Common Causes of Blurred Vision and Eye Irritation Due to Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are safe and convenient, but they bring along quite a few minor annoyances. If you have been wearing contact lenses for long, you may have experienced these little common annoyances at some point in life, which may include eye irritation, itchy eyes, dry eyes, blurry vision, and the constant feeling that something is stuck in your eye.

These eye symptoms may be annoying and frustrating, but they shouldn’t panic you. There are many causes of blurred vision and contact lens irritation, but they aren’t all serious and can be easily taken care of. Read on to know about the possible causes of blurred vision and contact lens discomfort:

Common Causes of Blurred Vision and Eye Irritation Due to Contact Lenses

1. Poor Contact Lens Hygiene
Poor contact lens hygiene increases the risk of contracting eye infections. Unhealthy care techniques that can lead to eye pain and blurred vision are as follows:

• Not cleaning the contact lens properly.
• Letting the contact lens dry out.
• Not washing your hands before placing them into your eyes.
• Sharing your contact lens with others.

2. Faulty Fit
Your eye doctor takes measurements of your eye size and shape to ensure that your contact lens fits you perfectly. However, measurements can go a bit off sometimes.
Improper fit of the eye lens may be the reason for your redness, fluctuations in vision, and itchiness.
If you have these eye symptoms, get your measurement rechecked to ensure that the fit is proper. If left untreated, improper fitting of the lens can cause serious damage to the cornea leading to vision loss.

3. Wearing the Lens for Too Long
If you wear the contact lens for longer than their recommended time period, you may suffer from blurred vision and eye irritation.

If you want to keep the contact lens on for a longer time than recommended, it is advisable to switch over to an extended wear contact lens.

Also, wearing your contact lenses past their expiration date can cause bacterial infections in your eye. So, get in the habit of replacing your contact lenses as often as recommended by your eye doctor.

4. Susceptibility to Environmental Allergens
Pollutants in the air like dust, dander, and pollen may stick to the surface of the contact lens and affect your eyes to cause blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, redness, and dryness.
You have to clean your contact lens frequently to remove the buildup. If cleaning the lens doesn’t help, consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses.

5. Bacterial Infections on Contact Lenses
Microorganisms present in your contact lenses solution or on your contact lenses can cause eye infections, which if left untreated can damage your eyes.

Therefore, if you think your cause of blurry vision, eye pain and irritation is due to an eye infection, it is important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Through an eye exam, your eye doctor will diagnose the infection and treat it accordingly.

6. Accumulation of Debris
Protein and debris deposits can buildup on your contact lenses making them cloudy and dirty. This buildup causes blurred vision. Cleaning your contact lenses is crucial. If blurriness and itchy eyes are due to debris and protein buildup, follow these steps:

• If your contact lenses are in its wear period, first wash your hands, then gently rub your contact lenses with the solution. Then, store them in a fresh solution overnight.
• If you have been wearing the contact lenses past its expiration date, it’s high time you dispose them of, and buy a new set.

7. Dryness of the Eyes and the Contact Lenses
Dryness of your eyes and also of your contact lenses can cause blurred vision and eye irritation. Try these tips, if your eyes or contact lenses feel dry:

• Intentionally blink your eyes a few times.
• Apply rewetting drops or remove and rinse your lenses.
• If you experience dryness often, talk about it to your eye doctor. You may be prescribed contact lenses that are specially designed for chronic dry eyes.

8. Using Non-Hypoallergenic Makeup
Makeup can cause blurred vision and eye irritation. Here’s how you can avoid makeup causing harm to your eyes:

• Choose makeup that is hypoallergenic.
• Ensure that you wear your contact lens before you apply makeup.
• Use cream based makeup instead of powder makeup.
• Discard your eye makeup every 3 months.

Tips to maintain good eye health when using contact lens

• Take off your contact lenses whenever possible to give your eyes a break.
• Buy a new set of contact lenses when your eye doctor recommends it.
• Don’t try to wear the lens longer than prescribed.
• Follow proper care procedures and maintain good hygiene when you clean your lens.
• If you notice symptoms that are unusual, contact your eye doctor immediately.
• See your ophthalmologist at least once a year for a comprehensive eye exam.

Are your contact lenses the reason behind your blurry vision? Are they responsible for your itchy eyes? Request an appointment with Insight Vision Center, and your ophthalmologist in Fresno, CA will be able to help you. Call now!