When you start wearing contact lenses, your eyes need some time to adjust. This adjustment period is different for everyone, but a comprehensive contact lens exam and fitting ensures you start with the right lens for your eyes.
Your eyes and brain work together to adapt to new contact lenses. Most people adjust within a few days to two weeks. However, this timeline can depend on your prescription, the type of contacts you wear, and how well you follow the recommended schedule for replacing your contact lenses.
Your Typical Adjustment Timeline
Various factors contribute to how long it takes for your eyes to adjust to new contacts. For instance, the material of the lens and your specific vision needs play a large role. While soft lenses often feel natural almost right away, other other types of contact lenses can require more patience.
Timelines for Different Lens Types
Soft contact lenses are a popular choice because they are flexible and allow oxygen to move freely to your eye. This design usually leads to a quick adjustment period of just a few days.
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are firmer, offering very crisp vision, but they can take a few weeks to feel comfortable.
Normal Sensations & Side Effects to Expect
It’s very common to notice a few temporary sensations as your eyes adapt. Think of it like breaking in a new pair of shoes—a little awareness at first is normal. These feelings are usually mild and fade as you wear your lenses more consistently.
Slightly Blurry Vision
Your vision might seem a bit fuzzy when you first put your lenses in. This often happens if your eyes are slightly dry. If the feeling persists, it could be a sign of an underlying issue, and we can discuss treatment options like dry eye therapy. Using rewetting drops approved for contact lens wearers can often help clear things up quickly.
Mild Discomfort & Tearing
You may feel like there’s something in your eye, which can cause you to blink more often and may result in watery eyes. This is a normal reaction to a new object on the surface of your eyes. Rinsing the lens with fresh contact lens solution can sometimes resolve minor irritation.
Eye Fatigue
Your eyes might feel a bit tired or strained as they learn to work with the lenses. This is a typical part of the adjustment process. The feeling should go away as your eyes get more comfortable with your contacts.
Tips for a Smooth & Easy Transition
You can help your eyes adjust more quickly with a few simple, consistent practices. A good routine helps make wearing contacts feel like second nature. These habits support both comfort and eye health.
Start with a Gradual Wear Schedule
We recommend starting with just a few hours of wear on your first day. You can add an hour or two each following day. This gives your eyes a chance to adapt slowly without feeling overwhelmed.
Practice Good Lens Care & Hygiene
Keeping your lenses clean is a key part of happy contact lens wear. Following guidelines for proper contact lens care helps prevent irritation that can slow down your adjustment and affect your eye health.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before you handle your lenses.
- Use only the cleaning solution recommended for your specific type of contacts.
- Follow the replacement schedule for your lenses to keep them fresh and comfortable.
Get the Right Fit from Your Eye Doctor
A successful transition begins with a professional lens fitting. When lenses are tailored to your eyes’ shape and size, you’re much less likely to experience issues. A thorough exam from your eye doctor can help you get the correct lens and prescription for your needs.
Signs That Require a Follow-Up
While mild, temporary sensations are normal, some symptoms suggest your lenses may not be the right match. It’s important to pay attention to how your eyes look and feel. Let us know if anything seems off, especially after the first week.
What It Means If Discomfort Continues
If you experience redness, sharp pain, or a scratchy feeling that doesn’t improve after a couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to check in with your optometrist. The lens material or fit might need a small adjustment.
How to Recognize Eye Strain
Eye strain feels different from simple eye fatigue. It may be related to an improper prescription or even digital eye strain from screen use, and it may show up as:
- A burning feeling in your eyes
- Headaches
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Pain that extends to your neck, back, or shoulders
Signs of a Possible Eye Infection
Persistent irritation, unusual eye discharge, or sudden vision changes can be signs of an infection. Also, never swim, shower, or use a hot tub while wearing your contacts.
Adjustment for Specialized Contact Lenses
Some contacts are designed for specific vision needs, and these can sometimes take a little longer to get used to. Your eyes and brain need extra time to learn how to work with them. Patience is an important part of the process.
Get Used to Lenses for Astigmatism
Contacts for astigmatism, also called toric lenses, need to sit on your eye in a specific orientation to provide clear vision. It may take a little time for them to settle into the correct position. You might notice brief moments of blurriness if they rotate slightly.
Adapt to Multifocal Contacts
Multifocal lenses have multiple prescription zones to correct vision at different distances, often for those with presbyopia. It takes time for your brain to learn how to switch between these zones seamlessly. The adjustment period can sometimes last a few weeks, and you may notice some glare around lights at night during this time.
Schedule a Contact Lens Exam & Fitting
Adjusting to contact lenses is a short-term process with long-term benefits. At Total Vision Lake Elsinore, your eye doctor is here to support you every step of the way.
If you have questions about your new contacts, schedule a visit with our team today.
