How to Take Out Contacts: Step by Step Instructions

The pinch method is one of the most popular techniques for removing soft contact lenses because it gives you good control. Start by looking up at the ceiling while pulling your lower eyelid down gently with your middle finger. Use your other hand to hold your upper eyelid open to prevent blinking.

Using the pad of your index finger, slide the contact lens down onto the white part of your eye below your pupil. Then gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger to lift it off your eye. The lens should fold slightly and come away easily without discomfort. Use only fingertip pads and keep nails away from the lens to avoid scratches or tears.

The slide method works well if you find pinching difficult or uncomfortable. After washing your hands, look to the side opposite the eye you are working on, which helps expose more of the white part of your eye.

• Place your index finger on the outer edge of the contact lens
• Slide the lens gently toward the outer corner of your eye
• The lens will begin to fold and move off the cornea
• Grasp the edge of the folded lens and lift it away from your eye
• Use the pads of your fingers only and keep nails away from the lens and eye

RGP lenses are firmer than soft lenses and require a slightly different approach. We recommend placing one finger at the outer corner of your eye and gently pulling the skin toward your ear while your eye is open wide.

Lean forward over a clean towel or your cupped hand, then blink firmly. The lens should pop out into your hand or onto the towel. Some patients find it helpful to use both hands, pulling the upper and lower eyelids toward the outer corner simultaneously to create gentle pressure that releases the lens. This technique is for corneal RGP lenses. Scleral lenses require a different method and a larger suction tool to break the edge seal. Avoid rubbing your eye if the lens does not release; use a clean GP removal plunger or contact us for guidance.

Contact lens removal tools (plungers) are for rigid lenses such as RGP and scleral lenses. Do not use them on soft lenses.

Moisten the plunger with sterile saline or a drop that is safe for use with contacts. For corneal RGP lenses, you may touch the center of the lens and lift gently. For scleral lenses, place the plunger slightly off-center near the lens edge to break the seal, then tilt and lift. Do not use hydrogen peroxide disinfecting solution on the tool. Clean the plunger after use per manufacturer instructions, let it air dry, never share it, and replace it periodically.

We suggest removing the contact lens from the same eye first every single time you take out your lenses. This habit helps prevent accidentally mixing up your right and left contact lenses, which is particularly important if your prescription differs between eyes.

Many eye care professionals recommend starting with your right eye if you are right-handed, but the most important thing is consistency. Once you establish a routine, you will be less likely to confuse your lenses or forget which eye still has a contact in it. Keep your case labeled L and R to avoid mix-ups.

Long fingernails require extra care to avoid scratching your eye or tearing your contact lens. We recommend using the pads of your fingers rather than the tips, keeping your nails parallel to your eye surface rather than pointing toward it.

• The pinch method often works better than the slide method with long nails
• Keep your fingernails smooth and filed to prevent snags
• Consider a contact lens removal tool as a safer alternative
• Position your fingers so your nails face away from your eye and cornea
• Do not use tweezers or sharp tools near your eye or lenses

Water exposure while wearing contact lenses poses infection risks and requires prompt action to protect your eyes.

• Remove lenses promptly after swimming, showering, or hot tub use
• Clean and disinfect reusable lenses before reinsertion or discard daily disposables
• If you develop pain, redness, light sensitivity, or blurred vision after water exposure, keep lenses out and seek same-day care

Contact lens-related eye infections are rare but serious and require immediate attention. Remove your contact lenses right away if you notice increasing redness, eye pain, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, or discharge that looks yellow or green.

• Your vision becomes blurry or hazy even after blinking and using drops
• Your eye feels like something is stuck in it even when your lens is out
• You see a white or gray spot on your cornea when looking in the mirror
• Your eyelids swell or your eye waters constantly
• Symptoms develop quickly and worsen over hours rather than days
• If our office is closed, seek urgent care or an emergency department the same day. Do not reinsert your lenses and, if possible, bring your lenses and case with you

While some minor discomfort is common during contact lens wear, significant pain is never normal. If you experience sharp, stabbing, or severe aching pain in your eye, remove your contact lens immediately and do not reinsert it.

Pain that continues or worsens after you take out your lens may indicate a corneal abrasion, ulcer, or other injury requiring urgent care. We need to examine your eye as soon as possible to determine the cause and start appropriate treatment. Avoid rubbing your eye, which can make injuries worse. If after hours, seek urgent care the same day.

Your vision should be clear and stable when wearing properly fitted contact lenses with the correct prescription. Sudden blurriness, double vision, or vision loss while wearing contacts warrants immediate lens removal and a call to our office.

These symptoms might result from a lens that has moved out of position, torn, or turned inside out, but they could also signal more serious problems like corneal swelling, inflammation, or infection. Do not wait to see if the problem resolves on its own, especially if the vision changes affect only one eye or came on quickly. If after hours, seek urgent care the same day and keep lenses out.

Mild redness after a long day of contact lens wear may occur occasionally, but it should resolve within an hour or two after removing your lenses. Redness that lasts longer, affects only one eye, or comes with sticky discharge or crusting around your eyelashes needs professional evaluation.

Discharge that looks white, yellow, or green rather than clear often indicates an infection, while watery discharge with redness may suggest allergic irritation or other inflammation. Either way, keep your contacts out and reach out to our office for guidance. Continued lens wear when your eyes show these warning signs can lead to more serious complications.