7 yrs, 3 mths ago

Removing contacts

I wear contacts when I’m going out but now my nails are longer I’m struggling to remove them before bed. Can anyone with longer nails that wears contacts give me some tips on getting them out without scratching my eyes? Thank you 🙂

6 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 7 yrs, 1 mth ago

    omg I always struggle after a fresh set of nails, I use my middle finger and try and use the centre of it (if that makes sense) and push the lens sideways x

  • 7 yrs, 2 mths ago

    Yeah as AliceJaneInNewcastle said, use the side of your index finger rather than your pad (for both application and removal).

    When I had fake nails on I found I could use the side of my index finger and just sweep it down/out until the contact flicked out. But I use dailies, so this might not be suitable for longer wearing contact types, unless you remove them over a towel or something clean that isn’t going to damage the lens.

    There are heaps of different techniques demonstrated on youtube, maybe check them out and see if anything works for you 🙂

  • 7 yrs, 3 mths ago

    Here is a photo of my nails, to give you an idea of the length.

    I have no problem at all getting contacts out.

    I pull the bottom lid down gently with the side of one index finger (finger across the lid), use the side of the other index finger (across the eye) to drag the contact down from the middle of the eye towards the bottom so that it comes away a little due to the shape of the eye. I then pinch the contact out with the tip of the index finger and thumb nails. The nails never touch the eye, just the contact.

  • 7 yrs, 3 mths ago

    I agree re possible reducing your nail length if you are a contact lens wearer. You really can’t muck around with potentially damaging your eyes or irritating your cornea

    I wore contacts for 15 years and was always meticulous in my care of them, however I developed a medical condition that has dry eyes as a major factor and had to stop.

    I found out the hard way I had to stop – my left eye inflamed to a vivid red and stayed that way for around 6 months – very painiful and very ugly to look at too. I also had to stop wearing any eye makeup for that time.

    I had to go to a specialist opthamologist for treatment. I stopped wearing my contacts for over 6 months, but when I first went to start trying them again, my eyes both started weeping like a tap was switched on. So I had to revert to wearing glasses all the time instead.

    While a medical condition was my trigger, when something goes wrong with your eyes it’s an incredibly unpleasant situation. So please take care with your eyes

  • 7 yrs, 3 mths ago

    There are tweezers you can buy for the purpose of removing contacts. Personally after accidentally scratching my cornea when I was a teenager and receiving a massive lecture from my optometrist father, I would rather just cut my nails.

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