Blurry contacts: causes and remedies

Contacts can make life so much easier than wearing glasses. Over 45 million Americans wear contacts, and while most people don’t have any issues, sometimes problems happen. One recurring issue that many contact wearers have is blurry contact lenses. Blurry vision with contacts can lead to frustration, stress, and difficulty completing everyday tasks, especially if it keeps happening.

Sometimes, they can even cause contact wearers to go back to glasses! Fortunately, there are ways to fix it. It all depends on the original cause of the problem.

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Why do contact lenses get blurry and how to fix them

There are several possible causes and solutions to blurry vision while wearing contacts. First, let’s tackle how to fix blurry contacts.

Dirty lenses

One of the leading causes of blurry contact is dirty lenses from protein buildup. Wearing contacts for longer than is recommended can lead to protein deposits on the lenses. These deposits can blur your vision and possibly lead to further eye health problems.

What to do: if you have dirty lenses, the easy solution is to take them out and clean them. Use a cleaning solution to rinse your lenses and clear up any tough deposits. If you’re not at home and dealing with very dirty lenses, wash your hands first. Take your lenses out one at a time, and gently roll each one between your fingers with plenty of contact solution. Even with careful cleaning, your contact lenses should be replaced according to the recommended schedule prescribed by your doctor (daily, two-week, or monthly disposable). This will minimize buildup and reduce the chance of damage to the eyes.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can lead to blurry contacts, among other issues. From irritation to stuck lenses, dry eyes are often the culprit, and blurry lenses are no exception. Blink your eyes to tell if dry eyes are why your lenses are blurry. If your vision gets a little better, dry eyes are the culprit.

What to do: constantly dry eyes can be irritating. Fortunately, there is a simple solution. Using artificial tears or rewetting eye drops to rehydrate your contact lenses is a quick way to get your vision back where it should be. If this is a recurring problem, you may have chronic dry eyes. There are a variety of brands of contact lenses for dry eyes that can help, so ask your doctor about other contact options. In addition, dryness derived from contact lenses tends to get worse as the lenses get older; in other words, be sure to replace your lenses as recommended.

A Change in Prescription

As people age, their eyesight often deteriorates. While this is completely natural, it can be annoying. This is a gradual occurrence. One day you may notice that your vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be.

What to do: the best way to deal with this is to simply see your doctor. They can give you a new eye exam and determine if an outdated prescription is the cause of your blurry contacts.

Eye Health Issues

Sometimes, the causes of blurry contacts are not the contacts. It may be an indicator of a more serious eye health problem. Corneal swelling, infection, and other issues can lead to blurry vision.

What to do: health issues like corneal swelling, infection, and other issues can lead to blurry vision. These conditions can be dangerous and considered a medical emergency. If your vision is still blurry after removing your contacts, see your doctor immediately!

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Should contacts be blurry at first?

When you start with a new prescription, there may be an adjustment period. Your eyes need time to adjust to the new prescription strength of the lenses, resulting in blurry contacts. This is normal. You might even experience fuzzy vision if the lens needs a few seconds to align perfectly, but it won't last more than a second or two.

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Contact lens blurry in one eye

If you have a contact lens blurry in one eye, this could be due to a few things:

• The contact lens is not sitting in the correct position on the eye to refract the light properly.
• If you have astigmatism and use toric lenses, check that you aligned the axis of your lens and your eye.
• Your prescription may not have been correct from the beginning.

With these common reasons for blurry contacts and related solutions, you can feel more confident in figuring out why your vision is blurry, cloudy, or hazy. After you have tried the recommendations above and your problem persists, see your doctor to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.