Why Are My Contact Lenses Blurry | ACUVUE®
Why are my contact lenses blurry?
Blurry contact lenses can happen for several reasons, including dirty lenses and changes to your prescription. This ACUVUE® guide will explore the most common causes of blurry contact lenses and offer solutions for clearer vision.
Common reasons your contact lenses seem blurry
When you apply your contact lenses, the last thing you’d expect is cloudy vision. Contact lenses address refractive errors to provide a clear, comfortable vision, but sometimes things can look a little blurry.
Let’s take a closer look at some causes of blurriness with contact lenses.
1. Allergies
Hayfever and other allergies can cause watery eyes and ocular symptoms.1 The excessive tearing from allergies can interfere with the fit and comfort of the contact lenses, leading to blurry vision.
2. Eye infections
Eye conditions like conjunctivitis, can cause symptoms like redness, watery eyes and grittiness, which can lead to fuzziness while wearing contact lenses.
3. Debris
Debris deposits can accumulate on the lens surface. If you have cloudy contact lenses, they might need cleaning. Cleaning 2-weekly and monthly contact lenses with the appropriate solution is an imperative for comfortable wear.
4. Incorrect prescription
An incorrect or outdated prescription can also cause blurry contact lenses. If it’s been a while since your last eye test, consider booking an appointment with your Eye Care Professional.
New contact lenses feel blurry? Here's why
If your new contact lens is blurry, it may be because your eyes are adjusting to the new prescription. If it persists, ask your Eye Care Professional for advice.
Blurred vision with contact lenses but not glasses
Blurriness with contact lenses but not glasses may be a sign that your lenses are wrongly deposited, are inside-out, or have shifted off-centre. Dryness, incorrect prescription, or astigmatism may also cause blurry vision with contact lenses.
Blurry in one eye? Here’s what it could mean
Discomfort or a blurry contact lens in one eye while wearing contact lenses could be due to various factors.
Right lens, Left Eye
Check your contact lenses are in the correct eyes and if unsure speak to your Eye Care Professional.
A Damaged Lens
Deposits, tears or makeup can lead to a distorted or unclear image. However, if your blurred vision occurs suddenly or you experience pain or discomfort, seek immediate advice from an Eye Care Professional.
How to fix blurry contact lenses: quick tips
If you experience blurry vision with your contact lenses, there are steps you can take to correct or prevent blurry vision.
Hygiene is Key
- Always wash your hands with clean, warm water and dry them completely before application or removal.
- For 2-weekly or monthly contact lenses, use the recommended disinfecting solution, never use water to clean or store your lenses, and never mix solutions.
- For 2-weekly or monthly contact lenses, replace your lens case every few months and keep it clean and dry.
Ongoing Care
- Follow the eye care routine and wearing pattern recommended by your Eye Care Professional and avoid wearing them longer than necessary.
- Keep water away from your lenses. Remove them before swimming, showering, and other activities involving water.
- Use rewetting drops designed for contact lenses to lubricate and to refresh your eyes if they feel dry.
Prevention Over Cure
- Schedule regular checkups with your Eye Care Professional to monitor your eye health and ensure your prescription is up-to-date.
- If you frequently experience cloudy contact lenses, consider switching to daily disposable lenses.
- Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes and lead to dryness. Take frequent breaks and blink repeatedly to avoid dryness.
If you’re experiencing blurriness with contact lenses, stop wearing them immediately and consult your Eye Care Professional as soon as possible. An Eye Care Professional will be able to uncover the root cause and determine if any changes are needed for your contact lens prescription or for the type of lens you are wearing. They can also recommend the right treatment for you if the cause of your blurred vision goes beyond your contact lenses.
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Footnotes
All ACUVUE® contact lenses have UV Blocking to help provide protection against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye. UV absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV absorbing eyewear such as UV absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV absorbing eyewear as directed by your optician.
*T&Cs apply: 1 trial per person. 18+. Professional consultation and fitting fees may apply and are not included. Subject to Optician approval. Participating Opticians only. For full terms and conditions see here.
Important Information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE® Contact Lenses can be used for vision correction. An Eye Care Professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and instructions on proper lens care. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, any eye disease or systemic disease that may affect the eye, or if you are allergic to any ingredients. If you experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems, remove the lens and contact your Eye Care Professional immediately. For detailed information on proper wear, care, warnings and precautions, talk to your Eye Care Professional and carefully read the Instructions for Use available on the Johnson & Johnson website https://www.e-ifu.com/
For any additional information, please visit our ACUVUE® website https://www.acuvue.com/en-gb/important-safety-information/
References
1. National Library of Medicine. Adverse events in allergy sufferers wearing contact lenses. Published 15th June, 2015. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4495118/
2.American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye infections from contact lenses. 11th September, 2024. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/contact-lens-related-eye-infections