Why Do My Contacts Feel Scratchy? 8 Ways to Keep Your Contacts Comfortable – Part 3
This is the final part of our 3-Part series about scratchy-feeling contacts. We’ll discuss problems related to your actual contact lenses: contact lens fit and wearing contact lenses too long.
7. Contact Lens Fit
Contact lenses come in different sizes! But most of us never realize that. Our optometrist does all the work measuring and ordering the right size lenses for our eyes. If your lenses don’t feel comfortable, like sliding around or feel itchy, it’s worth asking your optometrist to make sure the size is right.
Remember, contact lens wearers should have a contact lens exam every year. This is for the health and protection of your eyes. Contact lenses are medical devices. Even if you have extra lenses left, it’s always a good idea to make that annual contact lens exam. Then you can make sure the prescription and size lenses you are wearing are still the healthiest for your eyes.
8. Wearing Your Contacts Too Long
Contact lenses come in a variety of wear-lengths. Some can be kept in your eyes for days at a time, others are designed to go in each morning and out each night. If you try to wear a one-day lens for two-days, the results can be painful. Likewise, if you try to wear your weekly lenses for a few extra days, you may also find yourself with irritated, red, or scratchy feeling eyes.
The comfort level of your eyes is the best indicator as to how long you should keep those contact lenses in. This is even when the time is less than the recommended wear time on the lenses. If weekly lenses start to feel irritating, take them out over night, clean and sterilize them. Let your eyes breathe for twelve hours. If you find that it’s difficult to make it all day with a pair of daily contact lenses or extended wear lenses that you clean after each wear—then talk to your optometrist about trying a different brand of contact lenses.
Contacts are designed with varying levels of breathability and moisture. Experimenting with different brands will help you find the lenses that work best with your eyes and feel most comfortable for the longest amount of time.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this 3-Part series on “Why Contact Lenses Feel Scratchy?” Missed part of it? Check out Part 1: Dry Eyes, Allergies & Inflammation and Part 2: Foreign Body in Eye, Makeup in Eye, and Scratches. You don’t have to live with contact lens discomfort. Talk to the licensed optometrist at your closest America’s Best about what could be causing your discomfort and how to get your lenses feeling great again.
