Common Contact Lens Problems

Contact lenses are an excellent vision correction option for millions of people, but they come with a unique set of potential challenges. Many of the most common problems that contact lens wearers experience are preventable, and most have straightforward solutions when properly identified and addressed.

At Upper West Optical, we encourage patients to bring any contact lens comfort or performance concerns to their annual exam rather than simply tolerating discomfort as a normal part of lens wear, because in most cases something better is available.

Comfort and Dryness Issues

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End-of-Day Dryness

The most commonly reported contact lens complaint is dryness that builds over the course of the day. Switching to daily disposables, using rewetting drops, or trying lenses with higher water content often provides significant relief.

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Environmental Dryness

Air-conditioned offices, heated interiors, airplane cabins, and windy outdoor environments accelerate tear evaporation from the lens surface, causing discomfort that is often mistaken for a lens quality issue.

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Screen-Related Dryness

Reduced blink rate during screen use is a major contributor to contact lens dryness. The combination of screen time and lens wear creates a cycle of insufficient lubrication that worsens throughout the workday.

Vision Problems With Contacts

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Blurry Vision

Blurring with contacts can result from an outdated prescription, deposits on the lens surface, a lens that has moved off-center, or dry spots in the tear film disrupting the optical surface of the lens.

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Fluctuating Vision

Vision that clears briefly with blinking but blurs again quickly suggests a tear film problem or lens surface deposit issue rather than a prescription error, and is often resolved with rewetting drops or lens replacement.

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Halos and Glare

Halos around lights, particularly at night, can occur when the lens edge falls within the pupil zone, when the lens has moved, or when deposits have formed on the lens surface affecting its optical clarity.

      Warning Signs That Need Prompt Attention
      Redness that does not resolve within an hour of removing lenses
Pain or significant discomfort after lens removal, suggesting corneal irritation or infection
Unusual discharge, crusting, or stickiness around the eyes while wearing lenses
Sudden blurry vision that does not improve with blinking or rewetting drops
Increased light sensitivity, particularly combined with redness or pain
A foreign body sensation that persists even after removing and reinserting the lens

    

Fit and Lens-Related Issues

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Poor Lens Fit

A lens that fits too tightly restricts oxygen and tear exchange beneath the lens. A lens that is too loose moves excessively with blinking, causing blur and discomfort. Both require a professional refitting to resolve.

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Wrong Lens Type

Not every lens material and design works for every eye. Some patients do better with silicone hydrogel versus traditional hydrogel, or with daily disposables versus monthly, and finding the right match requires professional guidance.

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Overwear

Wearing lenses beyond their scheduled replacement period allows deposits to accumulate on the lens surface, reducing oxygen transmission and increasing the risk of inflammation, infection, and chronic discomfort.

When to Come In for a Contact Lens Review

If you are regularly experiencing dryness, discomfort, or blurry vision with your contact lenses, do not accept it as normal. In most cases, a change of lens material, replacement schedule, or fitting parameters can make a significant difference in how your lenses feel and perform throughout the day.

At Upper West Optical, contact lens reviews are part of our annual exam process, and we welcome patients between appointments if specific concerns arise. Comfortable, healthy lens wear is always the goal, and there is almost always a solution available.