Under normal circumstances, contact lenses provide people with clear and crisp vision. However, every individual has likely experienced blurry vision at one point or another while wearing contact lenses.
If you’ve ever had blurred vision while wearing your contact lenses, don’t worry. We can help you. In this post, we’ll discuss the most common reasons for blurry vision while wearing contact lenses, as well as the steps you can take to prevent it from happening.
What causes blurry vision when wearing contact lenses?
There are several reasons why you may be experiencing blurry vision while wearing contact lenses, with the most common being:
- Protein buildup
Your contact lenses naturally accumulate proteins and other debris throughout the day as you wear them. These proteins pile up at an increased rate if you wear your contact lenses for an extended period or wear them longer than their recommended replacement schedule.
- Dry eyes
Your eyes’ tear film keeps your eyes moist as you blink. Prolonged contact lens wear can prevent your tear film from adequately functioning, leading to dry eyes. However, dry eyes can also be caused by allergies, extended use of computers and smartphones, and even certain medications like antihistamines.
- Contact lens movement
Your contact lenses can shift or rotate while they’re on your eye, especially if you have astigmatism and you’re wearing toric lenses. If your contact lenses constantly move out of position, that could mean they don’t fit right.
- Eye condition
In some cases, your blurry vision could be a symptom of a more serious eye condition. Eye diseases that can cause blurry vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, corneal abrasions, and conjunctivitis.
How can I prevent blurry vision when wearing contact lenses?
The solution to blurry vision while wearing contact lenses will depend on the root cause of the problem. Here are some steps you can take to keep your vision clear when wearing contact lenses.
- Clean your contact lenses.
Make a habit of properly cleaning your contact lenses. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses, and always use the rub-and-rinse method to remove protein and bacteria buildup, even when using a no-rub solution. You can also use an enzymatic protein remover to eliminate buildup on your lenses.
- Use artificial tears or lubricant eye drops.
If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, you can apply artificial tears or lubricant eye drops to your eyes throughout the day. These products contain moisturizing agents that help alleviate the effects of dry eyes. Just make sure you consult your eye care professional (ECP) about which brands are safe to use with contact lenses.
- Switch to better-fitting contact lenses.
Consult your ECP about switching you to contact lenses with a better fit if your current contact lenses are constantly shifting out of position. Proper contact lens fit is crucial because it helps provide you with clear and stable vision, especially if you have astigmatism.
- Get a comprehensive eye exam.
Your blurry vision might be the result of something other than dirty contact lenses or dry eyes. If you still have blurry vision despite all your efforts to prevent it from happening, you may have an undiagnosed and severe eye condition. In this case, it’s best to consult your ECP and get a comprehensive eye exam. This way, they can diagnose what is causing your blurry vision.
Conclusion
More often than not, blurry vision while wearing contact lenses is a preventable issue. All it takes is a little effort on your part. However, if you’ve done everything you can and you still have blurry vision, consult your ECP immediately.
Resources:
https://www.perfectlens.ca/articles/how-to-fix-blurry-contacts
https://www.perfectlensworld.com/articles/why-are-my-contacts-blurry-5-fixes-common-problems
