Can You Rub Your Eyes With Contacts In? 8 Everyday Contact Lens Questions

Try not to rub your eyes while wearing contact lenses. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), rubbing can scratch the eye and move the lens. And no, a lens cannot get lost behind your eye. Here is what trusted sources say about eight everyday contact lens questions.

Can you rub your eyes with contacts in?

Better not. An AAO ophthalmologist advises against rubbing and touching your eyes: you can scratch the eye and make allergy symptoms worse. Over the long term, eye rubbing can even weaken the cornea enough to contribute to keratoconus.

With lenses in, rubbing can also move them. According to the AAO, a lens that keeps shifting may be moved by eye rubbing, or may fit too flat on your cornea. If it happens to you, tell your optometrist: the fit is checked in person.

Can a contact lens get lost behind your eye?

No. According to the AAO, a membrane connects the eye to the eyelid, so a lens cannot get behind the eye. At most, it can move up to the fold of the conjunctiva under the upper eyelid.

The AAO also notes that a lens you think is stuck has sometimes just fallen out. Before you look for it under your lid, make sure it is still on the eye.

How do you get out a lens stuck under the eyelid?

Gently, with clean hands. The AAO suggests these steps: wash your hands, relax the eyelid and feel for the lens through it. A few drops of sterile saline or artificial tears can help float it out.

Then look down as far as you can to bring it into view, or gently massage the eyelid down toward the cornea. If you can see an edge in the mirror, slide it back onto the cornea with a finger and remove it as usual. If you can't get it out or your eye stays uncomfortable, book a visit soon.

How can you tell if a contact lens is inside out?

Look at its shape on your fingertip. According to the AAO, a lens that forms a bowl, edges turned up, is ready to go in; if it looks more like a lid, edges turned out, it is inside out.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) suggests another test: set the lens in a crease of your palm and cup your hand slightly. If the edge curls inward, it is right side out. The CAO also advises always starting with the same lens, right or left, so you never mix them up. Our article on wearing contact lenses for the first time covers how to put them in and take them out.

Your lens fell out: can you put it back in?

Not as it is. The AAO says to clean and disinfect any lens removed from your eye before you put it back, with the care system your eye doctor recommended.

Look at it too: the CAO says to check a lens for particles, deposits or tears before putting it in. A torn lens is not worn. And if you handle your lenses over a sink, the CAO suggests closing the drain.

Can you use eye drops with contact lenses?

Only the ones your optometrist recommends. According to the AAO, avoid eye drops while wearing contacts, except wetting drops or preservative-free lubricating drops your eye doctor recommends.

The CAO says not to use eye medications or drops without asking your optometrist, and to check in if you need lubricating drops more than once per wearing period. The FDA adds to ask before using any eye product, even one sold without a prescription.

Can you wet a contact lens with saliva or water?

No. According to the AAO, never put a lens in your mouth to wet it, because saliva is not sterile. Don't rinse it with tap water either.

Only the recommended solution is for rinsing and storing your lenses. The AAO notes that saline and rewetting drops do not disinfect, and that you use fresh solution every time, never topping off the old. Our article on contact lens care covers each step.

Lenses left in the case for weeks: can you still wear them?

Not without disinfecting them again. According to the AAO, if your lenses have been stored in their case for a long time, read the instructions to see whether they need to be re-disinfected. After 30 days or longer without re-disinfecting, don't wear them.

The case matters too: the AAO says to rinse it with solution, not tap water, leave it open to air dry, and replace it at least every 3 months.

When should you take your lenses out and call?

As soon as your eye turns very red or painful. The AAO says to remove your lenses and call your eye doctor right away if your eyes are very red, painful, watery or sensitive to light, if your vision turns blurry, or if you notice discharge.

These can be signs of an infection or another serious problem. Our article on a red eye with contact lenses explains what to do step by step.

Where can you ask your contact lens questions in Montréal?

At PrimeVision, 9520 Boulevard de l'Acadie, Suite 222, in Montréal (Ahuntsic), optometrists and a licensed optician work under one roof. The clinic fits silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses. Most trial lenses are available the same day when in stock, otherwise in 2 to 5 business days, and the follow-up after a first fitting usually takes place a few days to a week later. Bring your everyday questions to that visit. RAMQ covers eye exams for children under 18 and adults 65+.

Our contact lenses in Montréal page covers fittings and trial lenses. For an up-to-date prescription, book an eye exam.

Sources

• Is It OK to Rub Your Eyes?, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• How do I prevent my contact lens from moving up under my top eyelid?, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• How do I get a contact lens out from the top of my eye?, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2023.
• How to Put In Contact Lenses, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• How to Take Care of Contact Lenses, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• Corneal Abrasion and Erosion, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• Wear and Care for Contact Lenses, Canadian Association of Optometrists.
• Everyday Eye Care, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.