Tips and Tricks to Find a Contact Lens You’ve Dropped

One of the most common issues that contact lens wearers talk about is dropping the lens. The situation has even been used a lot on movies and TV shows, with people freezing in place after someone at a party shouts, “I’ve lost my contact lens!” As funny as the media may make it out to be, there’s nothing fun about the prospect of facing the day without being able to see clearly. If—and when—you drop your contact lens, here are some tried and true tips and tricks to locating it, from your Champaign, IL optometrists.

Check Your Clothing

Contact lenses don’t fall heavily. Often, a dropped contact lens will alight on the front of your clothing, so before moving, look down at the front of your top. Next, check the tops of your shoes. These are the two most common places a lens will land.

Shine a Light On It

A contact lens will reflect light differently than other things on your floor or countertop or sink. Using a pen flashlight, slowly canvas the area where it dropped. If the light hits it, the lens will quickly become obvious.

Create a Surface Plane

Another easy way to find the lens is to get on the floor away from the area and lie your head as level flat as you can, looking sideways. Anything that’s not absolutely level with the floor—including your lens—will immediately stand out.

Clean Extra Well

Once you’ve found your lost contact lens, you can’t just pop it back in. It’s now been exposed to any number of unpleasant things. You need to clean it extra well before using it again. This means using a disinfecting solution in addition to the saline solution.

For more help with your contact lenses in Champaign, IL, reach out to Champaign Eye Professionals. We’re here for all your vision needs!