The key facts

  • A lens can shift under the upper eyelid or into a fold of the mucous membrane, but it cannot get behind the eyeball — the conjunctiva closes off that space.
  • The sensation of a lens in the eye sometimes persists even though it has already fallen out: the irritation does not pass immediately.
  • If an attempt to remove the lens fails, you should see an ophthalmologist the same day; if there is pain, light sensitivity or worsening vision — immediately.

Why a lens cannot 'slip' behind the eye

A common fear among contact lens users — that a displaced lens will travel behind the eyeball — was refuted by ophthalmologist Tatyana Shilova in a comment to Gazeta.Ru. According to her, a lens can shift under the eyelid, most often the upper one, and a soft lens can sometimes fold and get stuck in a fold of the mucous membrane. However, it cannot get behind the eyeball: the conjunctiva lines the inner surface of the eyelids and continues onto the surface of the eye, so there is no passage there.

How to recognize the problem and why it is dangerous

A displaced lens, according to the specialist, causes a foreign-body sensation, tearing, redness and discomfort when blinking. It also happens that the lens has already fallen out, but the person still feels as if it remains in the eye — the irritation persists for some time.

Why lens displacement is dangerous

The main risk is damage to the cornea if the lens remains under the eyelid for a long time or is removed with force. If an infection joins in, keratitis develops — inflammation of the cornea, which without timely treatment can lead to a persistent decline in vision, Shilova warned.

What to do and what not to do

If a lens is 'lost' in the eye, the doctor recommends washing and drying your hands, instilling moisturizing eye drops approved for use with contact lenses, blinking calmly and waiting. If the lens is believed to be under the upper eyelid, you should look down and gently lift the eyelid; a visible and freely moving soft lens can be removed in the usual way, with the pads of the fingers.

What not to do

Shilova listed the prohibitions: do not pull an immobile lens with force, do not rub the eye, do not search for the lens under the eyelid with fingernails, tweezers or a cotton swab. Tap water or saliva must not be used for rinsing — with them, infectious agents can enter the eye. Lens cleaning and disinfecting solution must also not be instilled instead of eye drops.

When to see a doctor

If a careful attempt to find or remove the lens fails, you should see an ophthalmologist the same day: the doctor will examine the space under the eyelids, remove the lens and check whether the cornea is damaged. Until the examination, do not put another lens in that eye and do not leave the problem overnight. If there is pain, pronounced redness, light sensitivity or worsening vision, help is needed immediately, even if the lens has already been removed. If irritation persists after removal, the doctor advises wearing glasses and consulting a specialist.