How to Remove Soft Contacts

Soft contact lenses must be removed daily for cleaning.

Soft contact lenses are made of a gentle plastic called hydrogel, which makes them less durable than hard contact lenses, but more comfortable for the wearer. The hydrogel is a porous material, meaning that bacteria and dust can easily pass through the contact lens, which is why soft contact lenses are typically removed daily for cleaning and disinfecting. Properly removing soft contact lenses without damaging the lenses or irritating the eye can be tricky at first, but by following a few simple steps, this technique will become routine.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Warm water
• Clean, lint-free towel
• Saline solution
• Contact lens case

Instructions

1. Thoroughly wash hands using soap and warm water, and dry them on a clean, lint-free towel.

2. Place the middle finger of your dominant hand on the lower eyelid of the right eye, and pull down gently.

3. Roll your eyes upwards, and pull the contact lens down using the index finger of your dominant hand.

4. Gently squeeze the contact lens between the index finger and thumb and remove the contact lens from your eye.

5. Place the contact lens into the right side of the contact lens case, fill with saline solution and replace the lid.

6. Remove the left contact lens following the same procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• Try adding a few drops of lubricating eye drops to each eye just before removing the contact lenses, as this will moisten the lenses and make them easier to remove.

References

• Advanced Eyecare Centre: How Do You Insert and Remove Contact Lenses?
• Bausch + Lomb: Inserting and Removing Your Soft Contact Lenses
• Health Canada: Contact Lenses