Why Do My Contacts Get Blurry When I Blink?
You’re wearing your contacts, everything looks completely normal, and then you blink and suddenly everything is blurry.
You blink again. Clear. Then blurry again.
Once you notice it happening, it’s kind of impossible to stop paying attention to it.
So, why do your contacts get blurry when you blink?
Most of the time, it has something to do with your contacts getting dry, moving around too much, or just not sitting quite right on your eyes. Plus, if you wear contacts for astigmatism, your contact rotating slightly can make your vision go in and out of focus, too.
Your contacts are actually supposed to move a tiny bit when you blink, so a little movement isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, if you feel like you’re constantly blinking just to get your vision back into focus, it’s worth figuring out what’s going on.
Your Contacts Could Be Dry
Your contacts sit on the tear film covering your eyes. When you blink, you spread that tear film back across your eye and the surface of your contact.
If your eyes are getting dry, that layer of tears dries up, which can make your vision blurry.
You might notice it more after you’ve been staring at your computer forever, scrolling on your phone, sitting under the AC, or wearing your contacts for a really long time.
If you get to the end of the day and feel like you have to blink 15 times to get your contacts back into focus, dryness could definitely be part of the problem.
Your Contact Might Be Moving Around
Your contact isn’t supposed to be completely stuck to your eye. A little movement is normal.
Although, if it’s moving too much every time you blink, that’s different.
The contact can move slightly out of position, your vision gets blurry, and then a second later it settles back where it belongs and everything is clear again.
If you can actually feel your contact moving around or sliding when you blink, you might want to read our guide on why contacts slide when you blink.
Your Contacts Might Not Fit Quite Right
Not every contact fits every eye the same way. If you look at your contact lens prescription, you’ll probably see things like base curve and diameter along with your actual prescription power. Those measurements help determine how the contact sits on your eye.
So, even if two different contacts are both -3.00 power, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re interchangeable. They can be different sizes, made from different materials, and fit your eyes completely differently.
If your contacts seem like they’re constantly shifting around, your eye doctor can actually watch how the lens moves on your eye and see if the fit is the problem.
Make Sure Your Contact Isn't Inside Out
It happens. An inside-out contact can still go onto your eye. It might just feel a little weird, move around more than normal, or make your vision blurry.
If you put your contacts in and one eye suddenly feels completely different from the other, I’d take that one out and check it.
Put the contact on the tip of your finger and look at the edges. It should look like a little bowl. If the edges are flaring outward, flip it around and try again.
If You Have Astigmatism, Your Contact Could Be Rotating
This is a big one if you wear toric contacts. Astigmatism contacts work a little differently because they need to sit in a specific position on your eye for you to see clearly. That’s why your prescription has those extra cylinder and axis numbers on it. The contacts are designed to stay in the right position, but they can still rotate a little when you blink.
If this happens constantly with your toric contacts, tell your eye doctor. You might do better in a different lens that stays more stable on your eye.
Debris
Makeup, moisturizer, oil from your fingers, dust, or basically any tiny piece of debris can end up on the lens and make everything look a little blurry.
Pay Attention to When It Gets Blurry
If your vision gets blurry and blinking makes it clear again, your contacts might be getting dry.
If your vision is clear, you blink, and then it gets blurry for a second, your contact might be moving.
If the blurriness comes on pretty suddenly or it feels like there’s something stuck in your eye, you could have a tiny piece of dust, makeup, or other debris trapped under your contact. Taking the lens out, cleaning it properly, and putting it back in may fix the problem.
FAQ
Is it normal for contacts to get blurry when you blink?
It can happen occasionally. Contacts naturally move a little when you blink, so you might get a split second where your vision isn't perfectly clear. If it happens constantly, though, there could be something else going on.
Why does blinking make my contacts clear again?
Your eyes might be getting dry. Blinking spreads your tears back across your eyes and contacts, which can temporarily make your vision clearer.
Why do my contacts get blurry immediately after I blink?
Your contact could be moving slightly when you blink. If it shifts out of position, things might look blurry for a second until the contact settles again.
Why is only one contact blurry?
That contact might be inside out, dirty, dry, damaged, or moving around more than the other one. Your contacts also don't necessarily fit both eyes exactly the same way, or your astigmatism may be stronger in one eye than the other.
Why do my astigmatism contacts get blurry when I blink?
Toric contacts need to stay in a specific position to correct your astigmatism. If the contact rotates when you blink, your vision can get blurry until it moves back into position.
Should I put in a new contact if mine suddenly gets blurry?
If you wear daily contacts and one suddenly gets blurry or feels weird, you can take it out and replace it with a fresh one. If you keep having the exact same problem with new contacts, though, it’s probably time to ask your eye doctor about it.
Can my contact lens fit make my vision blurry?
Yes. If your contact is moving around too much or isn't sitting on your eye correctly, your vision can go in and out of focus.
Should I see my eye doctor if my contacts keep getting blurry?
If it keeps happening, yes. Especially if your contacts are also uncomfortable, your eyes are getting red, or you're constantly blinking trying to get your vision back into focus.