How to remove contact lenses

Read our instructions on how to take out contact lenses

Taking out your contact lenses will become very quick and easy once you’ve practiced a couple of times. Our resident optician recommends this method of removing a contact lens, as it’s more convenient for beginners.

• Step 1
  

  Step 1: Thoroughly wash and dry your hands

  Wash and dry your hands before touching your eyes.

• Step 2
  

  Step 2: Gently pull down your lower eyelid and pull up your upper eyelid

  Starting with the same eye every time, use your non-dominant hand to gently pull down your lower eyelid, then pull up your upper eyelid to hold your eyelashes against your brow.

• Step 3
  

  Step 3: Gently pinch the contact lens using your first finger and thumb

  Place the first finger and thumb of your other hand on either side of the contact lens, and then gently pinch it.

• Step 4
  

  Step 4: Look up and slide the lens down, then off onto your finger

  Look up and gently slide the lens down onto the white of your eye, then off onto your finger. Repeat for the other eye.

Preparation

Always wash and clean your hands before touching your eyes or taking out your contact lenses. If you wear monthly lenses, have a clean, disinfected contact lens case and some fresh multipurpose solution nearby, for storing the lenses after you remove them.

Removing a contact lens

Start with the same eye every time, to avoid accidentally mixing up your lenses. Use your non-dominant hand to pull down your lower eyelid and gently pull up your upper eyelid to meet your eyebrow.

Now use your dominant hand (the one you use to write) to pinch off the contact lens and remove it from your eye – to do this, place your first finger and thumb on either side of the contact lens, and gently pinch it. Look up and gently slide the lens down, onto the white of your eye, then slide it off onto your finger.

Repeat for the other eye

Now all you need to do is repeat these steps for your other eye and you've safely removed your contacts. Simple, isn’t it!

Storing monthly contact lenses

If you wear monthly contact lenses, make sure that once removed they are placed in fresh multipurpose solution and stored securely in a clean contact lens case. If you wear dailies, all you need to do is dispose of them, that’s all there is to it.

Need more help or advice?

For personalised advice on anything to do with contact lenses, eye care or eye drops, call our friendly customer support team on 020 7768 5000 or email help@visiondirect.co.uk. They’re available from 49.

Related links

• How to put in contact lenses
• Treating dry eyes with eye drops