How to remove your contact lenses with less struggle

A simple way to take off your contact lenses

5 minute read

How to remove contact lenses

Whether you’re a first-time user or someone who’s been wearing them for a while, knowing how to safely remove contact lenses is essential. If you’re unsure how to take off your contact lenses, you’ve come to the right place. This helpful guide will give you all the information you need about removing your contacts and disposing of them afterwards.

A simple way to take off your contact lenses

A young woman sets up an area with a towel and a mirror to prepare to put her contacts on

Wash your hands

Before removing your contact lenses, use non-perfumed, antibacterial liquid soap to rinse your hands, then dry with a lint-free towel. This helps prevent bacteria or debris from transferring to your eyes or lenses.

 

Look up and pull down your lower eyelid with your middle finger

Slowly bring your finger to your eye until you touch the lower edge of the lens. Then move it down to the lower white section of your eye.

 

Gently squeeze the contact lens

Using your thumb and index finger, lift the contact lens away.

 

Discard or clean your contact lenses

For reusable contact lenses, once you've taken them off, always remember to clean and disinfect using the solution recommended by your Eye Care Professional, and follow the instructions carefully.

 

 

At the end of use, place your lenses in a bin or, even better, recycle them! 

1. First method

 

  • Open both eyes as wide as much as possible. 
  • Then place your forefinger in the outside corner of your eye, just where your top and bottom eyelids connect. 
  • Pull your eyelids to the side towards your ear, then blink. This is a useful way to remove contact lenses without pinching.

2. Second method

 

  • Take both your forefingers, placing one on the top of your eyelid and the other at the bottom lid at 12 and 6 o’clock positions. 
  • Position them as close to the edge as possible. 
  • Hold your eyelids apart and apply an even amount of pressure to the top and bottom of the contact lens’ edge. 
  • Bring the eyelids together – this should lift the contact lens from the surface.

Once you’ve got the basics

To ensure your vision is always at its best, you should keep your contact lenses clean and store them properly. Learn more with the rest of our guides.  

Learn how to put on your contact lenses

Discover the best ways to put on your contact lenses to ensure comfort and clear vision.

 

Discover contact lens management

Get the most out of your contact lenses with our top tips and advice on keeping them clean.

 

Check out our tips for healthy eyes

Learn how to protect your eyes and reduce your risk of irritation and serious eye conditions.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

If your contact lenses feel stuck  and won’t come off, stay calm. The first thing you should do is wash and dry your hands, then apply saline solution or contact lens approved moisturising drops into the eye and massage gently to moisten the lens. 

Blink a few times, then use the flat part of your finger to gently press on the stuck contact lens and remove it. If it still won’t come off of your eye, contact your Eye Care Professional. 

If you’re taking off contact lenses for the first time, ensure you thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Then, look up and use your middle finger to pull down your lower eyelid. 

 

Take your thumb and index finger to gently squeeze the lens and lift it from your eye.

You can remove a contact lens without pinching by gently sliding the lens down to the white of your eye with your fingertip, then pressing it lightly until it folds and sticks to your finger. 

Or you can try the blinking method, where you blink firmly to help the contact lens come off naturally. Saline solution can also help to make the process easier.

If finger nails are getting in the way of taking out your contact lenses, try the ceiling technique. 

With this method, you look straight up at the ceiling while using the pads of your fingers to gently slide the lens down on to the white part of your eye. Once the lens is on the white of your eye, you can easily pinch or scoop it out safely.

No, you should never use a cotton bud to remove contact lenses. This can cause fibres to stick to the lens or get into your eye, resulting in irritation or infection. 1

Related content

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Find out what to expect and what questions you may want to ask your Optician.

All ACUVUE® contact lenses have UV Blocking to help provide protection against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye. UV absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV absorbing eyewear such as UV absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV absorbing eyewear as directed by your optician. 

 

*T&Cs apply: 1 trial per person. 18+. Professional consultation and fitting fees may apply and are not included. Subject to Optician approval. Participating Opticians only. For full terms and conditions see here. 

 

 

Important information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE® Contact Lenses can be used for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and instructions on proper lens care. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, any eye disease or systemic disease, that may affect the eye, or if you are allergic to any ingredients. If you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems, remove the lens and contact your Eye Care Professional immediately. 

For detailed information on proper wear, care, warnings and precautions, talk to your Eye Care Professional and carefully read the Instructions for Use available on Johnson & Johnson website https://www.e-ifu.com/ For any additional information, please visit our ACUVUE® website https://www.acuvue.com/en-gb/ 

 

References 

1.Eye Health Central. How to remove contact lenses. Available at: https://www.contactlenses.co.uk/education/How-to-remove-contact-lenses#:~:text=Can%20I%20Remove%20Contact%20Lenses,The%20s imple%20answer%20is%20NO 

 

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