A contact lens can fold or slide under your eyelid, but it can’t travel behind your eye.
A gritty feeling, redness, dryness, or blurry vision in one eye may be a sign that a lens is still in your eye.
Rewetting drops and a gentle touch can help you remove a stuck lens.
Avoid rubbing, poking, or using sharp tools.
If you can’t find the lens or irritation continues, the team at Littlefield Eye Associates can help.
You blink, and something feels off. Maybe your eye stings, or maybe the lens you swear you took out is nowhere to be found. Littlefield Eye Associates often hears this concern from patients across Kansas City, and the good news is that it’s usually something you can address safely with a little patience.
If your eye feels gritty, looks red, or your vision is blurry in one eye, your contact lens may still be there. A careful check with clean hands and good lighting can help you find it. If it stays stuck, our team can take a closer look during an eye exam in Kansas City, MO, and help you explore contact lens options that fit your eyes and daily routine.
Can I Lose a Contact in My Eye?
A lens can seem to vanish. A soft lens can fold in half and slide under your upper eyelid, where it may be difficult to see.
Because the lens is thin and clear, it’s easy to miss, even when you look closely in a mirror.
Here’s the reassuring part: a contact lens can’t travel behind your eye. It stays on or around the front surface of your eye, so it can be found and removed.
I Can’t Tell if My Contact Is Still in My Eye
Signs Your Lens Is Still There
Your eye may give you a few clues. Watch for these signs:
- A gritty feeling or the sense of something under your lid
- Redness, dryness, or watery eyes
- Blurry vision in one eye
Can You Have a Lens In and Not Feel It?
Some lenses may not cause much discomfort even if they’ve shifted or folded, so a comfortable eye doesn’t necessarily mean the lens is gone.
Blurry vision in just one eye can be a helpful clue. If you’re unsure, it’s worth taking a careful look, even if your eye doesn’t feel irritated.
How to Check for a Lens in Your Eye
Take a slow, steady approach. Here’s how to check:
- Wash your hands with soap and water, then stand in front of a mirror with good light.
- Gently pull down your lower lid and look, then carefully lift your upper lid and check beneath it.
- Blink, add a few contact lens-safe lubricating drops, and look up, down, left, and right.
If you still can’t see the lens, pause before trying again. Repeated touching can irritate your eye.
How to Remove a Stuck Contact Lens
Gentle Removal Steps
Patience is important when removing a stuck lens. Try these steps with clean hands:
- Add rewetting drops or contact lens-safe lubricating drops first so the lens can move more freely.
- Use the pad of your fingertip, not your nail, to gently slide the lens toward the white of your eye.
- Gently pinch the lens between the pads of your thumb and forefinger to remove it.
What to Do if It Stays Stuck Overnight
If you think a contact lens may still be in your eye, avoid trying to force it out. Keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t rub or poke your eye, and never use sharp tools to remove a lens.
- Give your eye a break before trying again.
- Switch to glasses while your eye rests.
- Contact our team if you still can’t remove the lens or your eye becomes painful, very red, or irritated.
When to See an Eye Doctor in Kansas City, MO
Risks of Leaving a Lens in Too Long
A lens left in place for too long, or one that’s removed too aggressively, can irritate or injure the eye. Potential problems can include:
- Scratches on the cornea
- Eye infection or swelling
- Lingering discomfort or irritation
When to Book an Eye Exam in Kansas City
Reach out to our optometrists if you can’t find the lens or if redness, pain, blurry vision, or irritation continues. It’s also worth scheduling a visit if contact lens problems keep happening. Our team can talk with you about other options that may better suit your eyes and your daily routine.
Littlefield Eye Associates has served the Waldo neighborhood since 1909, offering professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate eye care for the whole family. Book an appointment today, and let our team help you keep your eyes comfortable and your vision clear.
