How To Remove Contact Lenses

Many people wear contact lenses to improve their vision or just for fun. Sometimes it can be frustrating when we remove them. If you want your eye health to stay healthy then you should take precautions when removing your contacts each night. We’ve put together a guide to tell you how to remove your contact lenses so you can avoid any damage and keep your eyes healthy. 

Let’s Get Started

Remove your contacts as soon as you can after taking them out each night before you go to bed. Leaving the lenses in for long periods of time has been shown to cause damage and even infections that will lead to more problems with your eyesight or health. 

You should also never rub your eye when removing because that adds the chances of the lenses sticking onto your eyes for longer (and it can also be uncomfortable)!

Removing Your Contacts (pinch and pull method):

1. Ensure your hands are clean and dry with a lint-free towel!
2. We will begin by removing the contact lens on your right eye first. Lift the upper eyelid of your right eye with the fingers of your left hand and at the same time gently pinch the lens and pull them out. If you feel a bit of a tuck or it difficulty in getting the perfect grip, add some eye drops to the eye and try again in a few minutes 
3. Once you removed the first lens, repeat for the other eye

Removing your contact lenses (sliding method):

The pinching method is not for everyone but there is a different way that may be easier.

1. As usual, wash your hands and dry them with a lint-free towel
2. We will start with the right eyes! Reach over to the eye on the right with your left hand and pull the upper eyelid upwards (lift the lashes slightly if needed) 
3. Using the middle finger of your right hand, pull the lower eyelid down 
4. Look up to the ceiling and position your index finger at the bottom corner of the lens and gently apply pressure (to get the grip) and sweep the lens downwards. It may take several attempts but once the lens is dislodged, slowly move it to the whites of your eye and remove the lens with the pad of your finger
5. Repeat this for the other eye and now you are done

It is always important to ensure our eyes are moist as they can be uncomfortable the next day, especially for beginners. There are eye drops that are specially made for contact lens wearers. Visit your local pharmacists or opticians for their recommendations.