10/14/2026

Is something wrong with my contact lenses?

If you wear contacts, you may run into the occasional issue. The prescription could be a little off, the lenses or your solution may irritate your eyes, or you could have trouble getting used to a new pair. So how do you figure out what is going on so you can fix it? Here are the steps to track down what is wrong with your contacts. 

How can I tell if something is wrong with my contact lenses? 

Start by pinning down the kind of discomfort or vision trouble you are having. Ask yourself: 

• Are your eyes uncomfortable? 

• Are they stinging, burning, itching, or painful? 

• Does it feel like something is stuck in your eye? 

• Do they get less comfortable the longer you leave the lenses in? 

Next, take out your lenses and look them over. If you spot debris or a foreign object, clean the lenses thoroughly, then rinse and disinfect. If that does not help, take the lenses out and check in with your eye doctor. 

Are your contact lenses causing eye discomfort or irritation? 

• Do you have excessive tearing, redness, or very dry eyes? 

• Is there any discharge? 

Take your lenses out right away and inspect them for anything foreign, like before. If you do not see anything unusual, leave the contacts out. Get medical help, since you may have a condition that needs specific treatment or prescription drops. Do not risk your eyes by putting off a visit to the doctor. 

Are your contact lenses causing vision issues? 

• Do you have blurred vision or halos around objects? 

• Does your vision seem less sharp? 

• Can you no longer see clearly at distances that used to be fine? 

If you were recently fitted for new contacts, the prescription may be slightly off, or the type or style may not be a good fit (they could even be defective). Head back to your eye doctor to go over your symptoms and look at other contact lens options. 

Most of the time, contact lens trouble comes down to minor problems with simple fixes. Once in a while, though, the irritation points to something more serious. Conditions like dry eye, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion, keratitis, and blepharitis are among the things your eye doctor may check for during an exam. Always get help right away if you have lasting symptoms or eye pain. 

If the trouble with your contacts keeps up, call or visit your eye doctor. And when you use your VSP® Individual Vision Plan, you are taking good care of your eyes and saving money at the same time. 

Ready for the next step? Take a look around VSP Direct, compare VSP Individual Vision Plans, or let the VSP Individual Vision Plan Selector match you with a plan in a couple of minutes. You can also see everything a plan includes on the Benefits & Savings page. 

Sponsored by VSP. Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans' social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Reviewed by Chris A. Smiley, O.D.