How to Take off Your Lenses if You Have Your Nails Done

Remove contact lenses methodically with manicured nails.

Getting contact lenses out of your eyes can be tricky enough without long or manicured nails. You risk scratching the lenses or worse--the surface of your eyes. Additionally, fingernails, whether real or not, can be a breeding ground for bacteria and foreign materials underneath the nail. But you don't have to give up having your nails done if you wear contact lenses. You just need to be methodical and careful when removing your lenses.

Instructions

1. Wait for nails to be completely dry. Do not attempt to remove contact lenses right after having your nails done. Even though your nails may look dry, it can take up to an hour for nail polish or acrylic nail glue to dry.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly. To avoid transferring bacteria from your hands or nails onto the lenses, wash your hands with soap and water. Clean under the fingernails with a liquid soap. Once done washing, thoroughly dry the hands and nails before removing your contact lenses. Check for fuzz or bits of material from towels before putting your fingers in your eye.

3. Add rewetting drops. Put a few moisturizing drops in your eyes to make sure they are well lubricated. This will make it easier to grab the contact lens with your fingers and lowers the chance of having your finger in your eye for a longer period of time. If your nails are manicured and long, this technique is helpful.

4. Use fingertips rather than nails to remove lenses. Place the middle fingertip on the cheekbone under the eye with the contact lens to be removed. Push down gently so the eyelid pulls down while looking up. Use your index finger to pull the contact lens into the white of your eye. Use your thumb and index fingertips to pinch the soft lens or touch the hard lens and remove from the eye.

5. Consult with your eye doctor. There is a specially designed tool that looks like an adapted version of tweezers to remove contact lenses from the eyes. It is for soft contact lenses only. You hold it in your hand and use the pronged tips to pinch the actual lens. Ask your eye doctor about this option or other suggestions for proper contact lens removal with nails.

Tips & Warnings

• Eye doctors will most likely suggest that you keep your nails short. You can still have them professionally manicured, but not too long.

References

• EyeSmart: Caring for Contact Lenses
• Best Eyeglasses: Contact Lens Wear Tips
• Life Tips: How Long Do I Let Nail Polish Dry Before I Do Things?

Resources

• Frames Direct: Inserting and Removing Your Contact Lenses