Contact lenses offer a convenient and effective way to correct vision. Clear vision depends on maintaining lenses and adhering to proper care guidelines. Old or improperly maintained contact lenses can lead to blurry vision, signaling underlying issues that affect visual clarity and eye health. Addressing these concerns promptly preserves vision and ensures comfortable contact lens wear.
Why Contacts Cause Blurry Vision Over Time
As contact lenses age, various factors can compromise their optical clarity and lead to blurry vision. A primary reason is the accumulation of deposits on the lens surface. The eye naturally produces proteins, lipids, and calcium, which build up on the lens over time, creating a hazy appearance that scatters light. Even with careful cleaning, these deposits can persist and affect vision.
Beyond deposits, the contact lens material can degrade and dehydrate. Lenses are designed to retain moisture and optical properties; however, prolonged wear or exposure can cause them to dry out or warp. This loss of moisture and structural integrity impacts how light passes through the lens, leading to distorted or blurred images. Microscopic scratches or tears from handling can also scatter light and impair vision.
An improper fit can also contribute to vision instability and blurriness. Over time, the eye’s shape can change, or a lens might shift out of place due to blinking or rubbing. A contact lens that is too loose, too tight, or ill-fitting will not sit correctly on the cornea, causing vision to fluctuate or appear unclear. Regular monitoring of lens fit ensures optimal comfort and visual performance.
Health Risks of Using Expired or Damaged Contacts
Using old, expired, or damaged contact lenses poses health risks beyond blurry vision. Expired lenses can harbor bacteria and other contaminants, increasing the risk of eye infections like bacterial conjunctivitis, fungal infections, or parasitic infections. These infections can lead to conditions such as corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea that can cause pain, vision impairment, and permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Older lenses have reduced oxygen permeability. The cornea, which receives oxygen directly from the air, can suffer from hypoxia—a state of oxygen deprivation—when covered by a lens that does not allow sufficient airflow. This can lead to corneal swelling (edema), blurred vision, and issues like the growth of new blood vessels into the cornea, called corneal neovascularization.
Deposits on lenses and material breakdown can trigger inflammatory and allergic reactions. One common reaction is Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC), where the inner surface of the eyelid becomes irritated, swollen, and develops bumps. GPC can cause excess mucus, itching, and a feeling of something in the eye, sometimes leading to blurry vision due to mucus adhering to the lens. Irritation from damaged lenses or accumulated deposits can also cause microscopic abrasions on the cornea, making the eye more vulnerable to infection.
Maintaining Clear Vision and Eye Health with Contacts
Maintaining clear vision and eye health with contact lenses requires adherence to proper care routines and professional guidance. Following the recommended replacement schedule for lenses, whether daily, biweekly, or monthly, is important. Daily disposable lenses are designed for single use and should be discarded after one day, offering a fresh, clean pair each time, which reduces the risk of infection. Reusable lenses require consistent cleaning and disinfection after each wear.
Proper cleaning and storage techniques are essential for reusable lenses. This involves washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling lenses, using only fresh, recommended contact lens solution for cleaning and rinsing, and never using tap water or saliva. The lens case should also be cleaned with fresh solution, allowed to air dry upside down, and replaced every three months to prevent bacterial buildup. Never “topping off” old solution with new, as it reduces disinfection effectiveness.
Regular comprehensive eye examinations with an eye care professional are vital for contact lens wearers. These exams help ensure lenses fit correctly, the prescription is current, and eyes remain healthy, allowing for early detection and management of issues like dry eye syndrome, corneal inflammation, or infections. Unless approved by an optometrist, sleeping in lenses should be avoided due to the increased risk of complications. Prompt professional attention is warranted for symptoms such as redness, pain, or persistent blurriness, as these can indicate an eye problem.