How to avoid ripping contact lenses

Monday, 28 September 2020 by Vision Direct

Woman putting in a contact lens while looking in the mirror

Accidentally ripping one of your contact lenses is an almost-inevitable (and very frustrating) experience that many lens wearers will encounter at some point. Ripping a lens can be both annoying and costly, particularly for wearers of two-weeklies or monthlies, as they'd need to replace the lens with a new one. With this in mind, you might try to soldier on with a slightly ripped lens, but let us stop you right there: this might harm your eyes, so we really wouldn't recommend it.

If your contact lens is already damaged when you open the blister pack, it's best to get rid of it right away - and take advantage of our free lens replacement service. However, having your lenses rip while you're using them is a whole different story, and sometimes you might not even realise you have anything to do with that! But fear not, we've put together some really easy tips on how to avoid ripping your contact lenses.

Keep your lenses hydrated

A dry lens has a higher risk of ripping, so keeping your lenses hydrated is key to a hassle-free routine. If you're a wearer of two-weeklies or monthlies, your lenses need to be stored in a case whenever you're not using them. You can't go wrong with the Vision Direct Contact Lens Case - a sturdy and colourful container that's compatible with all multi-purpose cleaning fluids and contact lens solutions - except for peroxide solution.

From spending too long in an air-conditioned room to outdoor adventuring on a windy day: cold temperatures and exposure to wind might cause tears to evaporate too quickly, leaving you with dry eyes. Equally, spending too much time in front of a computer can have similar effects, as you don't blink as much when you're staring at a screen, meaning your lenses could dry out. The best way to combat this is with some everclear eye drops, suitable for use with or without your contact lenses. Why not also give some eye exercises a go - they're a simple and easy way to soothe tired eyes, strengthen eye muscles, improve circulation and keep symptoms of eye strain at bay.

A person pouring solution into a contact lens case

Fill your lens case to the brim

Don't hold back when it comes to filling up your lens case with solution - your contact lenses need a good soak. If you don't put enough solution in there, they might stick to the dry edges and can possibly rip when you remove them. Always double check to see if your case is properly closed too - you don't want any solution leaking in your bag, or water or dirt seeping through. Try to replace your lens case every 3 months - this can stop the build-up of unwanted bacteria or debris getting on your lenses.

When it comes to solution, we recommend everclear REFRESH All In One: its gentle formula is perfect for sensitive eyes and it can effectively remove all bacteria, build-ups and germs. It comes in a handy everclear REFRESH travel pack so you can give it a go before committing, or in a everclear REFRESH 3-pack, to make sure you're all stocked up.

Decide on dailies

If having to deal with your contact lenses ripping is becoming a problem in your life - make things easier by switching to daily contact lenses. With dailies, you can wear a new set of lenses every day - meaning you don't have to worry about recurring damage and you get to save time and money, as you don't have to worry about having a solution routine. You can't beat everclear ELITE disposable dailies that tick all the boxes when it comes to hydration, convenience and hygiene. Designed from a soft silicone hydrogel material and with a high water content, these lenses lock in moisture for comfortable and healthy vision throughout the day. UV blocking also adds an extra layer of defence, protecting your eyes from harmful rays.

A bottle of everclear eye drops

Use eye drops before removing your contact lenses

Eye drops can really come in handy when you're removing your lenses, as the softer your lens, the lower the chance of any damage. A small rip can swiftly develop into a bigger rip, so it's better to be safe and keep your eyes hydrated.

The trick is to squeeze some eye drops into your eye and let them settle for about 30 seconds before you take out your contact lenses. This way your lenses are fully moisturised and can easily detach from your eye.

Be careful with folded lenses

Contact lens wearers know all too well the struggle of a folded lens. It can happen as you remove your contact lens from the case, or if you drop it while applying it. If your lens is folded in half, it's best to carefully peel the edges open to prevent them from sticking and causing a rip. We don't suggest rubbing the lens back and forth to unfold it either, as this could make it a lot worse!

Tackle your folded lens troubles by dripping some solution into the palm of your hand, along with your folded contact lens, and gently rubbing the edges apart. You can also just put the lens back in the case, filled with solution, leave it in there for a bit, and usually, it will separate by itself.

A hand with painted nails holding a knitted jumper

Watch out for long nails

Love the long nail look? While stylish, having long nails can sometimes complicate things a little - especially when it comes to applying contact lenses. It's not impossible to do, but it's important to follow the right method to prevent any ripping or injury to your eyes.

We've put together a step-by-step video tutorial on how to remove contact lenses with long nails to help you get the hang of it before you go for it. If you'd like to perfect your application method while you're at it, check out our helpful guide on how to put in contact lenses.

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