Can Wind Make My Contact Lenses Fall Out?

You're out watching your friend play a beach volleyball game and suddenly...boop...there goes your contact, into the sand.

This has been happening occasionally. At the office when they are really cranking the air conditioning, or after you've been wearing your contact lenses from the moment you wake up to after the third episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. post dinner. Suddenly, one just pops out.

Wind normally will not make a properly fitted contact lens fall out of your eye. Your contact lens becoming extremely dry is typically what causes the "slip up." That said, wind can make your contacts feel dry, blurry, irritated, or even move slightly out of place. 

Do Contact Lenses Fall Out Easily?

Well...they shouldn't. Soft contact lenses fit closely over the surface of your eye. They are not just loosely resting there, so a gust of wind cannot easily get underneath a properly fitted lens and carry it away.

Your tear film also helps the lens stay centered and move smoothly each time you blink. If your contacts fit correctly, they should stay in place while you walk, run, exercise, and spend time outside, even when it is windy.

However, contact lenses do move slightly when you blink. That movement is completely normal and actually good. It helps tears circulate underneath the lens. However, a contact should not move so much that it constantly feels loose, slides onto the white part of your eye, or regularly falls out.

Why Do My Contacts Feel Loose When It's Windy?

Wind can cause moisture to evaporate from the surface of your eyes more quickly. Since your contact lenses sit within your tear film, they can start feeling dry and uncomfortable when that moisture disappears. Your contacts may suddenly feel scratchy, blurry, or much more noticeable than they did a few minutes earlier. The lens may also move differently when you blink because it's no longer gliding over a smooth, hydrated surface. This can make it feel loose, even when it is not actually close to falling out.

Wind is a common trigger for dry eyes, and contact lens wear can make that dryness more noticeable. If your eyes already tend to feel dry, you may notice the effects almost immediately when you step outside on a windy day.

Can a Contact Lens Actually Blow Out of Your Eye?

Technically, it can happen, but it's pretty uncommon. A contact is much more likely to come out if it's already dry, damaged, inside out, or not fitting your eye correctly. It can also happen if the lens shifts and you rub your eye or pull at your eyelid.

For example, you might be walking outside when wind blows dust toward your face. Your eye starts watering, your contact becomes uncomfortable, and you instinctively rub it. That combination can fold the lens or push it away from the center of your eye. At that point, the lens may fall out, but it wasn't lifted away by the wind.

Why Does Wind Make My Vision Blurrier?

Your tear film creates a smooth surface over your eye and contact lens. When the wind causes that tear film to dry out or break up more quickly, your vision may become blurry between blinks.

Sometimes a few normal blinks will redistribute moisture over the lens and make your vision clear again. If the lens has become very dry, though, the blurriness may continue until you use contact-lens-compatible rewetting drops or remove the lens.

You may notice this even more if you wear toric contacts for astigmatism. Toric lenses need to stay in a particular position to provide clear vision. If the lens rotates or shifts slightly, your vision can become blurry until it settles back into place.

That does not necessarily mean the contact is about to fall out. It may simply need a little more moisture.

Why Do My Eyes Water When It's Windy?

It sounds a little strange, but watery eyes can actually be a sign that your eyes are dry.

When wind irritates the surface of your eyes, your body may respond by producing a sudden rush of tears. These are called reflex tears, and they are your eyes’ attempt to protect themselves from dryness or debris.

Those extra tears can make your contacts feel like they are moving around more than usual. They can also make your vision blurry for a few seconds. Even though your eyes are watering, the tear film underneath your contacts may still be unbalanced or evaporating too quickly.

What Should I Do If My Contact Shifts in the Wind?

The first thing to do is resist the urge to rub your eye. Rubbing can fold the lens, move it farther away from the center of your eye, or scratch your eye if dirt or dust is trapped underneath it.

Move somewhere protected from the wind and blink normally a few times. If the lens is only a little dry, blinking may help it settle back into place. You can also use rewetting drops that are specifically labeled as safe for contact lenses.

Do not put just any eye drop over your contacts. Some eye drops need to be used before inserting your lenses or after removing them, so always check the label first.

If the lens still feels folded, painful, blurry, or out of place, wash and dry your hands before removing it. Daily disposable contacts should be thrown away and replaced with a fresh lens. Reusable contacts should be cleaned and disinfected properly before you put them back in your eye.

What About Dust?

One of the bigger problems with wind is that it can carry dust, sand, pollen, and other tiny particles directly toward your eyes. If something gets underneath your contact, your eye may suddenly feel scratchy, watery, or painful.

Do not keep wearing the lens and hope the feeling goes away. Once you can safely wash and dry your hands, remove the contact and give your eye a break.

If you wear daily disposable contacts, throw the lens away and open a fresh one when your eye feels normal again. If you wear bi-weekly or monthly contacts, inspect the lens for damage and clean and disinfect it before wearing it again. Never rinse your contacts with tap water or put them in your mouth.

If your eye still hurts after you remove the lens, contact your eye doctor. Continued pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or blurry vision can mean that the surface of your eye has been scratched or irritated.

Can Wind Push My Contact Behind My Eye?

No. A contact lens cannot travel behind your eyeball, even if it completely disappears from view.

There is a thin membrane connecting the inside of your eyelid to the surface of your eye. This creates a barrier that prevents your contact from moving behind your eye.

A lens can slide underneath your upper eyelid, though, especially if it becomes dry or folded. When this happens, it can feel like the contact has completely vanished.

If you think your lens is under your eyelid, do not panic or start aggressively digging around for it. Wash and dry your hands, look downward, and gently massage your closed upper eyelid toward the center of your eye. Contact-lens-compatible rewetting drops may also help loosen the lens.

If you still cannot find or remove it, your eye doctor can take it out for you.

Are Soft Contacts or Hard Contacts Better in the Wind?

Soft contact lenses are generally difficult to dislodge because they are relatively large and curve closely around the surface of your eye. Rigid gas-permeable contacts are smaller and hold their own shape, so some wearers may notice them moving more easily.

Wind alone still should not make either type of properly fitted contact lens fall out. However, if your lenses regularly slide around or pop out, you should ask your eye doctor to check the fit.

Contact lenses come in different materials, base curves, diameters, and designs. Two contacts can have the same prescription strength while fitting your eye very differently. A lens that constantly feels loose may simply not be the right fit for your eye.

What Helps on Windy Days?

Sunglasses are one of the easiest ways to make contact lenses more comfortable when it is windy. Larger frames or wraparound sunglasses create a barrier that helps block direct airflow, dust, and debris.

You may also want to bring contact-lens-compatible rewetting drops, a spare pair of contacts, and your glasses if you know you will be outside for a while. If you are going somewhere especially dusty or sandy, wearing glasses may be more comfortable from the beginning.

This can be particularly helpful when you are biking, hiking, running, gardening, or spending time at the beach. You can absolutely wear contacts during these activities, but protecting your eyes from constant airflow can make a huge difference.

Can I Put My Contact Back in if It Falls on the Ground?

If a daily disposable contact falls out, throw it away and open a new one. Even if the lens looks clean, it may have picked up bacteria, dirt, or tiny particles that you cannot see.

If you wear reusable contacts, the lens must be fully cleaned and disinfected with fresh contact lens solution before you wear it again. Quickly rinsing it is not the same as disinfecting it.

If you do not have a new lens or the supplies needed to clean it properly, switch to your glasses. It can be super inconvenient to do this, but it's much better than putting a dirty contact back into your eye and risking an infection.

"My Contacts Keep Falling Out Even When It's Not Windy"

If your contact regularly falls out, the problem probably is not the weather.

The lens may be inside out, damaged, extremely dry, or past its replacement date. It may also have the wrong base curve or diameter for your eye.

Your contact lens prescription includes much more than the amount of vision correction you need. During a contact lens exam, your eye doctor looks at your corneal shape, tear film, and the way the lens moves when you blink. That is why you should not switch to a different contact lens brand without being fitted for it first.

A properly fitted contact should not constantly slide around or fall out. If yours does, make an appointment with your eye doctor instead of trying to tolerate it.

When Should I Call My Eye Doctor?

A little dryness or temporary blurriness on a windy day is usually not an emergency. It may improve once you get out of the wind, use appropriate rewetting drops, or remove your contacts.

You should contact your eye doctor if the discomfort continues after removing the lens or if you experience significant redness, pain, discharge, sensitivity to light, or changes in your vision. You should also schedule an appointment if your contacts frequently feel loose or fall out.

FAQ

Can wind make a contact lens fall out?

It is possible, but it is not common. A properly fitted contact lens should stay securely on your eye, even when it is windy. A lens is more likely to fall out if it becomes extremely dry, shifts out of place, or you rub your eye.

Why do my contacts feel loose when it is windy?

Wind can cause moisture to evaporate from your eyes and contact lenses more quickly. As the lens becomes dry, it may stop moving as smoothly when you blink and start to feel loose or out of place.

Can wind make my contacts blurry?

Yes. Wind can dry out your tear film, which may cause your vision to become temporarily blurry. The lens may also shift or rotate slightly. This can be especially noticeable with toric contacts for astigmatism because they need to remain in a specific position to provide clear vision.

Can a contact lens blow behind my eye?

No. A contact lens cannot travel behind your eyeball. It can fold or move underneath your upper eyelid, but there is a membrane that prevents it from going behind your eye.

What should I do if my contact moves out of place?

Move away from the wind and avoid rubbing your eye. Blink normally a few times or use rewetting drops that are approved for contact lenses. If the lens remains uncomfortable or blurry, wash and dry your hands before removing it.

What should I do if dirt gets under my contact?

Remove the contact as soon as you can safely wash and dry your hands. If it is a daily disposable lens, throw it away. A reusable lens should be properly cleaned and disinfected before being worn again. If your eye continues to hurt after the contact is removed, call your eye doctor.

Should I throw away a contact that falls on the ground?

If it is a daily disposable contact, yes. Replace it with a fresh lens. If it is a reusable contact, it must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with contact lens solution before you wear it again. Never use tap water or saliva to clean a contact lens.

Can I wear contact lenses while running or biking in the wind?

Yes. Many people comfortably wear contacts while exercising outside. Sunglasses or protective sports eyewear can help block the wind and keep dust, sand, and other debris out of your eyes.

Do sunglasses help protect contacts from the wind?

Yes. Sunglasses, especially larger or wraparound styles, create a barrier between your eyes and the wind. They can slow moisture evaporation and reduce the amount of dust and debris that reaches your contacts.

Why does my contact keep falling out when it is not windy?

The lens may be inside out, damaged, overly dry, or not fitting your eye correctly. A properly fitted contact should not regularly slide around or fall out. If this keeps happening, ask your eye doctor to check the fit.