Can You Scratch A Contact Lens?

can a contact lens scratch your eye?

a scratch on the clear, front surface of your eye is called a corneal abrasion. because contact lenses rest directly on your cornea, it’s possible for them to cause abrasions in certain situations, though these risks can be minimized with proper lens care.

contact lenses sit on the surface of your eye and stick to the layers of tears covering your cornea. because of the close contact between the lens and your cornea, scratches are possible. scratches are referred to as corneal abrasions.

how a contact lens can scratch your eye

damaged or old lenses

a contact lens with a small rip or a rough, chipped edge can easily irritate the sensitive surface of your eye. even a microscopic tear can cause discomfort when you blink. lenses that are past their replacement date also collect protein deposits, which can create a rough surface and cause friction.

poor lens hygiene

proper cleaning is a key part of safe contact lens wear. if you don’t clean your lenses correctly, tiny particles like dust or makeup can get trapped underneath the lens. as your eye moves and blinks, these particles can rub against your cornea and lead to a scratch.

improper handling & fit

your technique for putting in and taking out your lenses matters. handling lenses with long or sharp fingernails can accidentally cause a tear in the lens or a scratch on your eye. additionally, a lens that doesn’t fit the shape of your eye can shift around, resulting in friction and irritation.

dry eyes or overwear

when your eyes are dry, there isn’t enough lubrication for the contact lens to float smoothly on your cornea. this can cause the lens to feel like it’s sticking to your eye, increasing the risk of an abrasion. wearing your lenses longer than recommended also deprives your cornea of oxygen, which can make it more vulnerable to injury.

common causes

wearing damaged or old lenses

over time, contact lenses can develop small tears, uneven edges, or deposits from daily use. these imperfections can come into direct contact with your cornea, scratching the surface.

improper handling

handling contact lenses incorrectly, such as by dragging or poking the lens during insertion or removal, can sometimes scratch your cornea. accidentally inserting a lens inside-out or placing it on a dry eye without enough lubrication can also cause scratches.

sleeping in contact lenses

sleeping with lenses that aren’t designed for extended use can dry out the eye, restrict oxygen supply to the cornea, and increase the risk of scratches or more serious infections.

incorrectly fitted lenses

not all contact lenses are created equally, nor do they all fit people’s eyes in the same way. ill-fitting lenses may rub awkwardly against the cornea, leading to irritation or abrasions over time.

wearing lenses beyond recommended hours

overwearing lenses deprives your eyes of moisture and oxygen, especially if you’re staring at a screen or in a dry environment. this dryness can make your eyes more susceptible to scratches.

things that can damage a contact lens

contact lenses in australia arefairly delicate and should be handled with care. while they’re designed to befairly resilient, they can be damaged if you don’t understand how to hold themor place them on your eye. thankfully, lens care isn’t that difficult and youwill quickly understand how to use the lenses without the risk of damage.

debris

dirt anddebris are some of the most common causes of lens damage and can leavescratches and even tears on them. many contact lens users don’t look at thelenses carefully before they handle them or clean them. when they rub thelenses to clean them, they unintentionally rub debris on the surface and causescratches.

dryness

lenses are meant to have a specific amount of moisturecontent in them. this ensures they’ll be comfortable for the user. as themoisture evaporates from the lens, it starts to shrink and become lesscomfortable. if the lenses lose too much moisture, they become dry and hard,which can compromise their integrity and damage them.

fall

if it does fall onthe floor, you need to pick it up very carefully. as we mentioned before, dirtand debris can scratch delicate contactlenses in australia. we don’t recommend using lenses that have come in contactwith the floor.

roughhandling

rough handling can easily tear the lenses or causethem to warp. you need to use the lightest possible pressure to handle thelenses. you should try not to pull or pinch them as that would damage theirintegrity.

nails

it’svery difficult to handle contact lenses with long nails and it can be dangerousas well. after all, you don’t want to poke your eye with your long nails. theycan get scratched and torn because of sharp, long nails so it’s a good idea tokeep them short, especially if you wear contactlenses in australia daily.

scratches, nicks, and uncomfortable lenses

there's a number of reasons why your lenses might feel uncomfortable.

• you might be developing a cold, or there might be some deposits or a nick or scratch on the lens.
• it's also possible that there might be debris on the lens, so start by rinsing it with saline or lens comfort solution (never with water or solutions that aren't designed for rinsing - check the box on your solution first).
• consult your optician instead.

small lines on contact lenses

• normal. it tells us if your contact lenses with astigmatism is sitting on the right position
• nope, my astigmatism lens have it, supposedly so docs can make sure they line up properly when i blink and stuff.
• my scleral lenses have them. i think it's from the manufacturing process.

what a corneal scratch feels like

you’ll probably know right away if your eye has a scratch. the symptoms of a corneal abrasion can be quite uncomfortable and often appear suddenly. pay attention to what your eyes are telling you.

if you experience any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly to avoid further irritation.

mild to moderate corneal abrasion:

sharp pain, stinging, or burning sensation

feeling like sand or grit is stuck in your eye

excessive tearing and watery eye

redness or bloodshot appearance

sensitivity to light, especially bright lights

mild blurred vision that improves slightly with blinking

difficulty keeping the eye fully open

severe corneal abrasion:

intense, unrelenting pain

complete inability to keep eye open

significant vision impairment or loss

visible cloudiness or white/grey haze on the colored part of your eye

blood on the white part of the eye

yellow or green discharge

swelling of the eyelid

what should you do if a contact lens scratches your eye?

if you think you’ve scratched your cornea, there are some things you can do to protect your eyes while you wait to see a medical professional.

1. remove your contact lenses immediately
2. the first step is to remove your contact lenses carefully. continuing to wear the lenses can worsen the injury or slow healing.
3. avoid touching or rubbing your eye
4. rubbing your eye can aggravate the scratch and introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. no matter the discomfort, resist the urge to touch your eyes.
5. use artificial tears
6. lubricating eye drops (also called artificial tears) can help soothe irritation, keep the eye moist, and protect the eyes while it’s healing. follow all dosing instructions carefully.
7. avoid over-the-counter eye medications with steroids
8. some eye drops may seem appealing, but products containing steroids can worsen infections or interfere with healing. always consult an eye care professional before using any medication.
9. visit an eye care professional
10. visit an eye specialist or optometrist if you’re experiencing eye pain. they can examine your cornea using specialized tools and determine whether additional treatment is needed.

if you’ve scratched your eye removing a contact lens

1. do not rub your eyes
2. remove the lens carefully if still in
3. flush with sterile saline or clean water
4. blink gently several times
5. do not reinsert contacts. if pain persists beyond 1 hour or vision blurs, call nhs 111 immediately.

immediate actions: what to do in the first 5 minutes

step 1: stop. don't panic. don't rub your eye.

rubbing can worsen the abrasion, embed debris deeper, or cause additional scratches. this is the #1 mistake people make.

step 2: remove the contact lens if still in your eye

wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water first. dry hands completely. remove gently using the pads of your fingers, not nails. if the lens won't budge easily, proceed to step 3 first to lubricate.

step 3: flush your eye with clean water or sterile saline solution

use an eyewash cup if you have one. otherwise, cup clean water in your palm and blink your eye in it, or hold your head sideways under a gentle stream from the tap. flush for at least 30-60 seconds to remove debris, dust, or particles.

step 4: blink gently several times

your natural tears help flush out remaining particles. don't force it if blinking is very painful. you can try pulling your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid to encourage tearing.

step 5: keep your eye closed or only minimally opened

reduce eye movement to minimize irritation. resist the urge to look around examining the damage. rest in a dark or dimly lit room if possible.

step 6: do not put your contact lens back in

not even a fresh, clean one. contact lenses trap bacteria against your cornea, prevent oxygen reaching the scratch, and dramatically increase infection risk while delaying healing.

how can you prevent scratches from contact lenses?

prevention is always better than cure. by adopting a few best practices, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing a corneal scratch.

practice proper hygiene

wash your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses. clean and disinfect your lenses using the recommended solution. never reuse old solution or store your lenses in tap water.

replace lenses as recommended

whether you use daily, biweekly, or monthly lenses, follow your replacement schedule closely. old lenses tend to degrade in quality and increase the risk of scratches.

use lubrication

if you have dry eyes or work in an air-conditioned or dry environment, use lubricating drops regularly. this will prevent the lenses from drying out and sticking to your cornea.

schedule regular eye exams

check with your optometrist regularly to ensure your lenses fit well. your prescription may change over time, or your eyes may develop subtle changes that require attention.

avoid sleeping in lenses

unless your lenses are explicitly approved for overnight use, always remove them before sleeping.

the importance of a proper lens fit

not all contact lenses are created equal, and neither are our eyes. each eye has a different size and curvature, and your lenses need to match those dimensions for safe and comfortable wear. a lens that is too loose can slide around, causing constant irritation that could lead to a scratch.

an ill-fitting lens can also be too tight, which can restrict the flow of tears and oxygen to your cornea. during a contact lens fitting, your eye doctor takes precise measurements of your eyes. this information helps them find a lens that provides clear vision while moving just the right amount with each blink.

this personalized fitting is a key part of your long-term success and safety with contact lenses.