Your contact lens might be blurry due to several reasons, ranging from simple to more complex. Here's a breakdown of potential causes:
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Change in Prescription: Your vision may have changed since your last eye exam, rendering your current contact lens prescription inaccurate. This is one of the most common reasons for blurry vision.
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Deposits on the Lens: Proteins, lipids, and other substances from your tears can accumulate on the lens surface, creating a film that distorts vision. This is often referred to as "dirty" lenses.
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Dry Eyes: Insufficient tear production can lead to dryness, causing the contact lens to dehydrate and change shape, resulting in blurred vision.
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Allergies: Seasonal or environmental allergies can cause eye irritation and excessive tear production, paradoxically leading to blurry vision as the tears wash away the tear film and contribute to deposit buildup.
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Infections: Eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or keratitis (corneal inflammation) can cause significant blurring and discomfort.
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Other Eye Health Problems: Underlying eye conditions such as astigmatism, cataracts, or glaucoma can contribute to blurry vision, even with contact lenses.
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Lens is Inside Out: Ensure you're wearing the contacts right side out. An inside-out lens might feel uncomfortable and cause blurriness.
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Torn or Damaged Lens: A tear or other damage to the contact lens can significantly affect vision.
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Clean Your Lenses: Properly clean and disinfect your contact lenses using the recommended solution.
- Re-wetting Drops: Use lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) to combat dryness.
- Inspect for Damage: Carefully examine your lenses for any tears or imperfections.
- Rest Your Eyes: Take a break from wearing contacts to see if your vision improves.
- Schedule an Eye Exam: If the blurriness persists, consult your eye doctor to rule out any underlying issues and update your prescription.
When to See a Doctor Immediately:
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden and severe vision loss
- Eye pain
- Redness
- Discharge from your eye
- Sensitivity to light
