7 Tips on Getting Used to Your Contact Lenses

Around 125 million people worldwide choose to wear contact lenses for medical or cosmetic reasons. If this is your first time wearing contacts, this blog post contains all that you need to know about the adjustment period.

Most eye care professionals suggest allowing 5 to 10 days for your eyes to adjust to your contact lenses. However, you may get accustomed to them sooner or it might take you longer to get used to them.

Experiencing minor discomfort is natural as you get used to your new lenses. Read ahead to find out about the common side effects you can expect during the adjustment period. We will also discuss some tips on how to make your experience smoother. 

What to Expect When First Wearing Contacts

Inserting a foreign object into your eyes is not an easy task for a lot of people. Most people don’t feel comfortable enough to even touch their eyes and this makes it difficult to comfortably insert contact lenses. Although it takes some time, it is possible for most people to get used to wearing contacts.

Wearing contacts for the first time can be intimidating and you may experience minor discomfort. Here are some of the common side effects experienced by new contact lens users:

Blurry Vision

This is a common issue for new lens wearers. Blurry vision can be caused by dry eyes, a common side effect of wearing lenses. To combat this problem, the best thing you can do is to take it slow and use eye drops to enhance the moisture level of your eyes.

Note: Do not drive or bike while experiencing blurry vision. If you have to travel, remove your contacts and use glasses instead to reduce the risk of an accident.

Excessive Blinking

While your eyes are adjusting to wearing contact lenses, it's normal to blink profusely or have watery eyes. This tends to stop after a couple of days of getting used to your lenses. This issue will resolve itself as you get used to wearing your contacts. 

Eye Fatigue

Adjusting to your new lenses can be a challenge and eye fatigue is a common symptom reported by many. It is advisable to wear contacts for only a couple of hours at a time, especially in the beginning and slowly increase the duration over time. Eventually, you will be able to wear contacts for a full day without experiencing any discomfort. 

Unusual Side Effects

It’s important that you pay particular attention to the following side effects since they can be a sign of an eye disease that needs the intervention of your doctor.

Eye Strain

If you experience eye strain marked by the following symptoms, please remove your contacts immediately and consult your doctor. Eye strain indicates an issue with the type of contact lenses or the length of wear.

• Burning or stinging sensation

•  Double vision
•  Headaches
•  Sensitivity to bright lights
•  Neck or shoulder pain

You could experience eye infections that can lead to irritation, discoloration, or vision disturbances. Infections can be the result of the following:

• Not washing, rinsing, and drying hands before handling contacts
• Not storing contact lenses in a closed lens case right after removing them
• Swimming or using a hot tub while wearing contact lenses
• Overusing eye makeup while you adjust to new contact lenses

Note: If you develop an eye infection stop using your contact lenses immediately and contact your eye care specialist for treatment. You should be prepared to tell him/her the following:

• The type of contact lenses being worn (soft or gas permeable)
• What type of care regimen you use (cleaning, disinfecting, and rinsing solutions) this should include the specific name (manufacturer) of solutions
• How often the lenses are replaced (daily, weekly, monthly)
• When you last wore your lenses
• Whether your vision is affected

Prolonged Discomfort

As we mentioned above, irritation is a common side effect. However, if the irritation continues for more than 12 days or worsens suddenly, this means that the lenses are not suitable for your eye and it is best to discontinue use and contact your eye care specialist immediately.

Should You Be Concerned About the Adjustment Period?

The discomfort or vision issues that arise while adjusting to your contact lenses are usually short-term. Most initial problems will disappear as you get used to wearing lenses. If issues persist, it is better for your eye health to stop wearing the lenses and contact your eye doctor. 

7 Tips to Make Your Adjustment Period More Comfortable

1. Use soft lenses that are very comfortable and easier to adjust to.
2. Take it slow and work your way up to using them for longer durations.
3. Avoid swimming or using a hot tub while adjusting to your lenses.
4. Clean and disinfect your lenses regularly using contact lens solution. 
5. Store your lenses according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
6. Replace them according to the replacement schedule.

You can read our guide on contact lens solutions to learn more about how to clean and disinfect your lenses properly.

Note: You shouldn’t wear unbranded lenses. Trust the experts who have put years into researching and testing to provide you with the safest lenses to use. We offer high quality contact lenses from a range of trust-worthy brands such as Acuvue, Alcon and Freshlook. 

With the information that we have provided, you will be able to enjoy a smoother adjustment period. Always remember to consult your eye specialist if you face any discomfort.