The blink method is a hands-free way to pop a contact lens out of your eye using only your eyelids and one finger at the corner of your eye. It works best for rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, though the general approach can be adapted for soft lenses too. Here’s exactly how to do it, what to watch out for, and what to do if a lens gets stuck.
The Blink Method, Step by Step
Start by washing your hands thoroughly, even though you won’t be touching your eye directly. Have a clean, flat surface in front of you or cup your free hand beneath your eye to catch the lens.
Open both eyes as wide as possible. Place your index finger on the outside corner of one eye, right where the top and bottom eyelids meet. Pull the skin firmly toward your ear in a straight horizontal line. Don’t pull up or down. Then blink firmly. The lens should pop out onto your lashes, into your cupped hand, or onto the surface below you.
If the lens doesn’t come out on the first try, reposition your finger and make sure you’re pulling the skin taut enough. The tension from the stretched eyelids is what catches the edge of the lens and levers it off the eye during the blink. A half-hearted pull or a gentle blink usually won’t generate enough force.
Why This Works Better for Rigid Lenses
RGP lenses are smaller than soft lenses, covering only the cornea rather than extending onto the white of the eye. They float on a thin layer of tears and shift slightly with every blink, which is why a firm blink combined with eyelid tension can easily dislodge them. The rigid material doesn’t conform to your eye’s surface, so once the eyelid catches the lens edge, it slides right off.
Soft lenses are a different story. They’re made from flexible hydrogel or silicone hydrogel that absorbs water and molds to the shape of your cornea. Their larger diameter and pliable design keep them suctioned in place during movement, making the blink method far less reliable. You can try it, but most people find that soft lenses need to be pinched off the eye with clean fingertips instead.
Removing Soft Lenses Without the Blink Method
If you wear soft contacts and the blink technique isn’t working, the standard approach is to look up slightly and use a clean index finger to slide the lens down onto the white of your eye. From there, gently pinch the lens between your thumb and index finger to fold it and lift it away. Sliding it off the cornea first reduces the suction holding it in place and makes removal much easier.
Dry fingers grip lenses better than wet ones, so pat your fingertips dry before you try. If the lens feels stuck or dried out, add a few drops of saline solution or rewetting drops and blink several times before attempting removal again. A well-hydrated lens is more flexible and less likely to cling.
Avoiding Scratches and Irritation
Forceful or careless removal is one of the most common causes of minor eye injuries in contact lens wearers. Excessive pressure, long fingernails, and poor dexterity can all damage the surface of the eye, leading to redness, excess tearing, pain, or small blood vessel breaks in the white of the eye. Keep your nails trimmed short if you wear contacts regularly, and never rush the process.
If you feel a sharp sting or your eye turns red and watery after removing a lens, you may have scratched the cornea. Minor scratches typically heal on their own within a day or two, but avoid wearing your contacts until the discomfort is completely gone. Putting a lens back onto a scratched cornea increases the risk of infection.
What to Do if a Lens Gets Stuck
A failed blink attempt can sometimes push a lens up under your upper eyelid, which feels alarming but isn’t dangerous. The lens cannot travel behind your eye because a thin membrane connects the back of your eyelids to the eyeball, creating a sealed pocket.
First, confirm the lens is actually still on your eye and didn’t fall out unnoticed. If you can feel it but can’t see it, try these steps:
- Look downward as far as possible. This can bring a lens hiding under the upper eyelid into view.
- Apply saline or artificial tears generously. The extra fluid helps float the lens out from under the eyelid.
- Massage gently through the closed eyelid, pressing downward toward the cornea to nudge the lens back into position.
- Flip the upper eyelid by placing a cotton swab horizontally across the outside of the lid and folding the lid upward over it. This often reveals a lens tucked just out of sight.
- Slide it into place once you can see a corner of the lens in a mirror. Use a clean finger to guide it back over the cornea, then remove it normally.
If none of this works, or if your eye remains red and irritated, an eye care provider can retrieve the lens quickly using a simple in-office technique. Don’t keep digging around with your fingers for an extended period, as that causes more irritation than the stuck lens itself.
Tips for Easier Removal Over Time
New contact lens wearers often struggle with removal because the natural reflex is to close your eyes when anything comes near them. This reflex fades with practice, usually within the first one to two weeks. During that adjustment period, practicing in front of a well-lit mirror helps you see what you’re doing and builds confidence.
A few practical habits make the process smoother. Remove lenses at the same time each day so it becomes routine. Always start with the same eye so you don’t mix up lenses with different prescriptions. And if your eyes are dry at the end of the day, use rewetting drops a minute or two before removal to loosen the lenses and reduce friction.