Although rare, a contact lens may get stuck behind your eye. In this article, we help you learn about the symptoms of a stuck lens and how to remove it. We also have tips on how to prevent lenses from getting stuck. So stay with us till the end!
Can a contact lens get stuck behind my eye?
Short answer? -yes-, but we suggest you stay for the long one cause we have some beneficial facts.
Although it is possible for a contact lens to get dislodged and go to the back of your eye and get stuck there, you don’t have to worry about it very much because it is rare for something like that to happen.
Contact lenses are designed to cover the eye’s front surface. They are typically more significant than the opening between the eye and the back of the eyelids, making them unlikely to pass through. This fact and the natural structure of the eye will work in your favour. Also, the eye has protective mechanisms that work hard to lessen the odds of a stuck contact lens.
However, in rare cases, a contact lens can dislodge and move behind the eye, making you uncomfortable and concerned. If something like this happens, it is essential not to try invasive methods that will harm your eye and to seek help from an eye care professional for a thorough examination.
Although a stuck lens is a fundamental matter that you should act on in an emergency, you shouldn’t worry that the lens will get lost or trapped because the eye structure won’t allow something like that to happen.
What happens if a contact lens gets stuck in my eye?
If a contact lens becomes stuck in your eye, it can make you uncomfortable and irritated. Also, there is a potential for future complications. Symptoms of a stuck contact lens are persistent pain, redness, excessive tearing, and the sensation of having something lodged in the eye.
If you try to remove the stuck lens with aggression and through invasive ways, it can seriously damage the delicate anatomy of your eye. You should avoid rubbing or manipulating the eye to dislodge the lens because this can lead to corneal abrasions or displace the lens further.
Seeking immediate professional help from an eye care specialist is essential if you suspect a contact lens is stuck in your eye. Your eye doctor will do a complete examination using specialized instruments to locate and safely remove the contact lens without causing harm to your eye.
How to remove a contact lens that’s stuck in your eye
- Firstly, wash your hands and add a few eye drops as lubricant.
- Then, you should close your eyes and massage them in a very gentle way that won’t make the lens go further back.
- After getting the lens in a position where you can remove them without harming your eyes, gently remove them and put them in the solution.
You should be careful and not do this excessively if it is not working. Instead, contact a professional and make an appointment to get your contacts out without seriously harming your eyes.
Here You can read the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s suggested way of removing stuck lenses
Tips to prevent contact lenses from getting stuck in your eye
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Properly insert or remove the contact lenses
A proper step-by-step plan for inserting and removing your contact lenses is essential to prevent contact lenses from getting stuck in your eye. This includes ensuring your hands are clean before inserting or removing contact lenses. This can minimize the risk of dirt and other harmful things getting behind the lens and harming your eyes.
Always use the recommended solution to clean and store your lenses and replace them as your eye doctor advises to prevent damage or discomfort.
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Avoid wearing damaged or ill-fitting lenses
Wearing these lenses can increase the likelihood of a lens dislodging and getting stuck behind the eye.
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Do not sleep with your contact lenses
Unless you have particular kinds of contacts and are advised by your doctor to sleep with lenses, you should never sleep having them on. Also, because lenses prevent getting oxygen to your eyes if you sleep wearing them, you can wake up with dry eyes that make you uncomfortable.
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Do not swim or shower with your contact lenses
Excessive activity and water pressure while swimming and showering with contact lenses on may make them dislodge and move to the back of your eye. Bacteria and other harmful substances can lead to an infected eye if you don’t take out your contact lenses before these activities.
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Get examined by your eye doctor regularly
It is essential to get examined by your eye doctor regularly because they will ensure your lenses fit well and not harm your eyes.
Here You can read about how you can care for your lenses properly
Frequently asked questions
We have tried to answer your most frequently asked questions about this matter efficiently and quickly.
- Can contact lenses get stuck behind your eye?
Yes, although rare, a contact lens can get stuck behind your eye. Contact lenses are designed to stay on the eye’s surface and are typically more significant than the opening between the eye and the back of the eyelids. However, a contact lens can get stuck and move behind the eye in rare cases.
- What are the symptoms of a contact lens stuck behind the eye?
If you are feeling persistent discomfort, pain, redness, excessive tearing, and the sensation of having something stuck behind the eye, your contact lenses may have moved behind your eye and gotten stuck. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention to avoid problems in the future.
- What should I do if a contact lens is stuck behind my eye?
If you suspect a contact lens is stuck behind your eye and hasn’t come out in your gentle ways, do not try to remove it yourself with aggression. Contact an eye care professional immediately for an examination. They have the tools and expertise to safely locate and remove the contact lens without causing further damage to the eye.
- How is a contact lens removed if it gets stuck behind the eye?
The eye care professional will thoroughly examine using specialized instruments to locate the contact lens. In some cases, the contact lens may be easily removed with gentle manipulation. In more complex cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to retrieve the contact lens from behind the eye.
- How can I prevent a contact lens from getting stuck behind my eye?
To minimize the risk of a contact lens getting stuck behind the eye, follow proper insertion and removal techniques, avoid wearing damaged or ill-fitting lenses, and seek regular eye exams to ensure an appropriate fit and eye health.
As we said, it’s rare for a contact lens to get stuck in your eye, but it is not impossible. Use our tips, like carefully inserting and removing contact lenses and not sleeping with your contacts.
And if your contact lenses get stuck in your eye, stay calm and try to get them out in the way we taught you in this article. And remember, if you can’t get them out through a non-invasive way, You should contact a Professional like an eye doctor to avoid damaging your eyes.
