How to Deal With Uncomfortable Contact Lenses

Wearing contact lenses should not cause any pain or discomfort to the wearer. In fact, contact lens wearers should not even feel the contact lenses in their eyes. If your contact lenses are uncomfortable, however, there are some things that you can do to help make your lenses comfortable again.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Remove the uncomfortable contact lens from your eye and clean it with contact lens solution. You should rinse the lens with contact solution and then rub the lens with your fingertip to remove any dirt or other particles that may have stuck to the lens. This will usually solve the problem and make your contact lenses more comfortable.
2. Use eye drops. If you have uncomfortable contact lenses, consider putting some contact lens solution directly in your eyes. This can loosen any foreign particles stuck to the lenses and make your contact lenses feel better. If your eyes feel dry, contact lens solution or eye drops formulated especially for contact lens wearers can also make you more comfortable.
3. Try not wearing your contact lenses for a day and wearing your glasses instead. This will let your eyes rest and allow the lenses to get a good soak in their case, both of which can make uncomfortable contact lenses comfortable again.
4. Switch out your contact lenses to a new pair. If your contact lenses are causing you discomfort, examine the lenses closely. If they have dirt on them that you can't remove using the instructions in Step 1, if you see a tear in one of your contact lenses or if your lenses continue to remain uncomfortable, consider using a new pair of contact lenses. If you have disposable lenses, just throw away the uncomfortable lenses and use a fresh pair instead.
5. See your eye doctor. If you can't get your contact lenses to feel comfortable again or if even switching to a fresh pair of lenses doesn't help, it is probably time for you to visit the doctor. Your doctor may find that you are wearing the wrong prescription, that the lenses don't fit your eyes well or that you should be wearing a different brand of lenses altogether. You may also have medical problems that can cause contact lenses to feel uncomfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to always clean your contact lenses well to prevent protein buildup, which can make your contact lenses feel uncomfortable.
• Always handle your contact lenses with clean hands to prevent the lenses from getting dirty.
• Follow all of your healthcare provider's instructions for the wear and care of your contact lenses.
• The information in this article is not meant to serve as a substitute for regular medical advice and care. Please consult your own personal eye doctor if you have any concerns about your eye health.