Can contact lenses fall out of your eyes?

Medically reviewed by Alastair Lockwood on 21 January 2021

It’s important to note that it’s extremely rare for a contact lens to fall out of your eye of its own accord. Contact lenses have been designed to remain stable on the eye, and to adjust to the movements and rotations of the eye in order to offer clear and crisp vision. Therefore, wearing contact lenses and having them fall out is rarely a problem.

Ways contact lenses can fall out of your eye?

In instances of extreme vigorous activity

Lenses can sometimes become detached and fall out from your eyes when doing vigorous exercise. In this scenario, gas permeable lenses are more likely to fall out of your eye as they are smaller and less technologically advanced than soft contact lenses.

When rubbing your eyes excessively

An optician will advise contact lens wearers to avoid rubbing their eyes. Not only can this cause the contact lens to fall out, it is also unhygienic as it can transfer bacteria to the eye.

When it’s windy

In windy circumstances it is possible for your lenses to dislodge from your eye. The wind can make your eyes water and as a result, the extra moisture can cause the lens to move out of place and perhaps fall out. If you get dry eyes, contact lenses are less likely to slip out, however having excessive dry eyes can cause a wealth of other problems and you should follow a good eye care routine to prevent this.

Putting your contact lenses in the wrong way

You should remove the lens right away if inserted the wrong way as not only can they fall out, but they can also cause immense discomfort.

What should I do if my contact lens falls out of my eye?

If this happens, it’s important to check whether your lens has torn or split after the fall. Putting a damaged lens back into your eye can cause great discomfort and irritation, as well as distorted and blurred vision.

An ill-fitted lens that moves over the eye excessively can also suddenly fall out of the eye, so it’s important to allow your lenses to settle in the right position after applying them.

If your contact lenses fall out, you should make sure you clean them in contact lens solution to get rid of any dirt or bacteria they may have picked up while being on the floor. Even if the lens looks clean, you can never be too careful when it comes to the hygiene of your eyes.

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