Troubleshooting Blurry Vision
The first contact lens complication you might come across is blurry vision. If you purchase a pair of lenses for an event, but you find that you can’t see through them, you’re bound to be disappointed. So, let’s figure out how you can avoid blurry vision and how to fix blurry contacts.
Why are my contacts blurry?
Contact lenses can be blurry for a number of reasons:
- Special Styles- some contact lenses feature special SFX designs. For instance, our blind & mesh lenses cover the entire eye, including the pupil. This means that they will impair your vision, so you should be aware that you won’t be able to see through these lenses before you purchase them.
- Measurements- each lens also features a unique set of measurements. You need to make sure that you pick the right ones for your eyes, so that you don’t experience any discomfort or impaired vision. Some lenses, like our Mini Sclera Lenses, feature a deliberately wide diameter so that more of your eye is covered. When purchasing, you should be aware that these measurements could also lead to a slight blurriness in your vision.
- Prescription- just like with measurements, you need to pick the right prescription for your eyes. Our website stocks plenty of prescription and non-prescription lenses, so make sure that you select the correct prescriptive strength, or you won’t be able to see through the lenses.
- Dryness- another common cause of blurry vision is dryness. If you’ve been wearing the lenses for a while, your eyes might dry out, leading to blurry vision. The dry contact lens fix for this is to keep the lenses hydrated with eye-safe solution and to avoid wearing contacts for any longer than 8 hours at a time.
- Positioning- the other reason why your lenses may be blurry is if you’ve inserted them incorrectly. Lenses should be inserted with clean hands, and you should check that each lens is the right way round before putting it into your eye. If your vision is blurry, try removing the lenses, cleaning them, and then inserting them again. Find out more about inserting your lenses here.
- Damage/Debris- finally, you want to make sure that there are no tears, rips, or dirt on the lenses. Any damage or foreign substance on the lenses could harm your eyes and lead to blurriness. Make sure that your lenses have been checked and prepped before inserting them. Find out more about cleaning your lenses here.
Troubleshooting Discomfort
Fixing blurry vision is all well and good, but what if your eyes hurt? How can we avoid discomfort and stay as safe as possible while wearing lenses? Keep reading for our best tips to avoid contact lens discomfort.
Are Contact Lenses Safe?
The short answer is yes, but contact lenses go into your eyes, which means that you need to be extra sure of their quality before risking your vision. When it comes to contact lens risks, low-quality lenses can lead to blurry vision, discomfort, and even, in extreme cases, corneal infection. This sounds very scary, but there’s good news: you can avoid any discomfort by following the correct steps. Keep reading for the top causes of irritation and the best ways to avoid it.
Why do my eyes hurt? Causes of eye irritation:
- Wrong measurements
- Wrong prescription
- Lenses out of date
- Lenses inserted improperly
- Lenses cleaned improperly
- Damage/debris on the lenses
- Dryness
How to be safe- steps to troubleshoot discomfort:
- Purchase the right lenses- the first step is right at the beginning of your purchasing journey. Make sure that you select the right measurements and prescription for your eyes, and make sure that you pick a duration that lines up with your intended use. E.g. you’ll only be able to use daily lenses once, so don’t buy them expecting to re-use them. Find out more about lens durations here.
- Purchase from the right place- you also want to make sure that you’re buying from a trusted eye care provider. Different companies and manufacturers have different standards for their products, so make sure that you’re buying from a company you trust. On the Coloured Contacts website, we give as much information on the lenses as possible (material, water content, manufacturer, measurements, FDA rating, etc.), so that you can be sure that you’re purchasing the best pair of lenses for you.
- Check the lens packaging- when you first receive your lenses, check that they’re exactly what you expected, and make sure to look for the expiry date on the packaging. Lenses should never be worn after their expiry date.
- Always wash your hands- this one is self-explanatory, but you should only ever handle your lenses with clean and dry hands.
- Check the lenses- you should also examine the lenses themselves and make sure that they’re free of damage or debris. If you notice any tears or rips on the lenses, you should not insert them in your eyes.
- Prep the lenses- before wearing the lenses for the first time, you’ll need to clean them with an eye-safe solution and leave them to soak for at least 2 hours. If you skip this step, you risk hurting your eyes. Find out how to prep your lenses step-by-step here.
- Insert the lenses- finally, make sure that you’re inserting the lenses correctly. Make sure that the lens is the right way round (facing up on your index finger with a soft U shape rather than a sharp V shape). Insert the lens gently and blink a few times to allow it to settle. Read the full insertion tutorial here.
- Consider your environment- there’s a chance that your eye irritation isn’t due to the lenses at all, but that it’s caused by the environment around you. For instance, very hot climates can dry out your eyes. Try to overcompensate by keeping your eyes and lenses hydrated with contact lens solution. If your environment is making your eyes very sensitive, we recommend skipping the lenses for a few days.
Extra Tips:
- DO NOT wear your lenses for any longer than 8 hours at a time
- DO NOT wear your lenses past their expiry date or intended duration
- DO NOT wear your lenses overnight
- DO NOT wear your lenses in the shower or bath
- DO NOT let any foreign substances touch your lenses (not even water)
What if my eyes still hurt?
If you’ve gone through all of the troubleshooting steps and you still can’t figure out why your eyes hurt, there’s a chance that your eyes are particularly sensitive or allergic to something in the lenses themselves. If you’ve tried checking and re-inserting the lenses, and the discomfort persists, we recommend removing your lenses immediately and seeking advice from a trusted eye-care professional. Contact lens allergies are rare, but they can happen, and if our lenses just aren’t right for your eyes, it might be best to be aware of it right away, so that you can stop using them.
We hope that this complete lens troubleshooting guide has been helpful, but if you have any other questions, feel free to contact our customer service team, who are always happy to help!
