Most big life changes require an adjustment period — a few days or even weeks to adapt to the new normal. This is certainly true for contact lenses. Some people find that immediately after switching to contacts, they experience some mild discomfort and vision issues. But with a little patience, they usually find that those initial problems disappear. How long does it take to get used to contacts? Scroll down to learn more about the typical length of the adjustment period and what you can expect as a new wearer of contact lenses.
The Adjustment Period for Contacts
So, how long does it take to get used to contacts? Most people find that it takes about 10 to 12 days to adjust to wearing new contacts. During this time, mild eye issues are common, including blurred vision, discomfort, and eye fatigue.
Tips for Adjusting to Contacts
Feeling frustrated by your new contacts? The following tips might help ease the adjustment period:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding disposal date, length of wear, proper cleaning, and storage.
- Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your contacts.
- Don’t rush. Give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning to put in your contacts.
- Consider avoiding heavy eye makeup while you adjust to your new contact lenses.
- If you have to take your contact lenses out and re-insert them, re-wet them beforehand using contact solution.
- If your contacts are feeling a little uncomfortable, don’t take them out immediately. Give yourself a few minutes to get used to them, and try to distract yourself by doing something else. You might be surprised how quickly you forget about them.
- Take a break if needed. If you’ve tried to be patient but your contacts still feel uncomfortable and your eyes are irritated, don’t force yourself to continue wearing them.
- If you’re struggling to make it through a full day of wearing contacts, gradually increase your wear time. Start by wearing them for a couple of hours per day, and then extend the duration to build your tolerance.
- If it’s been more than two weeks, contact your eye care professional for help. You may need to try a different contact lens product.
Adjusting to Special Contacts
If you’ve been prescribed a special type of contact lens — such as monovision lenses (a treatment method for those with presbyopia) or multifocal lenses — your adjustment period may be a little longer. With multifocal lenses, some people report seeing a shadowing effect on up-close objects. Be patient, and contact your eye care team if you have any questions or concerns.
Resources for New Contact Lens Users
How long does it take to get used to contacts? Typically, less than two weeks. Be patient! Before you know it, wearing contacts will be second nature. In the meantime, as a new wearer of contact lenses, you might be interested in checking out these other blog posts:
- How to Put in Contacts
- Tips for Putting in Contacts
- How to Properly Clean Contacts
- How to Tell If Your Contacts Are Inside Out
- Can You Sleep in Contacts?
- Can You Put Contacts in Water?
- Tips for Traveling with Contacts
- Swimming with Contacts: Bad Idea?
- The Difference Between Daily and Monthly Contacts
- Daily vs. Monthly Contacts
- How Often Should I Change My Contacts?
- Can You Wear Daily Contacts More Than Once?
- Contacts for Astigmatism: What You Need to Know
- Do Glasses and Contacts Have the Same Prescription?
- Why Are My Contacts Blurry?
- Why Do My Contacts Get Cloudy?
Are you interested in trying contacts for the first time? If you live near southwest Missouri, contact Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an email to [email protected], or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you, and we would be happy to help if you’re wondering, “How long does it take to get used to contacts?”