To remove contact lenses when you have long or acrylic nails, you should avoid using your fingernails directly to prevent ripping the lens or injuring your eye. Instead, use the pads of your fingers and specific techniques designed for long nails:
Key Methods to Remove Contacts with Long Nails
- The Ceiling Method
- Use the middle finger of your non-dominant hand to pull your upper eyelid up.
- Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to pull the lower eyelid down.
- Hold your dominant hand’s index finger parallel to your eye and use the pad of that finger to sweep the lens down toward your lower lid.
- Once the lens is against the skin of the lower lid, pinch it gently between your fingers to remove it
- The Slide-to-the-Side Method
- Pull your upper eyelid up with your non-dominant hand and your lower eyelid down with your dominant hand’s middle finger.
- Look toward your nose and hold the index finger of your dominant hand parallel to your eye.
- Use the pad of your index finger to slide the lens toward the outer corner of your eye.
- When the lens reaches the outer corner, pinch it between your fingers and remove it
- The “No Hands” Method (Using Eyelids)
- Pull your upper eyelid up and lower eyelid down with both hands.
- Look toward your nose and blink while gently pushing your eyelids toward each other to squeeze the lens out using your eyelids, avoiding finger contact with the eye
Additional Tips
- Always wash your hands thoroughly, including under your nails, before handling contacts
- Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails, to handle the lenses to avoid damage
- Angle your nails away from your eyeball to prevent scratching
- If your eyes feel dry or irritated, use artificial tears to lubricate before removal
- Practice different finger positions and angles to find what works best for you
- If you struggle, consider consulting an eye care professional for advice or tools that might help
By following these methods and precautions, you can safely remove contact lenses even with long or acrylic nails without damaging the lenses or hurting your eyes
