- A contact lens cannot disappear behind your eyeball, as your conjunctiva seals off that space.
- The lens is usually tucked under your upper eyelid or has already fallen out of your eye.
- Wash your hands, blink gently and move your eye in all directions before you start looking.
- Moisten your eye with a sterile solution suitable for use in the eye, and never use tap water.
- If you can’t find the lens, or if you’re experiencing pain, redness or blurred vision, have your eye examined on the same day.
Losing a contact lens in your eye can be alarming, but a lens cannot disappear behind your eyeball. It’s usually tucked under your upper eyelid, or it may have already fallen out of your eye without you noticing. The feeling of panic is understandable, as it seems as though the lens has slipped somewhere far away. However, the structure of your eye makes this impossible. If you search calmly, you’ll almost always find the lens. In this article, you’ll find a clear step-by-step guide: how to react immediately, how to moisten your eye, and how to search under your eyelids. You’ll also learn one clear limit: when to stop searching and have your eye examined on the same day.
Can a contact lens disappear behind your eye?
No, a contact lens cannot disappear behind your eyeball. Your conjunctiva runs from the inside of your eyelid to the surface of your eye and seals off that space. A lens can therefore only shift position, usually under your upper eyelid. Stay calm, wash your hands and search for the lens step by step. If you can no longer feel it, the lens has often already fallen out of your eye.
The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent mucous membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids and extends onto the white of the eye. Because this membrane forms a closed sac, there is simply no way out. A lens will therefore end up in one of three places: on the coloured part of your eye, pushed away under an eyelid, or outside your eye because it has fallen out. If you’re aware of this, you can search more effectively. If your eye feels irritated, it helps to know which symptoms require attention, so that you can distinguish between a mild irritation and something that needs to be assessed.
What should you do straight away if you’ve lost a lens?
First, wash your hands with soap and dry them with a clean towel. Do not squeeze your eye shut or rub it. Blink gently a few times so that your tears move the lens towards the centre of your eye. Then look in the mirror and move your eye to the left, right, up and down. This will usually help you see where the lens is.
So, the steps are: wash your hands, blink gently, look in the mirror and move your eye in all directions. Clean hands are essential here, as you’ll be working very close to your eye; ophthalmologists emphasise the importance of hygiene when handling lenses. Just as important is what you don’t do. Don’t rub your eye, as this will simply push the lens further away or damage its surface. Never use tweezers to search inside your eye, and do not rinse your eye with tap water. Stay calm; rushing leads to rubbing, which makes it harder to find the lens. If you can’t remove it straight away, have a look at how to remove contact lenses step by step.
How do you moisten your eye to loosen the lens?
Use a sterile solution that, according to the instructions, is intended for use in the eye, such as a sterile saline solution. Put a few drops into your eye and blink gently. Then wait a moment to allow the lens to loosen. Do not use tap water, saliva or bottled water: these are not sterile and may introduce harmful microorganisms into your eye. If you are unsure about the solution, ask your optician.
A displaced lens often sticks because it has dried out, and a few drops of sterile saline solution will make it supple again. Be aware of the difference between a storage solution and a sterile rinsing solution: only use what the instructions for use permit for use in the eye. Tap water should never be used, as lenses and water do not mix. Water can carry microorganisms such as Acanthamoeba, and research by the RIVM shows that serious corneal infections do occur among contact lens wearers. Maintaining sterile conditions is therefore not an excessive precaution, but the safest course of action.
How do you find the lens under your upper or lower eyelid?
To check your upper eyelid, look down and gently pull the lid upwards with a clean finger so that you can see the upper edge. To check your lower eyelid, look up and gently pull the lid downwards. In both cases, look for a rim or a faint shadow. If you can see the lens, blink to move it towards the centre and remove it from there.
Good lighting and a mirror make the search easier, and sometimes it helps if someone else looks with you and gently lifts your eyelid. Always use clean, dry fingers and do not apply any pressure to your eyeball. The steps involved in removing the lens form a good basis, and your optician can demonstrate the correct lens-handling technique once. It is important to know when to stop: give it a few gentle attempts and then stop. If you cannot find the lens, or if the irritation increases, do not carry on searching but have your eye examined. Continuing to rub or force the lens poses a greater risk than the lost lens itself.
Common causes of a displaced contact lens
A lens rarely shifts out of place for no reason. Rubbing your eyes, a dry eye, playing sport, a lens that doesn’t fit properly or a lens that hasn’t been placed correctly on your eye are common causes. A damaged or distorted lens edge can also result in a less stable fit. If this happens frequently, have your lenses and fit checked.
There are some issues you can tackle yourself. Insert your lenses gently and ensure they’re centred, avoid rubbing your eyes whilst wearing lenses, and keep your eyes well-moisturised if they start to feel dry. Other causes should be addressed by your specialist. The fit of a lens, the condition of the lens edge and the severity of dry eyes are all factors assessed during a check-up. If a lens keeps slipping out of place, this is a sign that you should have the fit checked rather than continuing to wear it as normal. A lens that fits properly and is intact will remain much more stable in place.
What should you do if your lens is torn or you have persistent symptoms?
If a lens has torn, look for all the pieces and do not use the lens again. Ragged edges can scrape against your cornea and damage its surface. If, after removing the lens, you still feel something in your eye, or if you experience pain, redness or blurred vision, have your eye examined by your optician, contact lens specialist or ophthalmologist on the same day.
A superficial scratch on the cornea often feels like grit and usually clears up within a day if you don’t wear lenses. Symptoms that actually worsen are a different matter: if the pain increases, your eye becomes redder or your vision deteriorates, do not wait. In the meantime, do not insert a new lens, as an irritated or damaged cornea is more susceptible to infection. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are normal, read about what you can do yourself if you experience symptoms. If your lens has torn, make sure you find absolutely all the pieces, as any fragment left behind can continue to cause irritation.
What does your optician or contact lens specialist do when you visit?
Your specialist will examine your eye using a slit lamp, a microscope with a narrow beam of light. This allows them to see whether the lens is still there and whether the surface of the eye has been damaged. Your eyelid is often gently turned back during this examination. If the lens is no longer in place, you will be given advice on rest, aftercare and when you can start wearing lenses again.
Take your lens case, your lens solution and, if possible, the lens in question or any fragments with you to your appointment. This will give your specialist a complete picture. The optometrist or contact lens specialist will examine your eye and check whether the cornea is damaged. If there is a more serious issue, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist. If you cannot see your own optician straight away, find a stockist nearby. If you experience increasing pain, a sharp decline in vision or severe sensitivity to light outside opening hours, do not wait – call the out-of-hours GP service. This will ensure your eye receives the correct assessment in good time.
Is your eye still red or sore, or can’t you find the lens? Discuss any symptoms with your optician or ophthalmologist. Find a stockist near you.
This information is of a general nature and is not a substitute for personal advice. If you have any concerns or are in any doubt, please consult your contact lens specialist, optician or (eye) doctor.
Frequently asked questions about losing a contact lens in your eye
Could a lens be lodged under my eyelid without me realising?
You’ll usually feel if a lens has slipped out of place, but a thin, soft lens may temporarily feel barely noticeable. If you continue to feel a slight gritty sensation, have your eye examined. Your optician can lift your eyelid and assess the surface of your eye. A lens lying beneath the upper eyelid does not always exert enough pressure to be really noticeable, especially if it remains moist. Nevertheless, it often gives a vague sensation that there is something in your eye. If that sensation persists after you have checked and moistened your eye, do not assume it will go away on its own. A quick check will provide certainty and prevent a lens from remaining undetected.
Can I use tweezers to search inside my eye?
No. Lens tweezers are designed to pick up lenses from outside the eye, for example from the lens case. If you use tweezers inside your eye, you could damage your cornea. Only use your clean fingers or leave it to your specialist. The cornea is delicate, and a hard or sharp object can cause a scratch or deeper damage that is painful and prone to infection. You don’t need any tools to locate a displaced contact lens; gently blinking, moistening your eye and lifting your eyelid with clean fingers works better and is safer. If this doesn’t work, that’s when you should consult your optician rather than reaching for tools.
Can I use a contact lens suction device?
A suction device is designed for rigid gas-permeable lenses and should only be used following instructions from your specialist. Never use it on a soft lens and never use it to search inside your eye. Ask your specialist to demonstrate how to use it once. A suction device is designed to remove a rigid gas-permeable lens that is already clearly visible on the eye, and this requires a steady hand and correct positioning. A suction device is not intended for soft lenses and may come into contact with the surface of the eye. Groping around in your eye with a suction device is therefore not recommended. If you have rigid gas-permeable lenses and use a suction device, ask your specialist to demonstrate the technique so that you can use it safely and with confidence.
What if I only find half of my lens?
Assume that the other part may still be in your eye and continue searching after you’ve moistened your eye. If you can’t find it, have your eye examined the same day. Do not use the lens again. A torn lens can sometimes leave a small piece trapped under an eyelid, and that fragment may continue to cause a gritty sensation without you being able to pinpoint exactly where it is. Moisten your eye with a sterile solution and gently move your eye in all directions to help the loose piece move towards the centre. If a fragment remains untraceable or you continue to feel a grating sensation, a check-up with a slit lamp will provide a definitive answer. In the meantime, do not insert a new lens into that eye.
Can a lens remain in my eye even though I think I’ve taken it out?
It does happen, especially if you’re in a hurry or taking them out in the dark. If you’re unsure, look in the mirror whilst moving your eye and count the lenses in the case. If you’re still unsure, a quick check will give you certainty. Sometimes, when removing a lens, it doesn’t actually slip out of your eye but slides under an eyelid, whilst you assume it’s in the case. By counting your lenses in the case, you’ll know if one is missing. If you later notice a blurred sensation or slight irritation in that eye, take it seriously. A quick check with your optician is better than walking around for days with an unnoticed lens.
Can I rinse my eye with tap water?
No. Tap water is not sterile and may contain micro-organisms that can infect the cornea, including Acanthamoeba. Use a sterile solution that is intended for use in the eye, as per the instructions for use. It may seem logical to rinse your eye briefly under the tap, but tap water in particular poses a risk that you cannot see. Acanthamoeba is a microorganism that can be found in tap water and can cause a persistent corneal infection. Lenses and water are also a bad combination. You should therefore keep a sterile saline solution to hand for moistening your eye and loosening a lens, and avoid using tap water.
Why does my eye still feel as if there’s something in it?
A lens that has slipped out of place can cause a small superficial scratch on the cornea, which feels like grit. Usually, that sensation subsides within a day of not wearing lenses. If it persists or is accompanied by pain, have it checked. The cornea is rich in nerve endings, so even a small scratch causes a distinct sensation of something being in your eye. Such superficial damage often heals quickly if you give your eye a rest and do not wear contact lenses. If the gritty sensation does not subside, or if redness, pain or blurred vision develop, there may be a more serious issue. In that case, have your eye examined the same day and wait to wear contact lenses until you’ve received advice.
Can a displaced lens damage my cornea?
A lens that slips or tears can irritate or damage the surface of the cornea. Such damage often heals quickly, but it provides a gateway for bacteria. It is therefore advisable to have your eyes checked if the symptoms persist. The cornea has a smooth protective layer, and an abrasive or frayed lens can cause superficial damage to that layer. In most cases, such damage heals quickly if you give your eye a rest. The main risk lies in the interim period, as a damaged surface is more susceptible to infection. You should therefore watch out for increasing pain, redness, sensitivity to light or discharge, and have your eye examined if these symptoms do not subside quickly. Do not insert a new lens until your eye feels comfortable.
Can I put a recovered lens back in straight away?
Not with daily disposable lenses. With monthly or rigid gas-permeable lenses, first clean, rinse and disinfect the lens according to the instructions for use, and check it for tears. If your eye still feels irritated, wait before wearing lenses again. A lens that has slipped across your eye has come into contact with tears and sometimes with your fingers, so a full care routine is required before you wear it again. Check the lens carefully for frayed edges or tears; do not use a damaged lens. If you’re not sure how to insert the lens correctly, read the step-by-step guide on how to insert contact lenses. If your eye still feels sore, give it a rest by wearing glasses first.
What should I do if a large or scleral lens slips out of place?
Scleral lenses rest on the white of the eye and move differently to standard lenses. Follow the instructions you were given during your fitting and only use the tool prescribed for this purpose, such as a scleral lens suction device. If you’re unable to remove it, please contact your specialist. A scleral lens is larger and rests on the white of the eye rather than on the cornea, which means removing it requires a specific technique. During your fitting appointment, your specialist will teach you how to remove such a lens safely and which tool to use. Only use that tool as demonstrated. If the lens is stuck or you cannot remove it, do not force it and contact your contact lens specialist.
