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Core Insights:
- Properly inserted contact lenses should feel like nothing at all.
- Most contact discomfort has a simple, identifiable cause.
- Four quick checks can diagnose lens discomfort in seconds.
- Six common issues explain most contact lens discomfort.
- Certain symptoms signal a medical emergency requiring immediate care.
When contact lenses are correctly prescribed, fitted, and cared for, they can provide clear, comfortable vision. Contact lenses should be comfortable. If your lenses feel scratchy, dry, irritated, or painful, something isn't right. While mild lens awareness is common when you're first adjusting to new contacts, ongoing discomfort is not something you should ignore.
The good news is that most causes of contact lens discomfort can be identified and treated. Here are six of the most common reasons your contacts may not feel comfortable, and what you can do about them.
Quick Checks to Do Before Anything Else if Your Contacts Feel Weird
There can be a number of reasons for uncomfortable contact lenses and weird feelings in the eye, ranging from trapped dust and dryness to an inverted lens. There’s no reason to panic; you can perform these few basic checks that can quickly identify and resolve the issue.
Is the lens inside out?
Look at the lens on your fingertip. A correct lens forms a bowl with edges pointing up, while an inside-out lens flares outward like a saucer. This is sometimes called the taco test, since a properly curved lens folds like a taco shell when gently pinched. Vision usually stays fairly clear either way, but the lens feels unstable, and the edges are noticeable.
Is there debris under the lens?
A bit of dust, a speck of makeup, or an eyelash trapped under the lens feels sharp and scratchy. Rinse the lens with fresh contact solution. Never use water or saliva. Once your eye feels normal again, you can reinsert the lens.
Is the lens damaged?
Hold the lens up to the light and check the edges for tears, nicks, or ragged spots. Even a small tear can scratch your cornea. A torn lens should never be reinserted. If you spot any damage, discard the lens and use a fresh one instead.
Has the lens shifted or folded?
A contact lens can slide off-center or fold in under your eyelid. This is known as a dislodged lens. Look in a mirror, blink a few times, and use rewetting drops to help it settle back into place. A contact lens cannot get lost behind your eye.
Why Does My Contact Feel Weird? 6 Reasons and How to Fix the Problem
Sometimes you may need to adjust a contact lens because it’s uncomfortable or just feels weird. There are a few reasons for discomfort, but you should not even be aware of a properly inserted contact lens. Let’s review the causes of a weird contact lens feel and how to correct them.
1. You’re not caring for your lenses properly
Lens care matters. This is something you are putting into your eye. Properly caring for and cleaning your lenses are instrumental in ensuring that the lenses will be comfortable to wear (and healthy for your eyes) tomorrow. Throughout the day, your lenses can accumulate bacteria, eyeliner and other makeup, traces of hair products, and even perfume. These impurities cause problems with comfortable wear and interfere with your lenses’ ability to function properly. Even something as simple as not washing your hands before you remove or insert your lenses could be causing your problem. In any case, consulting your eye doctor and setting aside a firmer routine for lens care can help pave the way to higher levels of comfort and hygiene in the future.
2. Your lenses are not properly fitted
Lens fit matters, too. Your eye is like your fingerprint, in that it’s completely unique. Eye doctors work through a variety of tests, measurements, and processes when fitting your lenses. If you always feel as if you have something in your eye, improper lens fit could be the problem. Fitting issues are a common culprit, especially in instances when the patient is only having problems with discomfort in one eye. It’s possible that one lens might fit right, but the other might be a bit off. Make sure you consult with an eye care practitioner that is specialized in fitting contact lenses to make sure you are wearing the best lens for the unique shape of your eye.
3. You aren’t taking your lenses out frequently enough
When you got your contact lenses, your local eye doctor probably told you how frequently to take them out, how often to clean them, and how long to go before replacing them with new lenses. If you aren’t following these tips, then discomfort and irritation will likely arise. If you aren’t supposed to wear your lenses while you sleep but have been keeping them in overnight, then that’s probably the cause of your discomfort. Similarly, if you are using lenses that have expired or reached the end of their recommended lifespan, not replacing them out could lead to anything from itchiness to infection.
4. You are suffering from an eye infection
Perhaps the top reason to consult your eye doctor about discomfort or pain associated with your contact lenses is an eye infection. Wearing contacts can increase the risk of bacteria getting into your eye and causing an infection. If left untreated, these infections can escalate in severity—to the point where they permanently damage your vision. If you are experiencing any pain, discomfort or redness with your current lenses, make sure you see your eye care practitioner immediately.
5. Your eyes are dry
No one would be able to adequately tolerate any type of lens if their ocular surface is dry. Dry eye disease is an extremely common and treatable problem. In order to maximize comfort and vision with any type of lens, it is important to make sure the ocular surface is well lubricated. If you are experiencing any form of discomfort with your current lenses, make sure you speak to your eye care practitioner about available treatments for dry eyes.
6. You aren’t wearing the right type of lens
If you can’t seem to find lenses that fit, then there is a chance you just aren’t wearing the right type of lenses. For instance, if your corneas are irregularly shaped, you aren’t going to have much luck finding soft lenses that fit right. Talking to an eye doctor that works with specialty lenses like scleral lenses or custom designed lenses can give you a better (and more comfortable) solution to your vision problem.At Weston Contact Lens Institute, specialty lenses are our specialty. To get help with discomfort caused by contact lenses, call us today and schedule your first appointment.
When to Take the Lens Out and Call a Doctor
Mild weirdness that resolves after the quick checks is usually nothing to worry about. But some symptoms are red flags. Remove the lens immediately and call us if you experience sharp pain, worsening redness, discharge, light sensitivity, or blur that doesn't clear after removal. These symptoms can signal a corneal abrasion or infection, both of which may threaten your vision if left untreated. We offer same-day appointments for exactly this reason, so don't wait to be seen if something feels seriously wrong.
Advanced Dry Eye Care at Weston Contact Lens Institute
A contact lens should feel like nothing at all, so a weird feeling is information, not something to push through. Most causes are simple: an inside-out lens, debris, dryness, or an overdue replacement, and the quick checks above catch them in seconds. Persistent or painful symptoms point to something more, whether it's fit, infection, or simply the wrong lens type for your eyes.
Comfortable contact lenses are possible, and you shouldn't have to settle for anything less. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we specialize in evaluating patients with contact lens discomfort, dry eye, keratoconus, and other complex eye conditions. Whether you need a better-fitting lens, treatment for an underlying eye condition, or a specialty contact lens, we'll help you find the solution that's right for you. Schedule a consultation today or call us at (954) 217-2992, and let us help you enjoy clear, comfortable vision again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my contacts suddenly feel uncomfortable?
Contact lenses that were once comfortable may become irritating because of dry eye, allergies, changes in your prescription, protein buildup, or an underlying eye condition. A proper eye examination can determine the cause.
Can I take a 20-minute nap with contacts in?
Eye care specialists strongly oppose sleeping with standard contact lenses, even for a few minutes. It deprives your eyes of oxygen and traps bacteria. The risk of developing an eye infection is simply not worth the convenience. Always remove your lenses before sleeping, even for a quick nap.
What should I expect the first time I wear contact lenses?
Mild lens awareness is normal during the first few days of wearing contact lenses. However, significant pain, redness, excessive tearing, or blurred vision are not normal and should be evaluated by your eye doctor.
Can allergies make contact lenses uncomfortable?
Yes. Seasonal allergies can make contact lenses feel itchy, dry, or uncomfortable by increasing inflammation on the surface of the eye. If allergies are affecting your comfort, your eye doctor may recommend changes to your lens type or allergy treatment.
