Taking out contacts shouldn’t feel like a wrestling match. With the right technique, it takes a few seconds and doesn’t hurt. Pick your lens type below, watch the short animation, then try it in the mirror. Every clip loops, so you can leave it playing while you practise.
The gist (soft lenses): wash and dry your hands, look up, pull your lower lid down, slide the lens to the white of your eye, then gently pinch and lift it out.
- Clean, dry handsMild, cream-free soap and a lint-free towel.
- Covered drainSo a dropped lens can’t escape.
- Short nailsUse your finger pads, never your nails.
New to contacts? Our guide to putting in and taking out contact lenses covers the basics, including putting them in.
Soft Lenses: The Pinch Method
The classic technique. Slide the lens off the centre of your eye first, then pinch it gently with your finger pads.
- Look up. Hold your upper lid open and pull your lower lid down with your middle finger.
- Slide the lens down to the white of your eye with your index finger.
- Gently pinch it between your thumb and index finger pads.
- Lift it out. Rinse and store it in fresh solution, or toss it if it’s a daily.
Tip: Start with the same eye every time so your left and right lenses never get mixed up. Lens tearing? You may be pinching too hard: slide it to the white of your eye first, then use a light touch.
Can You Take Out Contacts With Long Nails?
Yes. Use the slide method: instead of pinching the lens where it sits, slide it out to the corner of your eye first.
- Look toward your nose. Hold your upper lid open and pull your lower lid down.
- Keep your index finger flat, with the nail facing away from your eye.
- Use the soft pad to slide the lens out to the outer corner.
- Pinch it gently there and lift it away.
Contact Lens Stuck or Feeling Dry?
Don’t pull. A dry lens can cling to your eye, and a little moisture usually sets it free.
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Add a few drops of sterile saline or rewetting drops, then blink several times.
- Gently massage your closed upper lid with a finger pad.
- Once the lens moves freely, remove it as usual.
Heads up: Never use tap water, saliva or tweezers. If the lens still won’t budge, or your eye is red, sore or blurry, stop and call your optometrist.
Contacts feel dry every day? See why it happens and how to fix it.
Can a Contact Lens Get Lost Behind Your Eye?
No. A lens can only travel as far as the fold under your eyelids, so it can’t slip behind your eye. If a soft lens seems to have vanished, it may have folded and tucked under your upper lid. Add sterile saline, blink, and gently massage your closed lid. Still can’t find it? Call your eye doctor.
Rigid (Gas Permeable) Lenses: The Blink Method
Wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses? They come out with a blink instead of a pinch.
- Lean over a clean towel or soft surface, and cover the sink drain.
- Look straight ahead with your eye wide open.
- Rest a finger at the outer corner of your eye and pull gently toward your ear.
- Blink. The lens should pop out onto the towel.
Good to know: A small suction holder can help if a lens won’t budge. Ask your eye doctor to show you how to use one.
After You Take Them Out
- Daily lenses: throw them away. Never reuse them.
- Reusable lenses: rub and rinse with fresh solution, then store them in a clean case filled with fresh solution. Never top up old solution. Out of solution? See what’s safe to use.
- Water: keep your lenses away from tap water. Showered with them in? Here’s what to do.
- Your case: replace it every one to three months.
Not sure which schedule suits you? Compare daily, bi-weekly and monthly lenses.
Do You Need to Take Contacts Out Every Night?
Usually, yes. Sleeping in lenses raises the risk of eye infections, even with lenses approved for overnight wear. Only sleep in yours if your eye doctor has said it’s right for you.
When to Call Your Eye Doctor
Book a visit if a lens won’t come out, or if you notice any of these after taking your lenses out:
- Redness that doesn’t settle down
- Pain or discomfort
- Blurry or fuzzy vision
- Sensitivity to light, or discharge
For severe pain or sudden vision loss, go to an emergency room.
Stock Up on Contacts
VisionPros is a Canadian company that makes it simple to reorder your lenses. Browse daily, weekly or monthly contacts, with free shipping on orders over $99.
References
Canadian Association of Optometrists. Wear and Care for Contact Lenses. opto.ca. Accessed 2026.
American Optometric Association. Contact Lens Care. aoa.org. Accessed 2026.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. How Do I Get a Contact Lens Out From the Top of My Eye? aao.org. Accessed 2026.
Moorfields Eye Hospital. Care of Your Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses. moorfields.nhs.uk. Accessed 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Corneal Infections Associated With Sleeping in Contact Lenses. MMWR. cdc.gov. 2018.
All About Vision. How Do You Take Out Contacts With Long Nails? allaboutvision.com. Accessed 2026.
All About Vision. How To Remove a Contact Lens Stuck in Your Eye or Eyelid. allaboutvision.com. Accessed 2026.
This guide is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your eye care professional and your lens manufacturer.
