may experience redness, dryness, and other symptoms. This is due to the ease with which these particles adhere to your lenses.

While coping with allergies, you can wear contacts, but you may need to take some extra care to avoid discomfort.

• Eye Infections

Finally, bacterial eye infections can make your contact lenses incredibly unpleasant. If you've exhausted all other options and your lenses are still troubling you, see your doctor to rule out an infection or obtain medication to clean it up.

What should you do if Contact Lens Mishaps?

Now, it's time to get down to business. If you have a stuck contact lens or another frequent problem, here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to correct it.

• Stuck Contact Lens

Dryness is a common reason for a stuck contact lens. Dryness can be caused by napping with your contacts, not properly cleaning them, or being exposed to allergens.

How to Remove a Stuck Soft Contact Lens

If your contact lens becomes stuck, the first thing you should do is thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Then, determine where your lens is in your eye. keep your eye open and gaze intently in the mirror to discover it.

After you've found your lens, rinse your eyes with a saline solution. Then, shut your eye and gently massage your eyelid to bring the lens closer to the cornea. You should then be able to delicately pinch or slide the lens out.

When you feel the contact move, gently guide it toward your eye's center. Continue washing with the solution and rubbing your eyelid until it is in a position where it can be easily removed.

Remember to visit your optician if you are unable to remove your lenses. They will be able to do so by using fluorescein, which will aid in making the lenses visible to them. If your optician is not accessible, you should proceed to the nearest A&E department.

• Torn Contact Lens

Remove your lens and check for tears if you're experiencing a lot of pain or discomfort. If you see one, don't put your lens back in. This may scrape your cornea, increasing your chances of infection.

Remove the shattered lens as quickly as possible.

It's also not a good idea to replace a new lens immediately quickly. Give your eyes a break after wearing a few hours or days.

• Inside-Out Contact Lens

You'll notice immediately away if you insert your contact lens from the inside out. You'll probably feel a lot of pain, and it could pop out soon after you put it in.

This problem most commonly affects new contact lens wearers who are still getting the hang of inserting their lenses.

Place it on the tip of your finger with the edges pointing up to prevent putting them inside out (be sure to wash and dry your hands thoroughly, first).

Once it's on your finger, check the lens from the side to make sure the corners aren't flaring out. It should take the shape of a beautiful cup.

Do you require new contacts?

If you frequently experience contact lens catastrophes, such as a stuck contact lens or dry eyes, you don't have to give up contacts entirely. You might just need to purchase a different brand of lenses.