Blurry vision with contact lenses is a common and frustrating issue. This reduction in clarity, making it difficult to focus, can stem from various factors. Understanding these potential causes, from biological responses to environmental influences and lens care habits, is important for maintaining clear and comfortable vision.
Common Biological and Environmental Factors
The natural environment of the eye and external elements frequently contribute to blurry contact lens vision. Dry eyes, a common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly, can significantly impact contact lens comfort and clarity. When the eyes are dry, contact lenses can also dry out, leading to a less smooth surface that can impair vision and even cause the lenses to stick to the cornea. The tear film, which covers the eye, is essential for maintaining the clarity and position of contact lenses; disruptions to this film, often due to dryness, can lead to blurriness.
Allergies also play a role, as airborne allergens like dust, dander, and pollen can adhere to the contact lens surface. This accumulation can cause irritation, redness, and dryness, all of which can disrupt the tear film and result in blurry vision. Environmental irritants such as smoke, pollution, and even dry air from air conditioning can negatively affect eye health and contact lens comfort. These airborne particles can settle on the lenses, forming a layer that causes discomfort and blurred vision by disrupting the tear film’s ability to lubricate and protect the eyes.
Contact Lens Care and Usage Issues
Blurry vision with contact lenses often arises from how lenses are handled, maintained, and worn. Over time, natural tear components like proteins and lipids, along with environmental debris, accumulate on the lens surface. These deposits reduce clarity, cause blurriness, and can lead to eye infections. Using expired contact lenses can also cause blurriness because the lens materials degrade and their shape changes, reducing their effectiveness and oxygen permeability.
Improper cleaning and disinfection routines contribute significantly to vision issues. Not cleaning lenses thoroughly or reusing and “topping off” contact lens solution can lead to bacterial and fungal contamination, causing infections and blurry vision. Overwearing contact lenses beyond their recommended schedule deprives the cornea of oxygen, potentially leading to swelling, discomfort, and blurred vision. This oxygen deprivation, known as corneal hypoxia, can also cause blood vessels to grow onto the cornea in severe cases. Additionally, wearing lenses that are not the correct fit for your eye’s shape, or using the wrong type of contact lens solution, can lead to discomfort, improper lens movement, and blurry vision.
Underlying Eye Conditions
Less common but potentially more serious medical conditions can also cause persistent blurry vision even with contact lenses. Eye infections, such as bacterial keratitis, are inflammations of the cornea that can result from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These infections can cause symptoms including eye pain, redness, discharge, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. If left untreated, keratitis can lead to corneal scarring and potentially permanent vision impairment.
Corneal issues, such as abrasions or other damage to the clear outer layer of the eye, can also cause blurry or cloudy vision. These injuries can create an entry point for microorganisms, leading to infectious keratitis. Other ocular health problems, like changes in the eye’s refractive error, astigmatism, or conditions affecting the retina, can also result in blurry vision that contact lenses may not fully correct. An outdated contact lens prescription can also lead to blurry vision, as eyes naturally change over time.
Seeking Professional Guidance
If you experience persistent blurry vision with contact lenses, or if it accompanies other symptoms, consulting an eye care professional is important. Symptoms that warrant an immediate doctor’s visit include eye pain, unusual redness, excessive tearing or discharge, increased sensitivity to light, or a feeling that something is in your eye. Ignoring these signs can risk long-term damage or serious infections.
During a visit, an eye doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye examination to diagnose the issue. This may involve assessing your tear film quality and quantity, checking the fit of your contact lenses, and evaluating the overall health of your eyes. They can determine if the problem is related to your contact lenses, an outdated prescription, or an underlying eye condition, and then recommend appropriate treatment or adjustments.