Updated: January 20, 2026
To take out contact lenses, wash and dry your hands, look slightly upward, and gently slide the lens to the white of your eye before pinching it out with your fingertips. Removing lenses the right way helps prevent irritation and reduces the chance of scratching the eye. If a lens feels stuck, adding lubricating drops made for contact lens wear and blinking can help it move before you try again.
Quick Steps:
- Wash hands with soap and water and dry with a lint-free towel, then stand in front of a mirror in good light.
- Hold your upper eyelid open to prevent blinking, then use your other hand to pull the lower lid down.
- Touch the lens gently with your fingertip and slide it down or to the white of your eye (sclera), then pinch it out using the pads of your thumb and index finger.
- If the lens feels dry or stuck, use rewetting drops or preservative-free artificial tears labeled for contacts, blink a few times, and try again without forcing it.
- After removal, discard daily lenses or clean reusable lenses immediately and store them in fresh disinfecting solution.
Most contact lenses come out easily with clean hands and gentle technique, and you should stop and seek care if removal causes pain or your eye becomes very red.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References:
How to Insert and Remove Contact Lenses. American Optometric Association (AOA). https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/contact-lenses/how-to-insert-and-remove-contacts. Updated July 2024.
How to Take Care of Contact Lenses. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-care. Updated April 22, 2022.
Everyday Eye Care. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/everyday-eye-care. Content current as of December 4, 2023.
