Common reasons why contact lenses get stuck?
If you are here seeking to find out the common reasons why contact lenses get stuck, then look at the pointers listed below:
- Improper handling
Dislodgment may occur if you apply too much pressure on your eyes with your eye fingers or by rubbing your eyes too strongly.
- Poor lens care
Improper cleaning or storage can cause the contact lenses to get dirty or infected with bacteria, making them stuck to the frame.
- Dry eyes
This is accompanied by the lenses sticking to the eye during dehydration since they become less flexible and hence very hard to remove which is why there is not enough natural elasticity.
- Clogged tear ducts
If the ducts fall out then it will be very difficult to take out the contact lens as tears start to accumulate and remain there beneath the lens.
- Incorrect lens size or shape
If the lens doesn’t fit accurately, one might complicate the task of removing it.
- Eye infection or irritation
In case of red eyes inflammation or infection the eye generally becomes red and swollen. This will make it difficult to remove the lens.
- Lens curvature
The lens might jump if the lens angle is not altered to fit your eye.
- Lens material
For some vendors, soft lenses are more vulnerable to getting stuck than other materials.
How can I prevent contact lenses from getting stuck in the first place?
To prevent contact lenses from getting stuck, there are several precautions you can take:
- Don’t sleep in your lenses for too long
Sleeping overnight with contact lenses in place can cause them to get stuck underneath eyelashes. If you have to use contacts while you sleep, keep up with their basic care and maintenance.
- Use a clean and dry contact lens case
It is vital to disinfect your contact lens case thoroughly and keep it dry because these environments can favor bacteria growth, which may cause the lenses to get stuck. The best hygiene practice is to wash your hands with soap and water daily to dry naturally.
- Use lubricants
Splash some solution or lubricants on your lens once you wear it or take it off so that you can minimize friction which is a factor that the lens tends to get stuck.
- Use the right cleaning solution
The special solution your eye doctor advises should be used to clean and disinfect your lenses. The wrong method can cause the glasses to be jammed.
- Avoid using too much force
Remember to apply a slight pressure during touching lenses. This is causing windows to drop and break.
- Keep your eyes clean
Clean your eyes with saline solution or one prescribed by your doctor using rubbing the eyes daily to stop debris and lenses from getting into your eyes.
- Handle your lenses with care
While wearing your lenses, always take care of them by trying not to drag them roughly on your face. This can avoid fingers that may create hard-to-remove or insert lenses.
- Avoid sleeping with your contact lenses
If you sleep with contact lenses, you have a higher chance of your eyes getting infected by them. If you stay in your lenses, then it’s crucial to clean them before and apply the wetting solution to avoid them drying out.
- Avoid touching the surface of your lenses
You risk your lenses getting and staying stuck if there are fingerprints and other marks on the surface. So, to prevent that, try to touch the surface as rarely as possible.
Are there any risks or dangers associated with forcefully removing stuck contact lenses?
Attempting to remove a stuck contact lens forcibly can pose several risks and dangers, including
- Eye injury
Using force to remove and unclog lenses could result in scratches, abrasions, and puncture wounds all over the sclera and cornea.
- Infection
Attempting lens removal might worsen the initial injury site. The injury could deteriorate into a bacterial infection or other microbial contamination.
- Corneal ulcer
Wearing a denture or inserting it into the eye for a long period erodes the corneal surface and leads to corneal ulcers and open sores on the cornea. This results in pain ranging from mild to severe, swelling of the eye, and, eventually, blindness.
- Vision loss
If the repair of the dislodged lens is delayed, the destruction of the cornea and retina might occur, and visual ability can be lost, or blindness can occur.
- Scarring
It can be damaged or rusted if the laser is used on the eye tissue where the lens is located during its removal, causing cornea scarring and distortion of its natural characteristics.
- Increased risk of eye discomfort
The use of the first and its last in the sentence needs to capture the actual meaning of the sentence better. The patient’s condition will only worsen when a failed attempt is made to remove the stuck contact lens.
- Damage to the surrounding tissues
The usage of force carried out from the ocular bulb lens is extremely dangerous; the eyelids are not the only area which may be injured, the conjunctiva or even the nerves may be affected by this.
- Delayed removal
While, if the contact lens is not removed as soon as possible, the person will be more uncomfortable and the possibility of getting infected will increase as well. Similarly, disparate effects may occur as well.
What should I do if I cannot remove my contact lenses?
If you are unable to remove your contact lenses on your own, there are several steps you can take:
- Try using a lubricating eye drop
Gentle eye medications soften the lens to help it be removed more easily.
- Use a contact lens remover
They are created to dissolve the contacts. You can get them at pharmacies as well. Always follow the given instructions to maintain the health of your eyes and lenses.
- See an eye doctor
You must see a doctor if you experience difficulty in taking your contact lenses because medical attention is required. An ophthalmologist may advise the safe removal of the eye lenses using specialized tools and perform any additional treatments if necessary.
- Avoid pulling or stretching
During your contact lens removal, ensure you do not pull or stretch them, as that can damage the lens or your eye. Alternatively, use a soft, rotary motion to rotate the lens out of your eye and remove it that way.
- Consider temporary contact lens removal
If you experience difficulties removing the contact lenses often, you may turn to a sporadic contact lens and not wear it for a few days to give your eyes a break. This may reduce your discomfort and help you to rejuvenate your eyes.
How can I properly care for my eyes after successfully removing a stuck contact lens?
- The eyes are cleaned with water and dirt or bacteria that might have been attached when the lens was motionless.
- If you can reach your eye, carefully wash your lens with a saline solution or the cleaner that came with your contact lenses. Dry it completely before you put it back into your eye.
- Note that you should not rub your eyes or dirty the glass surface of your contact lenses with your fingers because you could get inflammations and infections this way.
- Proper cleaning and correct storage of your lens case reduced the growth of bacteria and the keeping of good hygiene.
- You need to ask your optometrist during your next visit to double-check if the glasses are fine and if they do not have any signs of wear and tear.
- If the old lens complains, your eye itches, and you cannot see with the lens removed, you should replace it with a new one.
