Does your vision get blurry or cloudy when you wear contact lenses? There can be several reasons why this happens, and it’s not always because you need a stronger prescription. If you’re experiencing blurry vision with contacts, it could be a simple matter of improper cleaning or a sign of an underlying condition. Alternatively, your vision may be blurry because you’re adjusting to a new prescription. Let’s explore some factors that can cause or contribute to blurry contacts and how you can address them.
What causes contacts to be blurry?
Before you give up on contacts entirely, it’s important to consider the underlying causes of blurry vision with contacts. Here are some common reasons your contacts might not be giving you the clarity you’re looking for:
An outdated prescription
Let’s start with the obvious cause: sometimes your vision has changed, and your current prescription is too weak to provide clear vision. Eyes can change gradually over time, and even a small shift can lead to noticeable blur, especially when you’re driving, reading, or working on a computer.
Improper lens fit
Your contact lenses need to match the shape and size of your eye. If the fit is even slightly off, your lenses may not sit properly on your eyes, causing blurry or unstable vision. An improper fit can also lead to discomfort or long-term eye issues. If you suspect your contact lenses don’t fit properly, our optometrist can perform a variety of precise measurements to ensure an accurate fitting.
Dry eyes
Dry eye is one of the main causes of blurry vision with contact lenses. If your eyes aren’t producing enough quality tears, your lenses can feel sticky or uncomfortable, or cause your vision to fluctuate throughout the day. If your vision clears up when you blink or use artificial tears, dry eye could be the issue.
At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, we can determine if dry eye is contributing to blurry vision and recommend the best solutions. In cases of severe or chronic dry eye, we may have you come into our office for OptiLight IPL therapy, which treats a leading cause of dry eyes.
Buildup on lenses
Over time, lenses can collect protein, oil, and other debris from your tears, creating a cloudy film that affects your vision. This buildup tends to happen more often with monthly or biweekly lenses. If you’re noticing that your contacts seem hazy or less comfortable by the end of the day, your lens cleaning routine or lens replacement schedule could be to blame. Switching to daily disposable contact lenses, or “dailies,” eliminates this problem by providing a clean contact lens every day.
Astigmatism or irregular corneas
Soft lenses can work well for many people, but if you have high astigmatism or an irregularly shaped cornea, they may not provide clear vision or a comfortable fit. In cases like these, a specialty lens might be the better option.
When soft lenses aren’t enough, specialty lenses can help
If traditional contact lenses are uncomfortable or don’t provide adequate vision correction, you’re not out of options. At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, we offer specialty contact lenses in Littleton, Colorado, to address more complex vision problems and to help you see clearly and comfortably again. Our options include:
Scleral lenses
Scleral lenses are larger than soft lenses and rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera) rather than the cornea. Scleral contact lenses are ideal for people with dry eye, keratoconus, or scarring from previous eye conditions. These lenses create a smooth optical surface and hold a layer of fluid against the eye for all-day comfort, hydration, and clear vision.
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses
RGP lenses are smaller and firmer than soft lenses and can provide exceptionally crisp vision, especially for people with high astigmatism or corneal irregularities. They allow plenty of oxygen to reach the eye and maintain their shape, allowing for sharper vision than traditional soft lenses.
Multifocal lenses
If you’re finding it harder to read things up close (especially if you’re over 40), you might have presbyopia, an age-related condition. Multifocal contact lenses allow you to see clearly at all distances without having to reach for reading glasses.
If your contacts don’t feel as comfortable or clear as they used to, please reach out to us today to schedule a contact lens exam in Ken Caryl, CO. Your vision needs may have changed, or you might benefit from a different type of lens altogether.
At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, we take the time to understand your unique needs and recommend the right solution, whether that’s a minor adjustment or a specialty contact lens customized to your exact eye shape and vision requirements. Give us a call or book an appointment online today. We’d love to help you find the perfect-fitting contact lenses for your eyes and your lifestyle.