How to avoid ripping contact lenses

How to avoid ripping contacts

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Ripping a contact lens is very common, but also very frustrating. Many contact lens wearers will experience ripping a contact lens at some point. For those who wear monthly or two-weekly lenses, this is not only very annoying but also costly as the torn contact will need to be replaced. You should never wear ripped contact lenses as they can damage your eyes.

If your contact lenses arrive torn, you should avoid using them and take advantage of our free contact lens replacement service. Soft contact lenses are more likely to rip due to their fragility. However, if you look after them, they are capable of being durable. You can avoid your contacts ripping while using them by following our top tips.

Avoid rubbing your eyes

Rubbing your eyes can not only cause your contacts to tear, but it can also cause corneal abrasions. If you scratch your cornea, this can lead to problems with your vision. Feeling like you need to rub your eyes could be a sign that your contact lenses are too drying, lubricating eye drops should help combat this.

Keep your nails short

Long fingernails can cause your contact lenses to rip when putting them in or taking them out. You should take care when removing your lenses and make sure you use the pad of your thumb and index finger instead of your nails. Keeping your nails filed short and smooth will help to avoid ripping contacts. If you're new to wearing lenses, you can take a look at our guide on how to put in contact lenses.

Rubbing the lenses too aggressively while cleaning them can also cause them to tear. Be gentle when handling your lenses to avoid small tears and damage.

Keep your lenses moist and hydrated

A dry lens is more likely to become damaged through rips and tears. Therefore, it is vital to keep your contact lenses hydrated. If you're wearing two-weekly or monthly contact lenses, you should store them in a lens case that's compatible with contact solution. Our Feel Good Contact Lens Case can be filled with our comfi All-in-One Solution to keep your lenses hydrated.

Environmental factors such as air conditioning, cold temperatures and wind can cause dry eyes, as can spending too much time in front of a computer screen. Your contact lenses are more likely to tear when you're taking them out of a dry eye.

The best way to prevent this from happening is by using eye drops such as our Blink Intensive Tears Vials. These are a popular choice for those with busy lifestyles and can be applied to your eyes while wearing contact lenses. We have a wide range of eye drops that can be used with contact lenses.

Try comfi All-in-One Solution

Shop comfi All-in-One Solution

The comfi All-in-One Solution will clean, disinfect, and store your resuable lenses whilst keeping them highly moisturised with hyaluronate. This solution guarantees clear and comfortable vision with your lenses and is suitable to use with all soft contact lenses including silicone hydrogels. A cost-effective all-in-one solution with a gentle formula. Great for dry and sensitive eyes.

Try comfi All-in-One Solution

Shop comfi All-in-One Solution

Take care when unfolding lenses

If you find your contact lenses folded when removing them from their case, we recommend putting a drop of your solution in the palm of your hand and massaging the lens to allow the moisture to open it up. Pulling the edges apart with your fingers can cause the contacts to rip so this should be avoided.

Fill your lens case with solution

Make sure you use enough contact lens solution when leaving your lenses to soak in the case. Failing to do this can cause the edges to become dry and stick to the case, which increases the possibility of them tearing when trying to remove them.

Quick links:

How to get a broken lens out of the eye
How to look after your lenses
How can I tell if my contact lens is inside out?

Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical care or an in-person check-up. Please check with an eyecare professional before purchasing any products or remedies. For information on our article review process, please refer to our Editorial Policy.