If you believe a contact lens is still in your eye but you can't immediately see it, focus on carefully checking specific areas and using simple flushing techniques.
Locating a Lost Contact Lens
Sometimes a contact lens can shift or get stuck under an eyelid, making it feel like it has disappeared. However, it's highly unlikely for a lens to get lost behind the eye. It's almost always still on the surface of the eye or tucked under an eyelid.
Based on recommendations, here are the key steps to take when searching for a seemingly lost contact lens in your eye:
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding a Contact Lens
- Check the Junction Area: First, carefully check the area of your eye where the colored (iris) and white (sclera) parts meet. The lens might have simply shifted to the edge of the iris.
- Inspect the Upper Eyelid: If you still can't locate it by looking directly, try flipping your upper eyelid inside out. This is a common place for a lens to get stuck. You can do this gently by looking down, grasping your upper eyelid lashes, and pulling the lid up and back over a cotton swab or your finger.
- Flush with Saline: If you find the lens stuck, or if you still can't see it after checking the lid, use saline drops to flush it out. Artificial tears or contact lens rewetting drops can also help lubricate the eye and potentially float the lens to a more visible area or out of the eye.
- Check the Lower Eyelid: Also, gently pull down your lower eyelid and look upwards to check if the lens is sitting there.
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eye. If you experience significant pain, redness, or vision changes, or if you still cannot locate the lens after trying these methods, it's best to consult an eye care professional.
Applying these steps can help you systematically search the most common places a contact lens might hide if it's still in your eye.
