What to Do if You Rip a Contact Lens: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're brand new to wearing contact lenses or a seasoned wearer, accidents happen. No matter how careful you are, you might find yourself with a ripped contact lens at some point.

Do you have a ripped lens right now or want to prepare for the unexpected? Either way, here’s everything you need to know about handling this situation.

Can You Wear Ripped Contact Lenses?

If you only remember one thing from this article, let it be this: never wear a torn contact lens. Even if it feels fine in your eye, a ripped lens is unsafe and ineffective.

Risks of Wearing Ripped Lenses

Torn lenses can't maintain the curvature needed to fit your eye properly. This poor fit can lead to:

• Blurred vision as the lens moves around or fails to stay centred.
• Corneal scratches caused by jagged edges.
• Trapped fragments, which may require professional removal.

The best course of action? Take it out immediately and dispose of it

What to Do if Your Contact Lens Rips

If your lens rips, here’s what to do:

1. Remove the torn lens immediately. Avoid wearing it any longer.
2. Inspect the replacement lens for damage before putting it in.
3. Switch to glasses if you don’t have a spare lens on hand.

What if a Piece of the Lens Stays in Your Eye?

It’s rare but possible for a torn fragment to remain in your eye. Follow these steps:

• Try to locate the fragment using a mirror.
• Use eye drops to lubricate your eye and blink to dislodge it.
• If you see the piece, gently slide it to the corner of your eye with your fingertip and remove it.

If you can’t remove the piece or feel discomfort, seek help from your optometrist or a healthcare provider. They have specialised tools to locate and safely remove the fragment.

I've Put on a Contact Lens, but Can’t Find It!?

Sometimes, you may think a lens is lost behind your eye. Fortunately, this isn’t possible due to the structure of the eye.

What to Do:

1. Stay calm and check for the lens using a mirror.
2. Blink slowly to moisten your eyes and encourage the lens to move back into place.
3. Close your eyes and gently move them around to stimulate tear production.
4. Once you locate the lens, apply eye drops to moisturise and remove it gently.

How to Prevent Ripped Contact Lenses

Once you’ve experienced a ripped lens, you’ll want to avoid it happening again. Here are some tips:

1. Inspect Your Lenses

Always check your lenses before wearing them. Look for rips or jagged edges. If you find any, replace the lens immediately.

2. Keep Lenses Clean and Moist

Follow the cleaning instructions provided with your lenses. Always store them in fresh contact solution and avoid letting them dry out.

3. Unfold Folded Lenses in Solution

If your lens folds, place it back in the solution to unfold it gently. This reduces the risk of tearing.

4. Avoid Removing Lenses from Dry Eyes

Dry eyes make lenses prone to ripping. Use rewetting drops before removing your lenses to reduce this risk.

5. Don’t Rub Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes while wearing lenses can cause tears or corneal abrasions. If you must rub your eyes, take the lenses out first.

6. Trim Your Fingernails

Long or jagged nails can easily rip contacts. Keep your nails neat and use your fingertips—not nails—to handle your lenses.

Do You Need to Replenish Your Contact Lens Supply?

If you’ve run out of spare lenses or want to stock up, check out our range of lenses available online. Whether you’re looking for daily disposables or monthlies, we’ve got you covered.

Want to learn more tips for contact lens care? Browse our resources for expert advice on keeping your lenses and eyes in top condition.