How Do I Take Off My Contact Lenses?

Removing soft contact lenses can be a tricky task for new wearers. Even long time contact lens wearers can experience occasionally frustration when inserting, removing and handling lenses, so don't despair if the task seems daunting at first. Practice, patience and a little professional guidance are necessary elements for perfecting a contact lens removal technique.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Contact lens solution
• Mirror

1. Wash hands with a mild soap. Avoid soaps that have a strong smell or contain lanolin as this may irritate your eyes.

2. Plug the sink drain or cover the drain with a towel if standing in front of a sink.

3. Pull the upper lid upwards with the pointer finger of your non-dominant hand. The hand should rest on the forehead while securing the upper eye lid.

4. Use the middle finger of the dominant hand to gently pull the lower lid down.

5. Look up or up and central, towards the nose.

6. Pinch the edges of the contact lens with the pointer finger and thumb of the dominant hand. Do not let go of the lower lid.

7. Pull the edges of the contact lens towards the middle of the eye while pulling outward. In order for the contact lens to come out the seal it makes with the eye must be broken, this is done by "wrinkling" the lens a bit. Use a firm grip and a bit of pressure but avoid pressing the fingernails into the contact lens.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping the lens moist while working with it will make insertion and removal easier. If the lens has been in a long time or has been worn during sleep apply a few drops of contact lens solution or re-wetting solution directly to the eye to ease removal. Practice touching the eye prior to inserting or removing contact lenses to get a feel for how much pressure is comfortable and to ease an inhibition.
• Use only the solution recommended for your contact lenses. If needed, most lenses can be rinsed frequently with saline solution to improve comfort and cleanliness during insertion. Never soak soft contact lenses overnight in saline solution as it will not prevent microbial growth on the lens. A contact lens cannot get "lost" in the back of the eye, it is physically impossible for it to move behind the eye. If a lens appears to be out of the eye but cannot be located it is most likely on the floor, sink or counter.

Resources

• Contact lenses

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