Can an Improper Contact Lens Fit Cause Eye Strain or Headaches?

Do you wear contact lenses? If you don’t, then you must think that they should feel comfortable and clear, right? Well, sometimes, they can cause eye strain or headaches. Often, the problem lies in the fit of your lenses. An improper fit can silently stress your eyes, leading to discomfort. Understanding this connection can bring relief and help improve your vision.

How Misfit Lenses Strain Your Eyes

If your contacts are too tight, they restrict oxygen flow to your cornea. Your cornea needs oxygen to stay healthy. Tight lenses squeeze the surface of your eye, much like a shoe that is too small. This results in discomfort, blurred vision, and overworked eye muscles trying to focus.

Symptoms of Poor Fit

If you experience the following, you need to change your lenses:

• Persistent dryness or a gritty feeling in your eyes

• Eye Redness — This can appear after wearing lenses for a few hours

• Frequent headaches — These can be around the temples or forehead

• Blurriness that comes and goes

• Needing to blink more than usual

• Sensitivity to light, even in normal conditions

Why Headaches Develop

When your eyes struggle to focus, your eye muscles work overtime. This strain can spread to the muscles in your head, causing headaches. Tight lenses reduce oxygen flow, triggering pain signals. Dryness from poorly fitting lenses also causes inflammation, which your brain interprets as a headache.

Getting Your Fit Checked

Only an eye doctor can confirm that your contact lenses fit correctly. Using a slit-lamp microscope, they check how your lenses sit on your cornea. Dye tests will help identify pressure points.

Solutions for Comfortable Wear

If you want to have comfortable-fitting contacts, do the following:

• Go for Professional Refitting 

Your doctor may recommend a different lens type or size. Some materials work better for certain eye shapes. The correct measurements ensure that your lenses move comfortably and cover your eye properly.

• Get Moisture Support 

Preservative-free eye drops can help combat dryness. New silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to reach your cornea. You can also use lens-friendly drops to prevent irritation during the day.

• Make Some Lifestyle Adjustments 

Reduce screen time when possible. Try taking regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule. This rule is about looking at something 20 feet away, in 20-minute intervals, for 20 seconds. Avoid fans or air conditioning blowing directly on your face to prevent dryness.

Prevention Is Straightforward

To avoid discomfort, always buy contacts with a current prescription. Do not skip your annual eye exams, and report any discomfort immediately instead of tolerating it. Make sure to replace your lenses on schedule, and clean your lens case weekly with a disinfecting solution.

When to Seek Urgent Help

If the pain persists after removing your lenses, it is time to see an eye doctor. Light sensitivity accompanied by nausea might be a sign of an infection. Persistent redness could mean inflammation, so don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen.

Properly fitted contact lenses should never cause strain. Work closely with your eye care provider and keep them informed about any changes. Your eyes deserve comfortable, clear vision.

For more on contact lenses, visit Michelle Blew, O.D. Optometry. Our office is in Kennebunk, Maine. Call (207) 216-9937 to book an appointment today.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/headaches-from-contacts

https://www.optometrymedicalgroup.com/blog/how-can-an-incorrect-contact-lens-fit-lead-to-eye-strain-and-headaches.html