How to avoid ripping contacts

Medically reviewed by Sharon Copeland on 19/04/2021

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 rips.

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. Some rewetting solutions can be used as an alternative.

Take care when unfolding lenses

If you find your contact lenses folded when removing them from their case, we recommend putting a saline 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.

Keep your lens case full 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.

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