When all else fails, we bring out the big guns: saline solution. Not tap water (ouch, and also, no—the bacteria party is not invited). Flood your open eye with a steady stream of saline from a rinse cup or a fresh bottle. When liquid hits, nature takes over, and the lens often floats right out like a leaf on a river of relief.
If you don’t have saline, the next best thing is artificial tears. Never use contact solution that’s been sitting open for months—that’s a petri dish of regret. And if you’re wearing makeup and losing a lens, remember: it’s now a sparkly, mascara-flavored adventure. You’ll find it eventually, or you’ll give up and become a pirate for the night.
What If It’s Really Gone?
Here’s the dirty secret: sometimes the lens already fell out and you just didn’t notice. Check your shirt, the floor, and the dog. Yes, the dog. They love shiny, chewy things. If you feel no scratchiness after a few minutes, you might already be contact-free. Congratulations—you’ve been panicking over nothing!
But what if your eye still feels like a sandstorm? Look for a red spot or a scratch on your cornea (called a corneal abrasion). This is your eye saying, “Hey, I’m mad you abused me with your finger-jabbing.” If the pain is sharp or lasts more than an hour, see a doctor. Otherwise, pop on your glasses and give your eye a vacation.
Can You Lose A Contact Lens in Your Eye?
