A contact lens should come out easily. If it does not, the answer is rarely to pinch harder or keep trying until your eye feels sore. A calm approach, clean hands and the right technique make all the difference. Here is how to remove contact lenses comfortably, whether you wear soft daily lenses, reusable lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses.
Before you remove your contact lenses
Start by washing and drying your hands thoroughly. Soap, hand cream, cooking oils and tiny fibres from a towel can all transfer to a lens or irritate the eye. Use a lint-free towel where possible, and avoid heavily perfumed soaps before handling lenses.
Stand in front of a well-lit mirror. If you are new to lenses, it can help to put a clean tissue over the plughole or work over a clear surface, particularly if you wear reusable lenses. Looking straight ahead rather than tipping your head back too far gives you better control.
If your eyes feel dry after a long day at a screen, in heated rooms or during hay fever season, use contact lens-compatible lubricating drops first. Wait a moment before trying again. A dry lens can cling to the front of the eye, while a well-lubricated lens usually moves more freely.
How to remove soft contact lenses
Most people wearing daily disposable or reusable soft lenses use a simple pinch method. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but it soon becomes routine.
The gentle pinch method
With your non-dominant hand, hold your upper eyelid securely against the brow so you cannot blink. Use the middle finger of your other hand to pull down the lower lid. Keep looking up, then place the pad of your index finger on the lower edge of the lens and slide it down onto the white of your eye.
Once the lens is below the coloured part of the eye, gently bring your thumb and index finger together to pinch it out. Use the soft pads of your fingers, not your nails. The lens should fold slightly and lift away without discomfort.
For the other eye, repeat the same process. It is sensible to remove the same lens first each time, such as the right lens, especially if your prescriptions differ. This reduces the risk of mixing them up.
If you wear daily disposable lenses, throw them away after removal. Never rinse and reuse them. If you wear fortnightly or monthly lenses, clean and store them exactly as advised by your optometrist and the lens manufacturer. Fresh solution each time matters – topping up old solution is not enough.
If you struggle to pinch the lens
Some people find it easier to use a two-finger approach. Hold both eyelids open, look ahead, and gently press the upper and lower eyelids together at the outer corner of the eye. This can encourage the lens to loosen or fold out. It is not suitable for everyone, but it can be useful if you have difficulty reaching the lens directly.
Long nails, shaky hands, arthritis or reduced finger sensation can make lens removal trickier. In that case, a contact lens practitioner can show you an adapted technique and discuss whether a different lens type or wearing schedule would be more comfortable for you.
Removing rigid gas permeable contact lenses
Rigid gas permeable lenses, sometimes called RGP or hard lenses, need a different method. They are smaller and hold their shape, so do not try to pinch them like a soft lens.
Hold the upper and lower lids firmly open, with particular attention to the outer corner of the eyelids. Look straight ahead, then pull the outer corner of your eyelids towards your ear. Blink firmly or press the lids together gently. The lens should pop onto a clean hand held beneath the eye.
Some wearers use a small suction remover supplied or recommended by their practitioner. This should only be used after you have been shown the correct technique. A rigid lens that is repeatedly difficult to remove deserves a review, as the fit, your tear film or the condition of the lens may need attention.
What if the contact lens feels stuck?
A lens cannot disappear behind your eye. The inside of your eyelid forms a barrier, so even if a lens has moved, it is still on the surface of the eye or tucked beneath an eyelid.
First, stop rubbing. Rubbing can make redness worse, scratch the surface of the eye or cause a lens to fold. Add preservative-free lubricating drops that are suitable for contact lenses, close your eye for a few seconds, then blink normally. For a soft lens, look in the opposite direction to where you think it has moved and gently massage the eyelid to guide it back towards the centre.
If a soft lens has dried on the eye, use more drops and give them time to work. Do not use tap water, saliva or homemade saline. These are not sterile and can expose the eye to infection.
Take a short break if you are becoming frustrated. Repeated attempts can leave the eye dry and tender, which makes removal harder rather than easier. If you still cannot remove the lens, contact your optometrist for advice. At Mark Darling Eyecare & Opticians, we would always rather help you promptly than have you continue struggling at home.
When to seek urgent advice
Remove your lenses and seek urgent professional advice if you have significant pain, increasing redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that does not clear after lens removal, discharge, or a feeling that something is scratching your eye. These symptoms can indicate more than simple dryness and should not be ignored.
Do not put a lens back in after an eye infection, injury or unexplained irritation until you have been advised it is safe to do so. If a lens tears during removal, check carefully that all pieces have come out. If you are unsure, arrange an assessment rather than trying to sweep around the eye with a finger.
It is also worth speaking to your optometrist if lenses frequently feel tight by the end of the day. The cause might be dry eye, a change in prescription, longer screen time, medication, seasonal allergies or a lens material that no longer suits your eyes. Contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all, and small changes can make wearing them far more comfortable.
Small habits that make removal easier
Removing lenses before sleep is one of the simplest ways to protect your eye health. Unless you have specifically been prescribed lenses for overnight wear, sleeping in them reduces oxygen reaching the cornea and increases the chance of irritation and infection.
Try to remove your lenses before taking off make-up. Mascara, eyeliner and make-up remover can leave residue on the lens and make it harder to handle. If you use hairspray or aerosol deodorant, put your lenses in before using them and keep your eyes closed during application.
Keep a spare pair of glasses with you, especially for long working days, travel or evenings out. They give your eyes a break when lenses begin to feel dry, and they mean you are never tempted to wear lenses longer than recommended.
If you are learning to wear lenses for the first time, allow yourself a little patience. The goal is not to rush through removal but to develop a safe, repeatable routine. With clean hands, a light touch and the right support when you need it, taking your lenses out should become just another comfortable part of your day.