Things You'll Need:
- Rewetting and lubricating solution (eye drops made especially for contact wearers)
- Suction cup device
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Step 1
Try these steps if the contact lens is in the correct place on the eye and you're just not sure how to remove it:
For a SOFT CONTACT LENS, use your thumb and index finger to open the upper and lower lids of your eye. Using your other hand put your finger on the lens and push it down and over toward the outer corner of your eye. Then just sweep it out. Or you can move the lens down so that it folds up and you can then "pinch" it out.
For a HARD CONTACT LENS, pull your eyelid to one side and then blink. It should pop out on its own. -
Step 2
Wet your finger with rewetting solution (eyedrops made especially for use with contact lenses) before touching the lens. Contacts tend to stick to the wettest surface so sometimes this makes it easier to remove them. I use Bausch and Lomb ReNu Rewetting Solution. See "Resources" section below for a link to these drops.
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Step 3
Put a few drops of re-wetting solution in your eye. Pull your eyelid down and roll your eye around. This often dislodges a stuck contact lens by moving it back into its proper place.
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Step 4
Close your eye and put your finger on the your eyelid over the area where the contact is stuck. Gently push on the eyelid with a downward motion to help slide the contact back down into place.
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Step 5
Use a suction cup device made especially for removing contacts. You can find them at many pharmacies or you can order one. See the "Resources" section below for a link to these devices. There are different suction cups depending on whether you have rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses or soft lenses so make sure you choose the correct device.
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Step 6
Go to the emergency room if you are not comfortable removing the contact lens yourself or if you just can't get it out. They will use a suction cup device to remove it for you.
