Why can’t I see up close with my contact lenses on?

Explore what might cause blurry vision with contacts and the challenges of presbyopia (age-related nearsightedness). If you’re experiencing blurry vision with your contact lenses, reach out to your eye care professional for guidance.

Three common causes of blurry close-up vision with contact lenses

There are a few common reasons that you might be struggling to read or view things up close while you’re wearing your contact lenses. Each has its own solution. For the exact cause, talk to your eye doctor. They can perform an eye exam and provide you with options.

1. Correcting distance vision can impact your close-up vision

Your eyes have focusing ability, meaning they can adjust to what you’re looking at by flexing the lens inside your eye. Contact lenses are designed to focus light rays differently than your eyes do. For example, the most common type of contact lens is what’s called a “single vision” contact lens. This means that the lens corrects one vision issue. The problem is, by correcting the vision issue (difficulty seeing faraway objects clearly) you may create another (difficulty seeing nearby objects clearly). To counteract this effect, you might need to consider different types of vision correction that help with both distances, such as monovision contacts, multifocal contacts, or simply wearing distance vision glasses and removing them when looking at something close up.

2. Your prescription may need to be adjusted

The fit could be off

Your contact lenses need to fit the unique shape of your eyes. If they don’t, they may not stay put or be as effective as you’d like. If the fit of your lenses is wrong, an eye doctor will need to refit you during a contact lens fitting exam.

Prescriptions can change

As you get older, your eyes change, and in turn, your vision may change too. If this happens, your near vision may become blurrier. Always be sure to schedule your yearly eye exam to update your prescription and check on your eye health.

Contact lenses may not come in your exact prescription

It’s also important to understand that your eyeglasses prescription isn’t always directly translatable to contacts. Glasses can be made to precisely fit your prescription, while contact lenses are typically mass produced, which may mean you don’t get your exact prescription (though they’re designed to fit most prescriptions, so this problem is relatively rare). For example, if your glasses prescription is +7.25, you might only find +7.00 or +7.50 in contacts. If this is the case, your eye doctor may need to try a few different strengths to see what works best for you.

3. Presbyopia—it happens to everyone

As we enter our 40s and beyond, many of us start to experience presbyopia. This age-related condition causes the eye’s natural lens to lose flexibility, making it hard to focus on nearby objects. This may mean you have to hold your phone or a menu at arm’s length just to read it. If this is the case, There are options your eye care professional may recommend:

Multifocal contact lenses

What they are:
Multifocal contact lenses provide multiple prescription strengths in one lens, allowing you to focus on objects at different distances without switching lenses
How they work:
There are a few different approaches, but the idea is the same—they give your eyes the ability to focus at different depths, depending on what you’re looking at
Benefits:
These contacts help reduce the need for reading glasses and give you more freedom to enjoy activities without constantly switching between different pairs of eyewear.

Monovision contact lenses

Understanding monovision:
This technique assigns one eye to focus on distance while the other is set for near vision. It might sound strange, but many people adapt well to this arrangement.
How it works:
Your dominant eye is typically corrected for distance, while the non-dominant eye focuses on close objects. The brain then learns how to switch between the two, depending on what you're looking at.
Considerations:
Monovision can take some time to adjust to, and it may not work well for everyone. Depth perception can be affected since each eye is focusing on different distances. Discussing these options with your eye care provider will help you find the best solution for your vision needs.

Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor

If you’re having trouble seeing up close while wearing contact lenses, check in with your eye care professional. They can evaluate your vision and determine whether or not your current lenses are right for you. During an appointment, be open and honest about any difficulties you are experiencing. They may conduct a comprehensive eye exam that includes checking your prescription and evaluating your eye health. If it turns out your prescription needs adjustment or if you're ready to explore multifocal or monovision options, they can guide you in finding the best solution.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can wearing contact lenses affect near vision?

Yes, wearing standard contact lenses for myopia can lead to difficulties with near vision because they primarily improve distance vision. If you're experiencing problems, consult your eye care professional for suitable alternatives.

Why isn't my contact lens prescription the same as my glasses prescription?

Contact lens prescriptions differ from glasses prescriptions due to the lenses sitting directly on the eye. Contact lenses often come in standard powers, which may not match your exact glasses prescription and affect the clarity of your vision.

What is presbyopia, and how can I manage it with contact lenses?

Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects. Options for managing it with contact lenses usually includes multifocal contact lenses or monovision contacts.

What should I do if I’m struggling to see up close with my contacts?

If you are having trouble seeing close up while wearing contact lenses, it’s important to talk to your eye care professional. They can assess your vision and determine if an adjustment to your prescription or a different type of lens would be beneficial.

Are monovision contacts a good option for everyone?

Monovision contacts work well for many people, but they might not be suitable for everyone. Discussing your specific visual needs and preferences with your eye doctor will help determine if monovision is the right choice for you.