If you wear contacts, you’re already aware of the basic rules of eye care, but that doesn't stop you from slipping up from time to time. Awkward moments are part of what make us human. Embrace them. Here’s our list of awkward contact lens moments only a regular wearer can understand.
Falling asleep with your contacts in
You get into your pyjamas, curl up under the duvet and stare at your phone for a while before eventually falling asleep, completely forgetting you’ve left your contact lenses in. Then you wake up the next morning and think it’s a Christmas miracle that your sight has returned. That’s when you remember leaving your contacts in the night before, suddenly your dry eyes feeling glued shut makes a lot more sense.
Sound familiar? Hey, it happens, but it’s important to remember that sleeping in your contact lenses can lead to anything from dry eyes to infections. The lens creates a barrier which stops oxygen from reaching your eyes all night, creating that intense dry feeling in the morning. All lenses - including Daily disposables, 2-weekly and monthly contact lenses - should be removed before bed, unless they are extended wear lenses, which must be prescribed and worn under the supervision of your eye doctor.
An eyelash going astray
When you put your lenses in and one of your eyes instantly feels uncomfortable, it could be an eyelash trying to make mischief. A stray lash on the lens can happen anywhere and it can be especially annoying when you’re in the middle of a conversation or travelling somewhere. If this ever happens to you, wash your hands, remove your lens and clean it in some contact lens solution, remove the lash from your eye/the lens and then put it back in.
A solution spillage
If you're running late for work or you didn't get a lot of sleep the night before, your morning routine can get a little messy. Maybe you spill cornflakes on the counter, you have to put your coffee in a to-go cup, and you’re debating whether you should spend your last 5 minutes brushing your teeth or just leave to increase your chances of catching the train. It’s all too easy to rip open your blister pack of lenses too quickly and spill your contact solution everywhere.
Putting your lens on inside out
Sometimes it can be hard to tell when your contact lens is inside out. You’ll know because it won’t feel right in the eye and your vision might become blurred. A good way to know if your contact is inside out is to look at the contact from a side angle. If the edge is a smooth cup shape, then it’s the right way up. If there is an edge to the lens (like the rim of a teacup) then it’s inside out.
For more information about how to put your lenses in and some general FAQ’s, visit our Feel Good Contacts eye care hub.
A contact lens falling out of your eye
There’s nothing worse than a contact falling out of your eye. Even if you don’t feel it happen, you’ll probably notice the sudden blurriness in one eye. Don’t panic!
It’s useful to keep a bottle of saline solution in your bag for times like these. Try the comfi All-in-One Travel Pack solution, keep one in your bag and one on your desk at work so you’re never caught out again.
Ripping your contact lens
Modern lenses are soft and ultra-comfortable, especially if they're made from silicone hydrogel. This makes them very comfortable to wear but it also makes them more fragile and prone to tearing.
You might think wearing a torn lens is okay if it doesn’t immediately hurt, but you’d be wrong. Leaving it in could be harmful, as the torn edge could scratch your eye.
Here’s how to avoid tearing your lens in the future:
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Keep your eyes hydrated
It’s good to keep some eye drops on hand in case you have dry eyes throughout the day. If you try and remove your lens from a dry eye it can cause it to tear. Sometimes using eye drops before removal can be helpful.
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Flip the lens in solution
If you open your blister pack and the lens is folded, or it’s inside out, gently move it around inside the solution until it’s right. The moisture and fluidity of the solution will help you correct the shape without damaging it.
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Always fill the lens case full of solution
You might want to try and use your solution sparingly to cut costs, but this is a bad idea. If you only partly fill your lens case, the exposed part of the lens could dry out, stick to the case or your finger and then tear.
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Don’t use your nails to handle the contacts
When putting in and taking out the lens, always use the pads of your finger and thumb. Using your nail will increase your chances of damage, which can be especially annoying if you’re wearing monthlies. Try and keep your nails short and trimmed to avoid any accidental nicks.
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If you have to rub your eyes, remove your lenses
Not only could you rip the lens by rubbing your eyes, you could also cause some major damage to your cornea. The pressure of rubbing a contact against your delicate eye can cause all kinds of issues. If you must rub your eye, remove your lens first.
