There are a number of reasons your contact lenses could feel uncomfortable, and in some cases, there may be more than one cause. So, if you’re wondering why your contacts feel weird, here’s a list of some issues your eye doctor may identify.
Sometimes, contact lens discomfort can happen if your prescription isn’t correcting your vision well enough. This may be caused by an inaccurate fit or vision changes, which can happen subtly or slowly over time. This is why if it’s been more than a year since you last renewed your prescription, it could be time to see your eye doctor to make sure it's up to date.
While from a distance eyes generally look the same, up close, each eye has a unique curve and shape. When your contact lens doesn’t fit the unique shape of your eye correctly, it may cause discomfort.
While it's not common, lenses can get chipped, cracked, or torn. If a contact lens feels uncomfortable, check it to see if the discomfort could be caused by any of these issues, and if so, replace the lens. Your contact lens may also be inside-out. Remember, before you put on each contact lens, check it to make sure it looks like a bowl with straight edges. If it looks like a saucer with flared edges, it's inside out.
Your tears serve multiple purposes. They help protect your eyes from microorganisms and debris, lubricate the surface of your eye, help provide clear vision, and nourish the surrounding tissues. Dry eye occurs when the tear film (made up of oil, water, and mucus) either isn’t sufficient, or evaporates too quickly. It may make your eyes feel gritty, irritated, inflamed, watery or cause blurry vision. If you wear contact lenses and experience dryness symptoms, it may exacerbate the discomfort or cause the lenses to feel like they’re sticking to your eyes more.
If you’re experiencing dryness symptoms frequently when you wear contact lenses, let your eye doctor know. They may perform dry eye assessments, recommend a different type of contact lens, and/or recommend another vision correction type altogether.
Allergens like dust, pollen, mold and pet dander can trigger an immune response in your eyes leading to itching, redness, and discomfort. To make matters worse, allergens can stick to contact lenses, causing your eyes to be in constant contact with the irritant. If you struggle with allergies while wearing contact lenses, talk to your eye doctor. They may recommend daily disposables to ensure you start each day with a fresh pair, or if your allergies are severe enough, they may recommend taking a break from contacts during peak allergy seasons.
Anything that’s not supposed to be on or under your contact lens (really, anything other than contact lens rewetting solution, eye drops approved for use with contact lenses, or multipurpose contact lens solution) can cause irritation, discomfort, and even vision-threatening problems such as infection. That includes:
Always remember to wash your hands with mild soap and dry them thoroughly with a link-free towel before handling your contacts.
Contact lens discomfort can be a sign that something is wrong, especially if it’s persistent or severe. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your eye doctor if your lenses feel uncomfortable. They’re the only one equipped with the expertise to diagnose the source of your discomfort and provide a solution.
The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.
