What to Do If a Contact Folds in Your Eye

If a contact folds in your eye, the most important first step is to remain calm. Gently remove the lens as soon as possible, ensuring your hands are meticulously clean to prevent irritation or infection, and never force the lens out. For more on this, see our guide to 10 Colored Contact Looks for Every Personality.

Understanding Why a Contact Folds in Your Eye

Experiencing a contact folded in your eye can be unsettling, but it's a relatively common occurrence. Several factors can contribute to a contact lens folding, tearing, or getting dislodged in your eye. Understanding these can help you prevent it from happening again.

Common Reasons for a Folded Contact:

• Dry Eyes: When your eyes are dry, the lens can lose its moisture and become less pliable, increasing the likelihood of it sticking to itself or folding.
• Rubbing Your Eyes: Vigorously rubbing your eyes, especially with dry hands, can easily dislodge and fold a soft contact lens.
• Improper Insertion/Removal: If a lens isn't fully centered or if you're not gentle during insertion or removal, it can fold upon itself.
• Foreign Objects: Dust, an eyelash, or other debris entering your eye can cause irritation, making you rub your eye, or directly pushing the lens to fold.
• Lens Damage: A torn or damaged lens is more prone to folding or breaking apart in your eye. Always inspect your lenses before insertion.
• Sleeping with Lenses: Wearing lenses overnight, especially if they are not designed for extended wear, can dry them out and make them more susceptible to folding or sticking.

Immediate Steps: How to Safely Remove a Folded Contact Lens

When you have a contact folded in your eye, the key is a gentle, methodical approach. Follow these steps carefully to minimize discomfort and prevent injury.

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: This is the absolute first and most critical step. Use soap and water, and dry your hands with a lint-free towel. This prevents introducing bacteria or irritants into your eye.
2. Determine the Lens Position: Look into a mirror. Can you see the folded contact? Is it still on the cornea (the clear front part of your eye) or has it moved under your eyelid?
3. Lubricate Your Eye: If your eye feels dry or the lens seems stuck, use a few drops of sterile saline solution or rewetting drops specifically designed for contact lenses. Blink several times. This helps rehydrate the lens, making it more pliable and easier to move. Wait a minute or two for the drops to work.
4. Gentle Manipulation (If Visible):
   • If the lens is on your cornea: Gently look up, down, and side to side. Sometimes, this movement alone can cause the lens to unfold or move to a more accessible position.
   • If the lens is folded but visible: With clean fingertips, very gently try to slide the lens towards the white part of your eye (sclera). Once it's off the sensitive cornea, it's often easier to unfold or remove.
5. Locating a Hidden Lens (If Not Immediately Visible):
   • Upper Eyelid: Look down and gently pull your upper eyelid up and out. You might see the lens or feel it.
   • Lower Eyelid: Look up and gently pull your lower eyelid down. The lens often moves into this area.
6. Removal Technique:
   • The "Pinch" Method: Once the lens is accessible, gently pinch it between your thumb and index finger. If it's folded, try to grasp it at the edges.
   • The "Slide" Method: If pinching is difficult, you can try to gently slide the lens to the outer corner of your eye and then lift it off.
7. Do NOT Force It: If the lens doesn't come out easily or causes pain, stop. Forcing it can scratch your cornea. Repeat the lubrication step and try again after a brief pause. If repeated attempts are unsuccessful, it's time to seek professional help.

What to Do After Removing a Folded Contact Lens

Once you've successfully removed the contact folded in your eye, it's crucial to assess both the lens and your eye to ensure no damage has occurred.

Inspect the Lens

• Is it Torn or Damaged? Carefully examine the lens. If it's torn, ripped, or has any nicks, it must be discarded immediately. Never reinsert a damaged lens, as it can cause significant irritation or scratch your eye.
• Is it Intact? If the lens is perfectly intact and simply folded, you might be tempted to clean and reinsert it. However, it's generally safer to discard it and use a fresh, sterile lens, especially if you struggled to remove it or suspect any contamination.

Inspect Your Eye

• Check for Redness or Irritation: Look in the mirror. Is your eye unusually red? Does it feel scratchy, painful, or does it burn?
• Vision Changes: Is your vision blurry or compromised in any way after removal?
• Persistent Foreign Body Sensation: Do you still feel like something is in your eye, even after the lens is out? This could indicate a corneal abrasion (scratch) or that a small piece of the lens broke off.

If you experience any persistent discomfort, significant redness, pain, or vision changes, contact your eye care professional immediately. Do not attempt to wear contact lenses in that eye until you've been examined. If you're weighing options, our roundup of 10 Tips for First-Time Colored Contact Wearers is a good next read.

Preventing a Contact Folded Eye in the Future

Prevention is always better than cure. By adopting good habits and using quality lenses, you can significantly reduce the chances of a contact folded in your eye.

Best Practices for Contact Lens Wearers:

1. Proper Insertion and Removal Technique: Always follow the instructions provided by your eye care professional. Ensure your hands are clean and dry. When inserting, make sure the lens is correctly oriented (not inside out). When removing, be gentle and avoid excessive pressure.
2. Keep Your Eyes Hydrated: Use rewetting drops throughout the day, especially if you work in dry environments or spend a lot of time on screens. Blinking regularly also helps keep your eyes moist. For quality lenses that prioritize comfort and hydration, explore options at MyEyeColors.
3. Regular Eye Exams: Annual eye exams are essential. Your eye care professional will check your prescription, eye health, and ensure your lenses fit properly. A correctly fitted lens is less likely to fold or dislodge. Remember, colored contacts are medical devices and require a valid prescription.
4. Adhere to Wear Schedule and Hygiene: Never wear lenses longer than recommended (e.g., daily disposables past one day). Always clean and store reusable lenses properly using fresh solution. Never use tap water.
5. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: If your eyes itch or feel irritated, try using rewetting drops instead of rubbing. If irritation persists, remove your lenses.
6. Always Have a Backup: Keep a pair of glasses or spare contact lenses handy. If a lens folds or gets damaged, you'll have an immediate replacement.

At MyEyeColors, we emphasize the importance of proper lens care and hygiene to ensure a comfortable and safe experience with your colored contact lenses. Browse our selection of vibrant and comfortable lenses, but always remember to consult your eye care professional for fitting and prescription needs: Shop MyEyeColors.

When to See an Eye Care Professional

While most folded contact lens situations can be resolved at home, there are times when professional medical attention is necessary. Do not hesitate to contact your eye doctor if you experience any of the following: You might also like our take on 12 Colored Contact Questions Answered for Beginners.

• Persistent Pain or Discomfort: If your eye continues to hurt, feel scratchy, or is extremely uncomfortable even after the lens is removed.
• Significant Redness: If your eye remains very red for an extended period after the incident.
• Vision Changes: Any new or worsening blurry vision, light sensitivity, or discharge from the eye.
• Feeling of a Foreign Body: If you still feel like something is in your eye, even though you've removed the lens. This could indicate a corneal abrasion or a retained piece of the lens.
• Inability to Remove the Lens: If you've tried the gentle removal methods multiple times and cannot get the folded contact out.
• Signs of Infection: Symptoms like pus, swelling, increasing pain, or fever.

These symptoms could indicate a corneal scratch or an infection, both of which require prompt medical evaluation and treatment to prevent more serious complications.

Key Takeaways

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or contact lenses.
• Use rewetting drops to lubricate your eye and the folded contact lens before attempting removal.
• Employ gentle, methodical techniques to slide or pinch out the folded lens; never force it.
• Discard any contact lens that appears torn, damaged, or if you struggled significantly to remove it.
• Prioritize eye health: If discomfort, redness, or vision changes persist, consult an eye care professional.
• Prevent future incidents by practicing proper lens hygiene, following wear schedules, and getting regular eye exams for a correct fit and prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a contact lens get lost behind my eye?

No, anatomically, it's impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye. The conjunctiva, a membrane lining your eyelids and covering the white part of your eye, forms a barrier that prevents anything, including a contact lens, from going behind the eyeball. A folded contact might move under your eyelid, but it will always remain accessible.

Is it safe to wear a contact lens after it folds in my eye?

It is generally not recommended to reinsert a contact lens that has folded in your eye, especially if you struggled to remove it. Even if it appears intact, it might have microscopic tears, accumulated debris, or could have been contaminated during the removal process. It's safest to discard the folded lens and use a fresh, sterile one.

How do I know if my eye is scratched after a folded contact incident?

Symptoms of a scratched eye (corneal abrasion) after a contact folded in your eye include persistent pain, a feeling like something is still in your eye, excessive tearing, redness, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. If you experience these symptoms, remove any contact lenses and contact your eye care professional immediately for an examination.

What if I can't get the folded contact out of my eye?

If you've tried lubricating your eye and gently manipulating the lens multiple times without success, or if you're experiencing significant pain, stop trying to remove it yourself. Prolonged attempts can cause more irritation or damage. Contact your eye care professional or visit an urgent care clinic immediately to have them safely remove the lens.

Can wearing colored contacts increase the chance of a contact folded eye?

No, wearing colored contacts from reputable brands like MyEyeColors does not inherently increase the chance of a contact folding in your eye, provided they are properly fitted and you follow all hygiene and wear instructions. The material and design are similar to clear lenses. However, any contact lens, if not handled correctly or if your eyes are dry, can fold. Always ensure your colored contacts are prescribed by an eye care professional and handled with clean hands.