November 9, 2026
What Should You Do If a Contact Lens Tears in Your Eye?
Contact lenses can protect your eyes, but sometimes they can’t protect themselves. Sharp objects, forceful insertion, and handling already damaged lenses can break your corrective lenses, causing discomfort and often damaging your eyes. So, how do you safely remove them? What to avoid when they break? Let’s explore.
How to Safely Remove a Torn Contact Lens
Have torn contact lenses? Don’t panic. Removing them requires patience and gentle handling. Don’t rub your eyes, as broken lens pieces could get into your eyes. Keep calm and follow the steps below:
Wash and Dry Your Hands: Prevent transferring dirt and microorganisms.
Use Lubricating Eye Drops: Sterile, preservative-free lubricating eye drops to loosen the lens and improve comfort.
Blink Gently: To encourage the lens or its fragment to move into a more accessible position.
Remove Only Easily Accessible Pieces: As per your eye care professional's recommended removal technique.
Check Whether the Lens Is Intact: To see whether all its pieces are accounted for.
Avoid Reusing the Damaged Lens: Use a new, undamaged pair only when your eye feels comfortable
What Should You Avoid When a Contact Lens Breaks?
Discomfort from broken lenses can make you want to remove them immediately. However, using the wrong technique can damage your eyes. Here’s what you should avoid doing while removing the corrective lenses:
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: To prevent corneal damage
Do Not Use Sharp Objects: tweezers, fingernails, cotton swabs, or other tools
Do Not Pull Forcefully: Can cause discomfort and corneal injury.
Avoid Wearing the Damaged Lens Again: Uneven edges that irritate your eye.
Do Not Ignore Persistent Discomfort: Symptoms such as redness, pain, blurred vision, excessive tearing, or light sensitivity.
Avoid Using Unprescribed Eye Drops: leftover antibiotic, steroid, or redness-relief drops without professional advice.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor?
A torn contact lens can cause temporary discomfort or irritation. However, if your discomfort persists, see an ophthalmologist. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
Persistent Eye Pain: Ongoing pain or a sharp sensation after removing the damaged lens.
Continued Redness and Irritation: Redness with discomfort that does not improve
Blurred or Reduced Vision: Sudden changes in vision after contact lenses
Sensitivity to Light: Difficulty looking at bright lights or well-lit surroundings
Excessive Tearing or Discharge: Persistent watering or unusual discharge
Get Professional Contact Lens Care in Houston
Contact lenses can get damaged at any time. Knowing the proper removal technique and avoiding certain things is the key to safe removal. Consulting an eye doctor is essential if discomfort persists.
Are you looking for new contact lenses in Houston, TX, to replace your broken ones? At Focus Refined Eye Care, Dr. Bimal Patel provides personalized contact lens examinations and guidance. Focus Refined Eye Care helps patients make informed decisions about lens use and eye health. Schedule an appointment at Focus Refined Eye Care in Houston, TX.
FAQs
Can an eye doctor help remove a torn contact lens and check for corneal damage?
Yes, an eye doctor can effectively remove your broken contact lens and examine your eye for corneal and other damage. Follow the doctor's prescription and advice for follow-up treatment.
What types of glasses and lenses are best?
Dr. Patel typically recommends ZEISS lenses, which provide 100% protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. ZEISS is designed to block the light emitted from electronic devices.
Where can I book a contact lens examination in Houston, TX?
Book a contact lens examination at Focus Refined Eye Care in Houston, TX. Here, Dr. Bimal Patel provides personalized eye lens evaluations to help ensure proper fit and eye health.