The contact lens stays in place by sticking to the tear film. However, if you’re not careful when inserting your lenses, the contacts can become displaced. If a contact lens gets stuck in the corner of your eye, it’s important to recognize it so you can remove it without further irritation.
In general, it’s not a good idea to rub your eyes or try to massage a contact lens into position because this can scratch your cornea, and may also cause your eye to become irritated and inflamed. Instead, rinse your hands well to ensure they’re clean before handling your contacts. This helps to prevent the spread of bacteria that can lead to infection.
It’s also a good idea to avoid using cream soaps on your hands when handling your contacts, because they can leave a residue that can transfer to the lens and cause it to stick. You should also make sure to use saline solution, contact lens rewetting drops, or multipurpose solution to help rehydrate your contacts before trying to remove them.
If you suspect that your contact is still in your eye, it’s helpful to look at yourself in a mirror. You can usually feel a contact lens in your eye, and if it’s stuck in the corner of your eye, you can often see it if you’re looking down toward your lower lid. If the contact is stuck in the opposite direction, you can usually locate it by tilting your head back slightly.