Why does my vision get blurry while wearing contact lenses?

If you’ve put on your contact lenses, only to notice that your vision wasn’t as clear as you were expecting, it may be time to reach out to your eye care professional. Learn common causes of blurry vision while wearing contacts, and solutions your eye care professional may recommend.

Five possible causes of blurred vision with contact lenses

1. Outdated prescription

Your eyes change over time, and because of this, your prescription can change too. If this happens, you may notice that the contact lenses you’re wearing just aren’t working as well as they used to. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you schedule yearly eye exams—by keeping your prescription up to date, you and your eye doctor can help make sure your vision stays clear.

2. Lens doesn’t fit correctly

Not all contact lenses are created equal. Sometimes, the size or shape of the lenses don't match the size and shape of your eyes. If the fit is bad, the lenses can shift or move around, leading to blurry vision. Communicating with your eye doctor, especially around the time of a contact lens fitting, is important for helping them figure out the best fit for your eyes.

3. Dirty contacts

Protein and debris can build up on contact lenses over time, especially if they are not cleaned properly. Always follow the wear and care instructions your eye doctor gave you, because not doing so can not only lead to dirty contact lenses, but also serious eye issues. Wearing daily disposable lenses can be a simple way to ensure you start each day with a fresh pair of lenses—no cleaning necessary.

4. Dry contacts

There are a number of reasons your contact lenses might dry out. For example, it could be caused by a low humidity level outside, or it could be a sign you aren’t properly following the contact lens wear and care routine your eye doctor gave you. Also, when you use digital devices, you blink less, which may lead to feelings of eye dryness and dry contact lenses. If you think your blurry vision may be because of dry contact lenses, ask your doctor if they would recommend rewetting drops for use with your contact lenses.

5. Eye health issues

Things like allergies, dry eye syndrome or eye infections can all make your vision blurry when wearing contact lenses. If your contacts feel uncomfortable and you have blurred vision, see your eye doctor to rule out any serious conditions. Don’t wait—eye infections may need to be treated immediately to prevent any serious or permanent eye damage.

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Ways to help prevent blurry vision with contacts

Keep your prescription up to date

Make sure you schedule your yearly contact lens fitting to renew your prescription. Your eye doctor will check your prescription and adjust, if needed. Your yearly fitting is also a great way to stay proactive about vision care. It can help catch any issues early on and detect other systemic diseases like diabetes.

Make sure to follow your cleaning instructions

Your eye doctor has your eye health in mind. The contact lens care routine they provide helps make sure your contact lenses are disinfected from microbes and stay free of debris and buildup. Getting into a good routine can help make sure the cleaning steps are second nature. If you struggle to maintain reusable lenses, ask your eye care professional about daily disposables—that way you can start each day with a fresh pair of lenses.

Hydrate your eyes

If your eyes feel dry, eye drops specifically designed for contact lenses may help you feel immediate relief. Using a humidifier, if the air is too dry, may also help. Lastly, if you spend a lot of time looking at digital screens, remember to blink and take breaks, following the 20/20/20 rule—every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Your eye doctor is there to help

The bottom line is, if you’re experiencing blurry vision while wearing contact lenses, the best person to diagnose the issue and make a plan is your eye doctor. Remember, the blurriness is persistent, or if you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, take your contact lenses out and contact your eye care professional.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is blurred vision with contact lenses common?

Yes, many people experience blurry vision with contacts at some point. It's important to identify the cause to address any underlying issues, so reach out to your eye doctor if the blurriness is persistent or accompanied by pain or discomfort.

What should I do if my vision is blurry after taking my contacts out?

If your vision remains blurry after removing your contact lenses, and stays blurry even when you’re wearing your glasses, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to rule out underlying health conditions that need attention.

What if I have blurred vision after sleeping with my contacts on?

Sleeping with your contacts on is never recommended unless your eye doctor specifically prescribes you lenses that are made to be worn while sleeping. If you slept in your contact lenses and are experiencing blurry vision, get in touch with your eye doctor. Sleeping in contacts can increase the risk of eye infection, which can put your eye health at risk.

How long can I wear my contact lenses?

It varies depending the type of lenses you have. Follow the guidelines provided by your eye doctor, because wearing your contact lenses longer than you’re supposed to can be dangerous for your eyes.

Should I see an eye doctor if the blurriness persists?

Definitely. If you’re experiencing blurry vision consistently, reach out to your eye doctor—they’re the only person qualified to figure out the source of the blurry vision and help correct it.