What to Do When Your Contact Lenses Break: A Step – by – Step Safety Guide

Finding out that your contact lens is broken can be scary, especially if you use them every day. Whether it has a torn edge, a crack, or a missing part, it’s really important to act quickly and safely to keep your eyes healthy. Here’s how you can deal with this situation and stop similar problems from happening in the future.

Immediate Actions

  1. Stop Using the Damaged Lens Right Away

Take out the broken lens immediately. This can prevent scratches on your eye, corneal abrasions, or infections. Even a small tear can trap bacteria or irritate your eye.

  • Check Your Eye for Lens Fragments

Gently look to see if there are any pieces of the lens left in your eye:

  1. Look up and pull down your lower eyelid.
    1. Use a clean mirror and a bright light to find any fragments.
    1. If you keep feeling uncomfortable, it’s likely that a fragment is stuck in your eye.
  2. Rinse Your Eye with Saline Solution

Flush your eye with preservative – free saline solution. Don’t use tap water because it can bring in microbes. Tilt your head and pour the solution across your eye to get rid of any particles.

How to Remove a Broken Lens Safely

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Use a silicone – tipped plunger (like a DMV Removal Tool) to carefully lift out the fragments.
  • Don’t use tweezers or your nails. They can scratch your cornea.

If you can’t remove the debris, go to an emergency eye care service right away. Waiting to get treatment can increase the risk of infection.

Why Do Contact Lenses Break?

Some common reasons are:

  • Dryness: Lenses get brittle and break easily. This often happens with Monthly Cosmetic Contact Lenses or weekly – wear lenses.
  • Improper Handling: Using your fingernails to touch the lenses or storing them in a damaged case.
  • Expired Lenses: As lenses get old, the material loses its flexibility.
  • Sleeping with Lenses On: This makes the lenses more dehydrated and fragile.

How to Prevent Lenses from Breaking in the Future

  • Keep your nails trimmed and handle lenses with your fingertips.
  • If your lenses feel dry, use rewetting drops to hydrate them.
  • Replace your lens case every 3 months to avoid cracks.
  • Switch to daily disposable lenses. According to FDA data, single – use lenses can lower the risk of tearing by 60%.

Temporary Replacements for Contact Lenses

While your eyes are healing:

  1. Wear your prescription glasses.
  2. Try using daily disposable lenses as a short – term solution.
  3. Ask your eye doctor about extended – wear options.

Don’t wear just one lens (it strains your eyes) and don’t use expired backup lenses.

When to See an Eye Doctor

Go for urgent care if you have:

  1. Redness or swelling in your eye that lasts more than 24 hours.
  2. Blurry vision or are sensitive to light.
  3. A feeling like something is stuck in your eye.

If you don’t get rid of the debris in your eye, it can cause ulcers or scarring.

Frequently Asked Questions about Broken Contact Lenses

Q: Can a torn contact lens hurt my eye?

A: Yes, even colored soft contact lenses can scratch your cornea. Never put a damaged lens into your eye.

Q: Can I fix a torn lens with solution?

A: No. Throw it away right away. Trying to fix it yourself can cause an infection.

Q: How should I store my lenses to prevent them from tearing?

A: Keep your lenses completely covered in fresh solution and don’t squeeze the lens case shut.

Conclusion

If your contact lens breaks, you need to act fast to avoid problems. Focus on gently removing the lens, rinsing your eye, and getting professional help if necessary. To reduce risks, use daily disposable lenses, handle your lenses carefully, and always have glasses as a backup. Always ask your optometrist for advice that’s right for you. Your eye health is too important to take risks with.

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