How to Remove Contact Lenses

How to Remove Contact Lenses

Removing contact lenses correctly is essential for maintaining eye health and comfort. Improper removal can lead to eye infections, discomfort, and damage to your lenses. In this post, we will explore:

  • The importance of proper removal and hygiene
  • Step-by-step instructions for removing soft contact lenses
  • Techniques for removing hard or rigid contact lenses
  • Methods for handling stuck lenses
  • Tips for new contact lens wearers
  • Proper cleaning and storing techniques
  • Troubleshooting common issues

Before starting, you may want to check how to wear contact lenses the right way.

Let’s learn everything you need to know about safely and effectively removing your contact lenses to ensure a comfortable and healthy experience.

Why Proper Removal is Important

Properly removing your contact lenses is essential for maintaining both eye health and the longevity of your lenses. Removing your contacts correctly helps to:

  • Prevent Eye Infections: Touching your eyes with dirty hands or improperly handling your lenses can introduce bacteria and other harmful microorganisms into your eyes. This can lead to infections that may cause discomfort, redness, and in severe cases, more serious eye health issues.
  • Ensure Lens Integrity: By following the correct removal procedures, you can prevent damage to your lenses. Improper removal can cause tears or scratches, which not only reduce the effectiveness of the lenses but can also cause discomfort or even injury to your eyes.

Understanding the importance of these steps and incorporating them into your daily routine will help you enjoy a comfortable and safe contact lens experience.

Preparing for Removal

Washing Hands Thoroughly

Proper hand hygiene is crucial when handling contact lenses to prevent eye infections and ensure the safety and cleanliness of your lenses.

  • Importance of Hygiene: Before touching your contact lenses, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This helps remove dirt, oils, and bacteria that can cause eye infections. Scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds ensures they are clean.
  • Avoiding Scented Soaps and Lotions: Use a mild, unscented soap to wash your hands. Scented soaps and lotions can leave residues on your hands, which can transfer to your lenses and irritate your eyes. After washing, dry your hands with a clean, lint-free towel to prevent any particles from sticking to your lenses.

By making hand washing a consistent part of your contact lens removal routine, you can maintain better eye health and enhance the longevity of your lenses.

How to Remove Soft Contact Lenses

Removing soft contact lenses is a straightforward process that, with a little practice, will become second nature. Follow these steps for safe and easy removal:

  1. Look Straight Ahead in a Mirror: Stand in front of a well-lit mirror and look directly ahead. This helps keep the lens centered on your eye and makes the removal process easier.
  2. Use Your Non-Dominant Hand to Hold Eyelids: With your non-dominant hand, use your middle finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid. Simultaneously, use your index finger to lift your upper eyelid, ensuring your eye is fully open and steady.
  3. Pinch the Lens Gently with Thumb and Index Finger: Using the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, gently pinch the edges of the contact lens. Be careful not to pinch too hard or touch your eye directly. The lens should easily come away from the surface of your eye.
  4. Alternative Method: Sliding the Lens: If pinching the lens is difficult, you can try sliding it. With your non-dominant hand holding your eyelids open, use the index finger of your dominant hand to gently slide the lens down to the white part of your eye. Once it’s on the lower part of your eye, it should be easier to pinch and remove.

By following these steps, you can safely and effectively remove your soft contact lenses, ensuring a comfortable and hygienic experience.

How to Remove Hard or Rigid Contact Lenses

Removing hard or rigid contact lenses requires a slightly different technique compared to soft lenses. Here’s how to do it safely:

  1. Look Straight into a Mirror: Position yourself in front of a well-lit mirror and look directly into it. This helps keep the lens centered and makes the removal process easier.
  2. Blink Method to Pop Out the Lens:
    • Hold Your Eyelids Open: Use the index fingers of both hands to hold your upper and lower eyelids open. Place one finger on the top lid and one on the bottom lid.
    • Blink Hard: With your eyelids held open, blink hard. The pressure from blinking should help pop the lens out. It may land on your cheek or hand, so be prepared to catch it.
  3. Alternative Method: Using a Suction Tool:
    • Prepare the Suction Tool: Some hard contact lenses can be removed with a small suction cup tool. Wet the tip of the tool with sterile saline solution.
    • Position the Suction Tool: Hold your lower eyelid down with one hand and gently press the suction tool onto the center of the lens with the other hand.
    • Remove the Lens: Once the suction tool adheres to the lens, pull it away from the eye gently to remove the lens.

By following these methods, you can effectively remove hard or rigid contact lenses without causing discomfort or damage to your eyes. Practice these steps to ensure a smooth and safe removal process.We also strongly recommend checking for red flags while wearing contact lenses.

How to Handle Stuck Lenses

Occasionally, contact lenses can become stuck on your eye, causing discomfort and difficulty in removal. Here are some methods to safely dislodge stuck lenses:

  1. Blinking and Looking Around:
    • Blink Your Eye: Close your eye and blink several times while looking around in different directions. This can help the lens re-center and detach from the eye's surface.
    • Look Up and Down: Try looking up, down, and side to side. The movement can help loosen the lens and make it easier to remove.
  2. Gently Pushing the Lens with Your Finger:
    • Close Your Eye: With your eye closed, use your finger to gently massage the eyelid in the direction you want the lens to move. This can help reposition the lens if it’s stuck on the white part of the eye.
    • Open Your Eye and Push the Lens: With your eye open, use the pad of your finger to gently push the lens toward the center of your eye. Once the lens is centered, it should be easier to pinch or slide out.

If these methods do not work or if you experience significant discomfort, it’s important to consult with an eye care professional for assistance. Never force the lens out, as this can cause damage to your eye.

First-Timer Tips

Getting used to wearing and removing contact lenses can take some practice. Here are some helpful tips for new contact lens wearers to make the process smoother:

  1. Taking Your Time:
    • Be Patient: Don’t rush the process of removing your contact lenses. Take your time to ensure you are handling them correctly and comfortably.
    • Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with the routine. Give yourself time to get used to the steps.
  2. Using Good Lighting:
    • Ensure Proper Lighting: Stand in a well-lit area, preferably in front of a bright mirror. Good lighting helps you see the lens clearly, making it easier to handle and remove.
    • Avoid Shadows: Make sure there are no shadows obstructing your view. This will help you see your eye and the lens more clearly.
  3. Starting with the Same Eye Every Time:
    • Develop a Routine: Always start with the same eye when removing your lenses. This habit helps you remember which lens belongs to which eye, reducing the risk of mixing them up.
    • Consistency is Key: By being consistent, you create a routine that becomes second nature, making the process quicker and easier over time.

Following these tips can help new contact lens wearers build confidence and develop a smooth, efficient routine for handling their lenses.

How to Clean and Store Your Contacts

Proper Cleaning Techniques

Keeping your contact lenses clean is essential for maintaining eye health and preventing infections. Follow these steps to ensure your lenses are properly cleaned:

  1. Using Fresh Cleaning Solution:
    • Always Use Fresh Solution: Each time you clean your lenses, use a fresh, sterile contact lens cleaning solution. Never reuse old solutions, as they can contain bacteria and debris.
    • Avoid Tap Water: Never rinse your lenses or lens case with tap water, which can introduce harmful microorganisms. You can explore the importance of contact lens solutions by reading our guide.
  2. Rubbing Lenses Gently:
    • Place the Lens in Your Palm: After removing the lens, place it in the palm of your hand.
    • Apply Cleaning Solution: Squeeze a few drops of contact lens cleaning solution onto the lens.
    • Rub Gently: Using the pad of your finger, gently rub the lens in a circular motion for about 30 seconds to remove any buildup or debris. Flip the lens over and repeat on the other side.

Storing Lenses Safely

Proper storage is crucial for keeping your contact lenses in good condition and preventing contamination.

  1. Cleaning the Lens Case:
    • Rinse the Case with Cleaning Solution: After removing your lenses, rinse the lens case with fresh cleaning solution to remove any residue.
    • Air Dry: Allow the case to air dry, with the lids off, to prevent the growth of bacteria.
  2. Ensuring Lenses are Fully Submerged in Solution:
    • Fill the Case with Fresh Solution: Before storing your lenses, fill each compartment of the lens case with fresh cleaning solution.
    • Submerge the Lenses: Place each lens in its designated compartment and ensure it is fully submerged in the solution.
    • Seal the Case: Close the case tightly to keep the solution sterile and prevent contamination.

By following these cleaning and storage techniques, you can help maintain the quality of your contact lenses and protect your eye health. Regularly cleaning and properly storing your lenses will ensure they remain comfortable and effective.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Having Trouble Removing Lenses

If you encounter difficulties while removing your contact lenses, don’t worry—there are several strategies you can try to make the process easier and more comfortable.

  1. Using Rewetting Drops:
    • Apply Rewetting Drops: If your eyes feel dry or the lenses seem stuck, apply a few rewetting drops. These drops can help lubricate your eyes, making it easier to remove the lenses.
    • Wait a Few Moments: After applying the drops, wait a few moments to allow the moisture to spread and loosen the lens.
  2. Giving Yourself Enough Time:
    • Don’t Rush: Make sure you have enough time to remove your lenses calmly. Rushing can lead to mistakes and discomfort.
    • Stay Relaxed: Take deep breaths and stay relaxed during the removal process. Tension can make it harder to handle the lenses properly.
  3. Sliding the Lens to the White of Your Eye:
    • Look Up: With your eye open, look up to expose more of the white part of your eye.
    • Slide the Lens: Gently use the pad of your finger to slide the lens down to the white part of your eye. This area is less sensitive and makes it easier to pinch or remove the lens.
    • Pinch the Lens: Once the lens is on the white part of your eye, use your thumb and index finger to pinch it and remove it gently.

By using these troubleshooting techniques, you can address common issues that might arise when removing your contact lenses. If you continue to experience difficulties or discomfort, consult with your eye care professional for additional guidance and support.

You can also read our detailed guide on how to manage contact lens discomfort.

Conclusion: Removing Contact Lenses

Proper removal and care of contact lenses are crucial for maintaining eye health and ensuring the longevity of your lenses. Here are the key points to remember:

  • Importance of Hygiene: Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses to prevent infections and contamination.
  • Proper Techniques for Removal: Follow the step-by-step instructions for removing both soft and hard contact lenses to ensure a smooth and safe process.
  • Handling Stuck Lenses: Use methods like blinking, looking around, and gently pushing the lens to dislodge stuck lenses without causing damage or discomfort.
  • Cleaning and Storing Lenses: Clean your lenses with fresh solution and store them properly to maintain their quality and prevent eye infections.
  • First-Timer Tips: Take your time, use good lighting, and start with the same eye each time to develop a comfortable and efficient routine.
  • Troubleshooting Common Issues: Apply rewetting drops, give yourself enough time, and slide the lens to the white of your eye if you encounter difficulties.

Taking the time to properly remove and care for your contact lenses is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and preventing complications. By following the recommended techniques and tips, you can avoid discomfort, infections, and damage to your lenses.

Encouragement to Develop Good Contact Lens Habits for Eye Health and Comfort

Developing good contact lens habits will lead to a more comfortable and effective wearing experience. Consistent practices, such as proper hygiene, correct removal techniques, and regular cleaning, will ensure that your lenses provide clear vision and remain comfortable throughout the day. 

Remember, healthy habits contribute to long-term eye health and overall comfort, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of wearing contact lenses safely.

Back to blog