Contact lenses are medical devices worn directly on the eye to correct vision. It is natural for new users to feel apprehension about wearing them for the first time and wonder if they will tolerate the sensation. The initial experience is often unfamiliar, but this feeling is a standard part of the adjustment process. Understanding the typical sensations can help ease the transition to contact lens wear.
The Initial Sensation
The immediate feeling of putting in a contact lens is often described as an awareness rather than true pain. Users frequently notice a mild tickle, slight pressure, or the distinct sensation of something present on the eye’s surface. This awareness is a normal response to placing a thin, dome-shaped material on the cornea.
New wearers may experience a temporary increase in tearing or blinking as the eye instinctively tries to wash away the perceived object. This initial irritation typically subsides quickly, often within a few minutes to an hour, as the eye’s natural tear film coats the lens. Minor dryness or itchiness may also occur, but these sensations are temporary and diminish as the eyes adjust.
Why Contact Lenses Feel Unusual
The eye’s immediate reaction to a contact lens is rooted in its natural defense mechanism against foreign objects. Although modern lenses are biocompatible, the cornea interprets the lens’s presence as non-natural, triggering a “foreign body response.” This mechanism causes the heightened sense of awareness that new wearers experience.
The lens also temporarily affects the delicate tear film. The lens rests on this film, altering its flow and stability, which contributes to initial sensations of dryness or awareness. Additionally, when a lens is first inserted, differences in temperature, pH, or osmotic pressure between the storage solution and the eye’s natural tears can cause brief stimulation.
The Adaptation Period
The feeling of “weirdness” is not permanent and fades as the eye adapts to the lens. For most people using soft contact lenses, comfort improves rapidly within the first few days of consistent wear. Over time, the eye’s sensory nerves on the cornea become less sensitive to the lens material, a process often called blunting.
Full adaptation, where the lens is no longer noticeable, generally occurs within one to two weeks. If you wear rigid gas-permeable lenses, the adjustment period may take slightly longer due to the firmer material. To manage this time, eye care professionals often recommend a gradual wearing schedule, starting with just a few hours a day and slowly increasing the duration.
When Discomfort Signals a Problem
While mild initial awareness is normal, certain symptoms indicate a potential issue that requires professional attention. Sharp, persistent pain, which feels different from simple awareness, should be taken seriously. Excessive redness that does not fade after removing the lenses is also a warning sign.
You should immediately remove the lenses and contact your eye doctor if you experience sudden, persistent blurring of vision, unusual discharge, or severe sensitivity to light. These symptoms may signal a problem such as a poor lens fit, a corneal abrasion, or an infection. Never try to push through symptoms that feel concerning or that worsen over time.