The Truth About Lost Contact Lenses in Your Eye: What You Need to Know

Lost your contact lens in your eye and panicked? You're definitely not alone. A shocking case made headlines when doctors found 27 disposable contact lenses in a 65-year-old British woman's eyes back in 2017. This news terrified contact lens wearers everywhere.

The good news? Your contact lens can't actually get stuck "behind" your eyeball. Your eye's natural structure, including orbital tissue and conjunctiva, creates a barrier that stops objects from sliding behind the eye. A contact lens might hide under your eyelid or stick to your eye's surface, making it hard to find.

Looking to deal with a lost contact lens? This piece explains why this happens and shows you how to safely find and remove a stuck lens. You'll also learn ways to prevent this uncomfortable situation. Most people can get their stuck lens out within 10 to 15 minutes with the right approach and some patience.

What It Feels Like to Have a Contact Lens Lost in Your Eye

Learning to spot a lost contact lens in your eye is a vital step to fix the problem quickly and comfortably. You'll usually know something's wrong right away, though you might feel different sensations based on where the lens has moved.

Blurry vision or discomfort

The first thing you'll notice is your affected eye's vision becomes blurry or distorted. This happens because the lens no longer sits properly on your cornea. The displaced lens works like a foggy window and makes everything look hazy.

On top of that, it might feel uncomfortable in a way that's sort of hard to get one's arms around. The feeling ranges from mild irritation to a burning sensation. Many people say something just feels "off" or "not quite right" before they realize their lens has moved.

A dried-out contact can become less flexible, especially when you have taken a nap with your lenses in or haven't taken proper care of them. The dry lens might stick right to your eyeball and keep bothering you until you take it out properly.

Feeling something under your eyelid

The most telling sign is that nagging feeling of something stuck under your eyelid. This gritty, foreign object sensation happens because your lens might have folded or ended up where it shouldn't be.

You'll notice it most when you blink as your eyelid moves across the out-of-place lens. People often describe a scratchy or sharp pain that comes and goes each time they blink. Rigid gas permeable lenses tend to cause more discomfort than soft contacts.

Pain or irritation might make it hard to open your eye completely. Your eyelid's movement makes the misplaced lens rub against your eye's sensitive tissues.

Redness or irritation

Your eye shows clear physical signs when a contact lens goes missing. Red, irritated eyes signal that something's wrong. Your eye's blood vessels expand because of the irritation from the displaced lens.

Your eyes might water as they try to wash away what they see as a foreign object. This natural defense helps protect your eye, but it usually can't move a stuck contact lens.

Professional help might be needed if your eyes stay red and swollen, as this could mean an infection or irritation. You might develop conditions like conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers if a stuck lens has hurt your eye or trapped bacteria under your eyelid.

Light sensitivity often shows up with these symptoms. Your irritated eye becomes more sensitive to light, and even normal indoor lighting might bother you.

These symptoms don't always mean you have a lost lens—sometimes the lens has fallen out and you're just feeling leftover irritation. In spite of that, knowing these signs helps you decide whether to look for a misplaced lens or get help from an eye doctor.

How to Check If the Contact Lens Is Still in Your Eye

A missing contact lens after removal can be scary. Your first step is figuring out if it's still in your eye. The good news? A contact lens can't go behind your eye, but it might be hiding somewhere unexpected.

Look in a mirror under good lighting

You need good visibility to find a misplaced lens. Start by washing your hands really well with soap and water - this keeps bacteria away from your irritated eye. Get in front of a mirror with bright light. A flashlight or phone light works great since contacts usually have a blue tint that shows up in light.

The best place to spot a displaced lens is where your iris (the colored part) meets the white part of your eye (sclera). Here's what to do:

1. Pull your lower eyelid down gently and check the whites and surrounding area
2. Look up, down, left, and right because these movements can make the lens visible
3. Use lubricating eye drops to see the lens better and feel more comfortable

Don't keep touching your eye if you can't find the lens right away. This will only make things worse.

Flip your eyelid carefully

Your "lost" lens might just be stuck under your eyelid. The eyelid flip sounds scary but it's easier than you'd think.

Here's how to check under your upper eyelid:

• Look down as far as you can to help bring the lens into view
• Hold your upper eyelashes gently and pull the lid slightly down and out
• Put a clean cotton swab horizontally at your eyelid crease
• Press down with the swab while pulling up on your lashes to flip the lid inside out

The lower lid check is simpler - just pull it down while looking up. If you find the lens under your eyelid, you might be able to take it out directly. Another option is to massage gently through your closed eyelid, working downward toward your cornea until the lens comes into view.

This process might feel strange, but it works well to find hidden lenses. Of course, flipping your own eyelid gets tricky when your eye already feels uncomfortable.

Ask someone to help you check

Since it's hard to see at certain angles by yourself, another person's help can be a great solution. They might spot something you missed, especially since you can't see well while looking down to expose the lens.

Before getting help, make sure:

• Your helper washes their hands well
• You have good lighting
• They know what to look for - a slightly tinted disk or folded piece of plastic

Your helper can hold your eyelids open while you look around in different directions. They can also help with the eyelid flip, which is much easier with an extra set of hands.

If you still can't find the lens after trying everything, or if your eye stays uncomfortable, you should see your eye doctor right away. They have special equipment to find and remove hidden lenses safely, which prevents problems that could happen if the lens stays displaced too long.

Safe Ways to Remove a Stuck or Lost Contact Lens

You've found that wandering contact lens in your eye - now comes the tricky part of getting it out safely. The right technique will protect your eyes from damage and infection while quickly ending your discomfort.

Use artificial tears or saline

Clean hands are crucial, so wash them really well with soap and water before you try anything. This keeps harmful bacteria away from your irritated eye.

Moisture becomes your greatest ally when dealing with a lost contact lens. Put a few drops of artificial tears, contact lens rewetting drops, or sterile saline solution right into your affected eye. These lubricants help make a dried-out lens more movable. Never use tap water because microorganisms might enter through tiny scratches and cause infection. You should also stay away from solutions with hydrogen peroxide as they can harm your eye.

Your lens might need several attempts and up to 15 minutes to become fully hydrated and movable. Stay patient during this process.

Blink repeatedly to move the lens

Your natural blinking can help distribute the moisture and move the lens after you've added lubricating drops. This simple action lets your eye's natural mechanisms work to your advantage.

Gravity can help especially when you look downward. Here's a quick method:

1. Look down toward the floor
2. Blink naturally and steadily
3. Continue until you feel the lens move

Your eyelid often catches the lens edge while blinking and moves it toward the front of your eye. The lens might reposition itself on the cornea, fold, or just fall out.

Massage the eyelid gently

A gentle massage can help dislodge a contact stuck under your eyelid. Close your eye and use your index finger to make circular motions on your upper eyelid until the lens starts moving [28, 39].

Look in the direction opposite to where you feel the lens. To cite an instance, see how looking downward helps when the lens sits under your upper eyelid. This opposing movement combined with massage often guides the lens back to where you can remove it.

Use a suction tool for hard lenses

Rigid gas-permeable (hard) contacts need different removal techniques. A small suction cup tool, known as a "DMV" found in drugstore eyecare sections, safely removes these stubborn lenses.

A suction tool works best when you:

• Moisten the cup with contact solution
• Place it on the lower third of the lens
• Apply gentle pressure until the lens sticks to the cup
• Pull slightly upward and away from the eye

Remember that suction tools are not compatible with soft contact lenses. Use this method only with rigid gas-permeable lenses.

Your eye doctor should check your eye if these techniques don't work within 15 minutes, or if you still feel discomfort or notice vision changes. Quick professional help prevents complications from a displaced lens.

What Not to Do When You Lose a Contact Lens

Your knowledge of what not to do is just as vital as knowing the right removal techniques when a contact lens gets lost in your eye. A simple inconvenience can turn into a serious eye injury if you handle it wrong.

Don't rub your eyes

Panic guides people to rub their eyes when they feel a contact lens out of place. This natural reaction can make things much worse. Your lens might fold or tear if you rub too hard, which makes it harder to remove. Eye care professionals often see patients with scratched corneas because they rubbed too much while looking for a lost lens.

Rubbing also creates friction that can push the lens deeper under your eyelid or make it stick more firmly to your eye's surface. You should try blinking slowly or using proper eye drops to help the lens move back into position naturally.

Avoid using tweezers or sharp tools

You might want to grab tweezers or other sharp tools to remove a stubborn contact lens. Don't do it! Eye doctors strongly warn against putting any sharp objects near your eyes. Even precise tools like tweezers can slip and scratch your cornea or cause worse eye damage.

Clean fingertips and freshly washed hands are your best tools. Note that touching your eyelid is much safer than touching your actual eyeball while looking for a lost lens.

Never insert another lens before removing the lost one

People make a very risky mistake by putting in a fresh contact lens while still looking for a lost one. This can scratch your cornea and trap the original lens even further.

Stacking lenses not only causes discomfort but also lets bacteria in and raises your risk of infection. If you think a lens is still in your eye but can't find it after a careful search, call your eye doctor right away instead of continuing with your normal routine.

Tips to Prevent Losing a Contact Lens Again

Stopping your contact lenses from moving is nowhere near as hard as trying to find a lost one. You can avoid losing contact lenses in your eyes by building a few daily habits.

Keep your eyes hydrated

Contact lenses can stick or move around when your eyes get dry. Your eye doctor can recommend the right rewetting drops made for contact lenses. Your body needs plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Blinking helps spread moisture across your eyes, so do it often - especially when you look at screens or digital devices.

Follow proper lens care routine

Clean your hands really well with soap and water before touching your contact lenses. The best way to clean lenses is the "rub and rinse" method, whatever solution you use. Always use fresh solution - never reuse or add new solution to old. Get a new contact lens case every 3 months or right away if it gets damaged. Tap water contains tiny organisms that can lead to serious infections, so never use it on your lenses.

Avoid sleeping in contacts

Your eye doctor must approve any overnight contact lens wear. The risk of getting a corneal infection jumps five times higher when you sleep with contacts in. This happens because your closed eyes limit oxygen flow and tear circulation that protect your cornea. Even sleeping with contacts once in a while raises your infection risk.

Check both eyes before inserting new lenses

Start with the same eye each time you put in or take out your lenses. This simple routine stops you from mixing up different prescriptions. Keep prescription glasses nearby for times when you can't wear contacts.

Conclusion

A lost contact lens can stress you out, but the right techniques make this common problem easier to handle. Your lens can't physically move behind your eye. However, it might hide under your eyelid or stick to unexpected spots on your eye's surface. A calm approach helps you find and remove the lens without causing any harm.

Good lighting, clean hands, and enough lubrication are your best tools to find and remove a wandering lens. Don't rub your eyes or use sharp tools - these mistakes can lead to complications. Your eye's natural defenses work great, but they need your patience and gentle help.

The quickest way to avoid lens displacement is prevention. You retain control by keeping proper lens hygiene, hydrated eyes, and sticking to your eye doctor's schedule. This dramatically cuts down your risk of lens issues. If you can't find or remove a lost lens after 15 minutes of careful tries, it's time to ask your eye care professional for help.

These tips and some practice will help you handle contact lens problems with confidence while protecting your eyes. After all, millions of people manage their contact lenses successfully each day—and you can too with the right know-how.