So, you finally ditched the glasses and got yourself a pair of contact lenses.
Exciting, right?
But then, bam! You put them in, and suddenly, everything feels… weird. Your eyes feel dry, maybe a little itchy. Your vision? Not as crisp as you expected. And now you’re wondering, How long does it take for contacts to feel normal?
Totally normal reaction. Adjusting to wearing contacts isn’t instant for most people. Some lucky ones adapt in a day or two, while others take a couple of weeks. Your experience depends on a bunch of factors, lens type, eye sensitivity, how often you wear them, and whether or not you’re blinking like you just saw a ghost.
Let’s break it all down so you know exactly what to expect and, more importantly, how to speed up contact lens adjustment.
Do Contacts Feel Weird at First? (Yes, and That’s Okay)
Short answer? Yep.
At Fresh Lens, we get it, popping in contacts for the first time can feel a little strange. But don’t worry! Knowing what’s normal and what’s not makes all the difference.
- Mild irritation: Normal. Your eyes are adjusting.
- Discomfort wearing contacts the first time: Also normal. It’ll fade away soon.
- Blurry vision with new contacts: Give it a few hours. If it doesn’t clear up, check if they’re inside out (it happens).
- New contact lens irritation that gets worse: Not normal. Take them out. Rinse. If it keeps happening, call your optometrist.
Fresh Lens is here to make your vision journey smooth, safe, and stress-free.
Why Do My New Contacts Feel Uncomfortable?
Could be a few things:
- Dry Eyes: Contacts can make your eyes drier, especially in air-conditioned rooms or after long screen time. Artificial tears (contact-safe ones!) can help.
- Wrong Fit: If your lenses don’t match your eye shape, they’ll shift around, feel weird, or cause irritation.
- Wearing Them Too Long, Too Soon: If you go from zero to eight hours on day one, your eyes will protest.
- Lens Type: Soft lenses are easier to adjust to than RGP lenses. If you switched brands, your eyes might take time to adapt.
How to Get Comfortable Wearing Contacts (Faster!)
Now for the good stuff, how to make the transition smoother.
1. Follow a Gradual Schedule
Don’t rush it. Your eyes aren’t used to having something in them, so take it slow. Day one? A few hours, max. Then, add a little more time each day. Too much, too fast? Your eyes might rebel, dryness, irritation, even headaches. You’re training them to accept something new. Give it time. Rushing the contact lens adjustment period will only make it harder.
2. Blink More, Seriously
Sounds dumb, but hear me out. Staring at screens all day? You’re blinking less than you think. And less blinking = dry, irritated eyes. When your eyes are dry, your contacts feel weird. Like, sandpaper weird. Try blinking more often, especially when working or scrolling. Your eyes will thank you.
3. Use the Right Eye Drops
At Fresh Lens, we know that keeping your eyes comfortable is key. Not all eye drops work with contact lenses, some can even make things worse. Use Pure Moist solution specifically made for contact lenses. They’ll keep your lenses hydrated and help prevent blurry vision caused by dryness.
Dry air, long work hours, or endless screen time? All of these can dry out your eyes. Keep the right drops handy. Plus, explore Fresh Lens for top-quality contact lenses and eye solutions designed to keep your eyes clear, comfortable, and refreshed.
4. Check If Your Lenses Are Inside Out
Yes, this happens. A lot. And it feels… off. Like something is stuck in your eye. Blurry vision? Discomfort? Might be an inside-out lens. Place it on your fingertip. If the edges flare out, flip it. Problem solved.
5. Keep Your Lenses Clean, Always
Skipping proper cleaning? Bad idea. You don’t want an eye infection. Wash your hands before touching your contacts. Use fresh solution, never top off old solution in your case (seriously, don’t). Stick to your lens care routine.
6. Give It Time
Your eyes adjusting to contacts is like breaking in new shoes. Feels weird at first, a little uncomfortable, maybe even annoying. But one day, you’ll put them in and forget they’re even there. That’s the goal. Be patient. Is it normal for contacts to be uncomfortable at first? Yeah. But soon enough, they’ll feel like a part of you.
How Long to Get Used to Contacts? Final Thoughts
So, how long to adjust to contacts? A few days to a couple of weeks. Maybe longer for some. If it takes more than a month, something’s off, wrong lenses, prescription, or an underlying issue.
Your eyes are pretty amazing. They’ll adapt. Be patient. Stick to the tips above, and soon enough, you’ll forget you’re even wearing them.
And if you’re still struggling? Don’t tough it out, talk to your eye doctor. The right fit makes all the difference and you can get yours from Fresh Lens at the most reasonable prices.
