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How to Take Out Contacts

Guides & How To
structure image How to remove contact lenses without pinching?

At first, taking out your contact lenses can feel tricky and even a little intimidating. Luckily, there are several different techniques you can use to safely and easily remove your contacts.

Once you get the hang of it, getting your contacts out will come as naturally as any other daily routine.

The following methods are designed for removing soft contact lenses (here's how to remove hard contacts). There's a good chance you wear soft contacts, because most daily contacts and reusable biweekly and monthly contacts are soft lenses. Remember that daily lenses are only meant to be worn once, so throw them away after you take them out.

No matter how you choose to remove your contact lenses, take your time and don't be afraid to start over if you need to.

The Pinch Method

Many people find that the standard pinch method is the simplest way to remove their contacts. It involves pinching the lens directly off of your cornea — the clear, front part of your eye.

Pay close attention to your fingernails, since even a small scratch on your cornea (called a corneal abrasion) can be really uncomfortable.

Whenever you plan to touch your contact lenses, eyes, or the area around your eyes, you should always wash your hands first with soap and water, then dry them off with a clean, lint-free towel. This lowers your risk of developing an eye infection.

Make sure you also have your lens case and contact solution at the ready, and your glasses nearby.

Once you've cleaned and dried your hands, take out your contact lenses using the pinch method with these steps:

  • Hold your eyelids open on the first eye. One common way to do this is to pull your upper eyelid upward with your index finger of your non-dominant hand, then pull the lower lid downward with your thumb or middle finger of the same hand.
  • With your dominant hand, position your thumb and index finger on opposite sides of the contact lens. Gently pinch the edges together until the center of the lens lifts off of the cornea.
  • Carefully remove the contact lens from your eye and place it in a clean contact case with fresh solution for reuse. If it’s a daily disposable lens, throw it away.
  • Repeat these steps for your other lens.

The Slide Method

The slide method also involves a careful pinching motion, but only after the lens is moved off of your cornea. This can lower your risk of a corneal abrasion, but be careful not to scratch the white part of your eye (the sclera), either.

Here's how to remove your contacts using the slide method:

  • Wash and dry your hands well.
  • On the first eye, pull your lower eyelid down using your non-dominant thumb or middle finger. Pull your upper lid up with your index finger on the same hand.
  • Use your dominant index finger to slowly slide the contact lens downward. It should gradually move off of your cornea and onto the white part of your eye.
  • Place your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand on opposite sides of the contact lens. Gently pinch the outer edges together until the contact starts to lift off the cornea.
  • Slowly remove the lens from your eye. Place it in a clean case with fresh contact solution to store for reuse. Daily disposable lenses can be thrown away.
  • Repeat for your other lens.

The Ceiling Method: How to Remove Contact Lenses without Pinching

The ceiling method is one way to remove your contacts without pinching. It’s called the ceiling method because you look up at the ceiling while using your bottom eyelid to help get the contact out of your eye.

Follow these steps to remove your contacts using the ceiling method:

  • Wash your hands and dry them well.
  • Use the middle finger of your non-dominant hand to hold up your upper eyelid while you use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull down your lower lid.
  • Look upward and use the index finger of your dominant hand to gently touch the bottom of the contact lens. Slowly slide the lens downward, off your cornea and onto the white part of your eye.
  • Continue to guide the lens downward and nudge it against the skin of your lower eyelid. Eventually, you should be able to feel a slight crinkle in the lens as it rises off the surface of your eye.
  • Once you feel the crinkle, carefully use your dominant index finger and thumb to take the contact out of your eye.
  • Place the lens in a clean case with fresh solution to store for reuse. If it’s a daily disposable lens, throw it away.
  • Repeat these steps for your other eye.

How to Take Out Contacts with Long Nails

Of the three techniques described above, the ceiling method is the safest way to remove your contacts if you have long fingernails. You'll still need to touch the lens while it's on your eye, but with this technique, your nails won't be pointed toward your eye. They should be parallel to your eye instead.

If you have long nails, try to avoid taking out your contacts by pinching the lens while it's still on your eye. This could lead to a painful eye scratch.

Helpful Tips for Removing Contacts

Even experienced contact wearers may still have room for improvement. Keep these tips in mind when it's time to take out your contact lenses:

Use a Mirror Whenever Possible

Stand in front of a wall mirror (or even better, a magnifying mirror) while you take out your contacts. This can make lens removal easier and safer by giving you a full view of your eyes.

Start with the Same Eye Every Time

Most people require a different contact prescription for each eye. Getting in the habit of removing (and inserting) the same lens first can help you avoid future mix-ups.

Be Gentle with Your Lenses

Using too much force to remove a contact could tear the lens or injure your eye. Be especially careful around your cornea, which is very sensitive.

Watch Your Fingernails

Stay mindful of your nails while getting a contact out of your eye — even if you don't have long nails. Fingernails are a common cause of eye scratches.

Prepare Your Contact Case Ahead of Time

Fill your clean contact case with fresh, unexpired contact solution and place it within reach. You'll want to put your lens directly into the solution after removing it from your eye, without any extra steps in between.

Patience Is Your Friend

Figuring out how to get contacts out of your eyes can feel a little frustrating if you're still getting used to the process. It can help to take a quick break before you give it another go.

Address Any Concerns with Your Eye Doctor

Your eyes and contact lens needs can change over time. Your optometrist may recommend experimenting with new contact lenses altogether.

What to Do If You’re Still Struggling to Remove Your Contact Lenses

Don't panic if a contact feels stuck or lost in your eye. It might feel a bit unsettling, but you should be able to find and remove the contact lens on your own.

Here are a few things to try if you find yourself struggling to remove a contact:

  • Wash your hands and dry them well. This won't get your contact out, but it should always be your first step whenever you touch your eyes or the area around your eyes.
  • Make sure the lens is still on your eye. Use a magnifying mirror or feel your eyelids to check that your lens is still there somewhere. The lens may have fallen out without you noticing.
  • Massage your eyelids. Gently massage your upper eyelid with a downward motion. This could help guide the lens to a place where you can remove it like you would normally.
  • Use a saline wash or contact lens rewetting drops. Blink a few times then close your eyes and massage your eyelids. This can help rehydrate the contact (and your eye) and dislodge the stuck lens so you can remove it. Only use a sterile solution or drops approved for use with contacts — never use water.
  • Lift your eyelid. Gently lift your top eyelid to see if you can spot the edge of the lens. If that doesn't work, try carefully flipping your top eyelid inside out to get a better view. A safe way to do this is to hold the outside of your top eyelid down with a cotton swab, then flip the eyelid up over the swab.

Remember to be gentle and patient. Never use force on your eyes, eyelids, or contact lenses. If you've tried everything but still can’t get the contact out, call your eye doctor. They can provide guidance and, if needed, help you in their office.

You should also call your eye doctor if you experience eye pain before, during, or after contact lens removal. They may want to examine your eyes before you try anything else.

What’s the Easiest Way to Remove Contacts?

Many people consider the pinch method the easiest since it requires the fewest steps. But there’s no right or wrong answer here. Use the technique that feels safest and most comfortable for you.

Getting new contact lenses is exciting, and finding the best removal method for you is an important part of the experience. After a little trial and error, you'll be taking out your contacts without a second thought. Practice makes perfect!