Torn Contact Lenses? Here's How to Say Goodbye to Rips for Good!

Contact lenses aren't cheap! That's why you may find yourself screaming in frustration when you rip one. You may go through one of the stages of grief known as bargaining. You may ask yourself if you can use the torn lens anyway. But this isn't a wise decision.

Don’t put a bad contact in and risk hurting your eye. You just need to learn the necessary care steps instead. These are simple things, like keeping your nails trimmed or making sure your lens case stays full of solution.

Here are a few ways to avoid torn contact lenses. We’ll also tell you what will happen to your eyes if you try to reuse them.

Don't Use Your Fingernails!

One of the biggest reasons people tear contacts is that they manage to rip one with their fingernail. It's for this reason that you want to make sure to regularly clip your nails.

If you just can’t give up your long nails, you can use your thumb and forefinger to slide your contacts out. Be sure to still keep your nails filed to avoid any snags.

Unfold Your Lenses in Solution

If your lenses appear folded when you take them out of your case, stop! Don't try to pull them apart with your fingers. You’ll most likely rip them if you do this.

Instead of trying to pry the lens apart, do the following. Put a little bit of solution in the palm of your hand. Then place the contact in the puddle. It should then unfold quite easily.

Keep the Lenses Moist

If your lenses dry out, they’re more likely to tear and break. Make sure you always store them in contact solution. Never put your contact lenses in the case without ample solution.

If you feel like your contacts have gotten dry while you're wearing them, no worries. Simply apply a few eye drops to moisten them before you take them out.

Contact solution can be expensive, but don’t use any alternatives! You'll want to store them in lens solution instead of water if you don't want them to tear. Water is not only harmful to your lenses, but it can also be a source of bad bacteria. Never let your contacts touch water of any kind. That includes the saliva in your mouth!

It’s also important to make sure you’re taking care of your lens case on a regular basis as well.

Try Tinted Contact Lenses

Sometimes, you tear your lenses simply because you can't see them in your case. There’s a solution to this: visibility tint contacts.

These lenses won't affect the overall look of your eyes the way colored contacts would. But the tint makes them easier to see. This way, you can find your contacts and put them in without any hiccups.

Keep a Backup Pair of Lenses With You

Rips aren’t the only problem you face when you wear contacts. You may simply drop them. Or, on those rare occasions, one falls out of your eye! It's for these reasons that you want to always keep a spare pair of contact lenses with you.

So which is best: putting in new contacts or putting torn, dirty ones back in? Don’t even think about! You should always pick the first option!

The good thing is that they’re very easy to carry around. Keep them in your pocket or purse. Simply excuse yourself to the bathroom when you need to put in new ones.

This isn't a way to prevent torn contact lenses, but it’s a quick solution if you manage to rip them.

Keep Your Lens Case Full of Solution

If you fill up your lens case only part way with solution, it can evaporate and dry out your contacts. If the contacts don't completely dry out, then they can stick to the wall of the case. This can be a pain to get off, if you can get it off at all.

We understand, contact solution may be costly. But it's better to put too much in the case than too little. Consider that contacts are more expensive than a bottle of lens solution. You can probably afford to fill your case more than halfway.

What Happens if You Put a Torn Contact Lens In?

Never put in torn contact lenses! They can leave your eyes vulnerable to all sorts of eye infections. So if you've put them in, check up with your optometrist. You want to make sure you didn't damage your eyes.

And if you manage to get a piece stuck deep into your eyelid, you might need to get professional help to remove it. You don't want to deal with a corneal infection. It's possible for the broken parts of your contacts to scratch your eyes. This can cause you to permanently lose your vision.

What to Do With a Torn Lens

Unless it’s an accidental tear, a torn contact usually means that it’s expired. Always check the date on the contacts lens box to be sure.

Even if you soak a torn contact lens in solution, it can still scratch your eye, so there’s no saving it. Don't keep wearing them. They might feel and look fine, but they aren't.

In light of this, if your contact is torn, be sure to throw it in the garbage. Being frugal can have significant repercussions in the future, both financially and physically!

Avoid Torn Contact Lenses

Torn contact lenses are a threat to your health. As frustrating as it is, once your contact is ripped, it's time to retire it. Permanently! However, there are some steps that you can take to keep them from tearing.

Give your contacts the necessary care that they need. Soak them in an appropriate amount of solution when you aren't wearing them. Also, make sure you keep your nails filed and trimmed. Lastly, keep backups with you so if they do tear, you're always prepared.

You can't save torn contacts lenses. Whether you use daily, weekly, or monthly contacts, ripping one may happen, no matter how careful you are. But at least you can follow these few simple tips to reduce your chances of having to deal with one.