It’s 11:30 PM. You’re exhausted. You’ve just spent five minutes poking your eye in front of a bathroom mirror that suddenly feels too bright, and the panic is starting to set in because that tiny piece of plastic contact won't come out. Your eye is getting red. You’re starting to wonder if it’s somehow slid behind your eyeball and into your brain (spoiler: it hasn’t, and it literally can't).
Don't freak out.
The human eye is remarkably resilient, but it’s also very good at sending "danger" signals to your brain the moment something feels off. When a contact lens gets stuck, it’s usually because of one of three things: it’s too dry, it’s shifted under the eyelid, or you’re trying to grab it with your "panic brain" instead of your actual fingers. Take a breath. Take two. We’re going to walk through exactly how to get that lens out without a trip to the ER.
Why Your Contact Lens is Acting Like a Magnet
Most of the time, the lens is still right there on your cornea. It’s just "suctioned" on. Soft contact lenses are made of hydrogel or silicone hydrogel, materials that love water. If your eyes are dry—maybe you stared at a computer for eight hours or you’re slightly dehydrated—the lens loses its moisture and clings to the surface of the eye for dear life.
It feels stuck. Because it is.
Think of it like a wet piece of Saran Wrap on a glass table. If there’s a layer of moisture, it slides. If it dries out, you’re going to have a hard time peeling it up without tearing something.
There’s also the "lost" lens scenario. This is when the lens folds over and migrates under the upper or lower eyelid. It feels scratchy, like there’s a grain of sand the size of a boulder in your eye. But here is the medical reality: the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent membrane, covers the white of your eye and loops back to line the inside of your eyelids. This creates a sealed pocket. A lens can get tucked in that pocket, but it is physically impossible for it to go behind the eye.
🔗 Read more: Why Take Digoxin at Night: What Doctors Actually Look For
The First Rule: Stop Poking the Red Part
If your eye is already bright red and watering, stop.
Seriously.
Every time you jab at a dry eye, you’re risking a corneal abrasion—basically a scratch on the clear front surface of your eye. These hurt like crazy and can lead to infections like keratitis. If the contact won't come out after three tries, give yourself a five-minute "eye time-out." Walk away from the mirror. Drink a glass of water. Let your natural tears do a little bit of the heavy lifting.
Hydrate the Lens First
If the lens is stuck on the cornea, you need to lubricate it. Do not use tap water. Tap water can contain Acanthamoeba, a nasty parasite that loves to eat eye tissue. Only use sterile saline solution or rewetting drops specifically designed for contacts.
- Tilt your head back.
- Put 2–3 drops in the eye.
- Close your eye and gently massage the lid.
- Wait a full minute.
Usually, this "re-floats" the lens. Once it’s floating again, it should pinch right off like normal.
📖 Related: Raising Bed for GERD: Why Pillows Aren't Enough and What Actually Works
When the Lens is Actually "Lost" in Your Eye
If you look in the mirror and don't see the lens on your iris, but you still feel it, it’s likely folded under the upper lid. This is the part that makes people squeamish, but it’s a standard fix.
Look as far down as you can. While looking down, gently press on the upper eyelid and massage in a downward motion toward the lashes. This often coaxes the folded lens back into view. If that doesn't work, you can actually evert (flip) your eyelid. It sounds gross, but it’s what optometrists do. You place a Q-tip horizontally against the middle of the upper lid, grab the lashes, and gently pull the lid up and over the Q-tip.
Usually, the lens is just sitting there, crumpled like a tiny wet tissue.
The Suction Cup Method for Hard Lenses
If you wear RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) lenses, the "pinch" method won't work. These are hard plastic. If a hard contact won't come out, you typically use a small suction tool—a tiny rubber wand—to pull it off.
But what if you lost the wand?
You have to use the "blink and tension" method. Place a finger at the outer corner of your eye (the lateral canthus) and pull the skin tight toward your ear. Then, blink hard. The tension of the eyelids should pop the edge of the hard lens off the eye. If it’s stuck on the white of your eye (the sclera), use a suction cup. Do not try to slide a hard lens across your cornea; you'll scratch it.
🔗 Read more: Calories Burned Bicep Curls: The Reality of What You’re Actually Torching
When to Call a Doctor
Sometimes, you just can't get it. And that’s okay.
If you’ve spent 30 minutes trying and your vision is getting blurry or the pain is increasing, call an urgent care or your optometrist. They have a slit-lamp microscope that can see things you can't see in a bathroom mirror.
Watch for these red flags:
- Severe pain that persists after the lens is (supposedly) out.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
- Discharge or "goop" that isn't just normal tearing.
- A feeling like something is still in there, even though you’ve confirmed the lens is in the trash.
That last one is tricky. A corneal abrasion feels exactly like a stuck contact lens. Many people keep digging into their eye because they think the lens is still there, when in reality, they’ve already removed the lens and are now just poking a fresh wound.
Expert Tips for Next Time
- Check your hydration: If you’re a heavy coffee drinker or on antihistamines, your eyes will be drier.
- The "Taco" Test: Before putting a lens in, pinch it. If the edges curl in like a taco, it's right-side out. If they flare out like a soup bowl, it's inside out. Inside-out lenses get stuck way more often.
- Discard old lenses: Daily disposables are called dailies for a reason. As lenses age, the surface proteins build up, making them "stickier" and less oxygen-permeable.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
If you are reading this while staring at a mirror with one red eye, follow this sequence:
- Wash your hands with plain soap (no perfumes or oils) and dry them with a lint-free towel.
- Flood the eye with sterile saline or contact-safe drops.
- Wait 60 seconds. Do not touch it yet.
- Look up and use your middle finger to pull down your lower lid.
- Touch the bottom edge of the lens with your index finger and slide it down onto the white part of your eye.
- Pinch it gently between the pads of your thumb and index finger. Do not use your fingernails.
- If it’s still stuck, stop for the night. Use lubricating drops and sleep on it. Often, your natural eye lubrication overnight will loosen the lens by morning. If it’s still stuck when you wake up, it’s time to see a professional.
Most contact lens mishaps are solved by patience rather than force. Your eye is a delicate piece of machinery; treat it like one. If the lens is stubborn, it's usually just thirsty. Give it some saline, give yourself a break, and try again when the adrenaline has faded.