Contacts Bothering Your Eyes? Here’s Why

Do your contact lenses cause discomfort? If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience irritation, dryness, or eye fatigue when wearing contacts.

The good news is that these symptoms often stem from an issue that can be resolved. Whether you’re new to contact lenses or have been wearing them for years, understanding what might be causing discomfort is the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.

Here are some of the most common reasons contacts might be bothering your eyes-and what you can do about it.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are one of the largest complaints among contact wearers. Wearing contact lenses can reduce the natural moisture in your eyes by limiting oxygen flow to the cornea. Lower humidity and oxygen levels lead to dryness and discomfort.

This dry, gritty, burning sensation can cause more than just discomfort. It can also cause your vision to seem blurry.

You don’t need to live with contact lens-related dryness, though. There are simple solutions that solve the problem for most people.

Solutions

You need to find a solution that reintroduces moisture or mitigates the drying effect of contacts to alleviate your dry eyes. Once you have addressed those issues your eyes will quickly start to feel better.

Eye Drops and New Lenses

If you are looking for a dry eye remedy, eye drops are the best place to start. Lubricating eye drops designed for contact lens wearers are a cost-effective and nearly effortless solution. They are also readily available in pharmacies and discount department stores, such as Target or Walmart.

If eye drops don’t alleviate your symptoms you can try daily use contacts. Some people find that wearing a new pair of contacts each day helps alleviate their dry eyes. You can also discuss contact lenses designed for dry eyes with your optometrist. They can help you find a different brand or type of contact lens that works better for you.

Lifestyle Changes

There are several environmental and lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent dry eyes. The easiest one is to stay better hydrated. Sometimes, drinking more fluids can alleviate dry eyes.

The other solution can be more difficult. Avoid air conditioning if your eyes are bothering you. This is not a practical solution in some locations during warmer months. You can attempt to avoid direct contact with an air vent, though, to minimize the drying exposure to your eyes.

Improper Contact Lens Fit

Contact lenses are not one size fits all, despite their similar appearance. If your contact lenses don’t fit properly they can cause irritation, blurry vision, and abrasions. None of this is comfortable!

If your contacts feel like they are sticking to your eyes and they are generally causing discomfort, you probably have a bad fit. Work with your eye doctor to ensure you have contact lenses that fit your eye shape. Getting properly fitted contacts can drastically diminish irritation.

Poor Contact Lens Hygiene

Cleaning your contacts improperly or using expired solution can introduce bacteria and debris to your eyes. This not only causes discomfort, but can also lead to infections.

Good Hygiene Practices

If you believe poor contact lens hygiene is leading to discomfort, review these basic good use practices:

• Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
• Clean your contacts daily. Ensure all makeup and other debris is removed.
• Use fresh contact solution every time you remove and store contacts. Never reuse or top off old solution.
• Clean your lens case regularly.
• Replace your contacts as scheduled.

It can be tempting to save money by stretching the use of contact lenses or reusing solution. Avoid these habits, or you may develop a more costly infection in the future.

Overwearing Your Contacts

Because contact lenses typically deprive eyes of oxygen, they cannot be worn nonstop. Your eyes need a break. Overwearing contact lenses is a common cause of eye irritation.

It is recommended to remove your contacts before going to sleep every night. You should also remove your contact lenses before swimming or showering. Your eyes will thank you. If you have contacts approved for extended wear, it is still recommended that you remove them weekly to allow your eyes a break and to clean your lenses.

Overwearing contacts can lead to redness, irritation, and eye infections. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms remove your contacts and see if a break resolves your issues. If your eyes are still bothering you after a few days without contact lenses, discuss other potential problems with your eye doctor.

Allergies or Environmental Irritants

Allergens such as pollen, pet dander, or dust can adhere to your contacts, exacerbating symptoms. If you experience itching, watery eyes, or redness, your contact lenses may be trapping irritants against your eye.

Allergy Relief

Practice good contact lens hygiene to prevent prolonged exposure to allergens and irritants. You can also consider switching to daily lenses if cleaning and removing your lenses nightly doesn’t relieve allergy symptoms.

In addition to solving your potential contact lens problem, you can use allergy-friendly eye drops to reduce redness and increase moisture.

If you can’t get relief with any of these suggestions you might have to pack up your contacts and wear only glasses during allergy season.

Digital Eye Strain

Spending long hours on digital devices can lead to digital eye strain. The use of contact lenses can exacerbate digital eye strain.

One of the leading causes of digital eye strain is reduced blinking. When we blink less often, our eyes become drier and fatigue faster. Contact lenses are also naturally drying. When you wear contacts and use screens you are reducing moisture in the eyes on two fronts.

Relieving Digital Eye Strain

Whether you wear contact lenses or not, you can benefit from strategies to reduce digital eye strain.

The most common suggestion is to follow the 20-20-20 rule. This rule states that you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This allows our eyes to rest and diminishes discomfort.

You can also use lubricating drops and wear glasses instead of contact lenses when you are using screens.

Injury

If you have recently injured your eye your contacts will most likely feel painful when worn. Even if the injury doesn’t seem serious, it is likely causing discomfort.

Eye injuries often need moisture and oxygen to heal. Contact lenses will prevent both of these things from entering your eyes. If you have an injury you should not wear contact lenses until it has healed.

Underlying Eye Conditions

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your contacts; it’s with your eyes. Your discomfort can be caused by an underlying conditions.. Left untreated, conditions like blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), dry eye syndrome, or infections can make wearing contact lenses uncomfortable or even unsafe.

If your eyes feel irritated regardless of the contact lenses you try, schedule an eye exam. Your eye doctor can diagnose any underlying issues and help you find a solution that works for your eyes and your vision needs. Depending on the issue, it can be resolved and you can return to irritation-free contact usage.

Don’t Settle for Uncomfortable Contacts

Wearing contact lenses should be a comfortable and convenient part of your daily life. If your contacts are causing eye irritation, it’s time to investigate the cause. Most of the time the solution to your discomfort will be easy and affordable.

Need help with your contact lens comfort? Schedule an appointment with our experienced eye care team today. We’ll help you find contact lenses that keep your vision sharp-and your eyes comfortable.

---

---