Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses placed directly on the surface of the eye, primarily used to correct refractive errors and improve vision. Contact lens wear can sometimes lead to feelings of nausea. This connection is not a direct result of the lens material itself but is usually an indirect consequence of eye strain, visual distortion, or intense ocular discomfort. Nausea is a secondary symptom triggered by a disruption in the body’s sensory systems.
Why Vision Issues Trigger Nausea
The visual system is deeply interconnected with the body’s balance and motion systems, particularly the vestibular system in the inner ear. When vision is compromised or strained, the brain receives conflicting signals about the body’s position in space, including dizziness and nausea. This sensory conflict often occurs when the contact lens prescription is inaccurate, such as being slightly too strong or too weak, or when it fails to properly correct for astigmatism.
An uncorrected or poorly corrected vision issue forces the eyes’ muscles to constantly strain and refocus, leading to visual fatigue. This continuous, excessive effort can trigger tension headaches or migraines, which frequently present with accompanying nausea and light sensitivity. A subtle misalignment between the eyes, known as Binocular Vision Dysfunction, is a common cause of this strain. The brain works overtime to fuse the two slightly misaligned images, generating a disorienting, nauseating feeling.
Physical and Chemical Causes of Discomfort
Nausea can also be triggered by intense pain or irritation in the eye. Contact lenses can lead to severe ocular surface dryness, which causes discomfort, burning, and a gritty sensation. This intense irritation and pain can be systemic, indirectly contributing to feelings of disorientation or nausea.
The body may also react to the materials used to clean and store the lenses. Many multipurpose contact lens solutions contain preservatives, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) or thimerosal, to which a person can develop an allergy or chemical sensitivity. This contact lens solution toxicity causes inflammatory reactions, leading to eye redness, irritation, and pain.
A damaged, torn, or dirty contact lens can physically irritate the eye’s surface, often by accumulating protein deposits. This constant friction may result in conditions like Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, where tiny bumps form under the eyelid, causing a foreign body sensation and pain. Intense eye pain accompanied by sudden blurred vision and nausea can indicate a medical emergency like acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Immediate Steps and Medical Consultation
If you begin to feel nauseous while wearing your contact lenses, remove the lenses and switch to wearing your glasses. Removing the lenses eliminates the source of the visual strain or chemical irritation, allowing the eyes to rest and recover. It is advisable to rest in a dark, quiet environment to allow your nervous system to stabilize.
If the symptoms are mild and disappear shortly after removing the lenses, the issue is likely minor irritation or strain, and you can try a fresh pair later. If the nausea or eye discomfort persists, or if it is accompanied by red flags, professional medical advice is warranted. Seek urgent attention if you experience severe, sudden eye pain, vomiting, or a noticeable loss of vision. For chronic or recurring symptoms, consult your optometrist to verify your prescription, check the lens fit, and rule out conditions like Binocular Vision Dysfunction or solution sensitivity.