Tips for Wearing Contact Lens in Different Climate

Oct 20, 2020

Have you ever noticed any differences when you wear contact lens during warm or cold weather? Or when you are outside and going indoor where it’s air-conditioned? While contact lenses are made to withstand all weathers, sometimes, changing of temperatures can make wearing contact lens slightly less comfortable. Here are some tips for wearing contact lens indifferent climate.

Wearing contact lens in hot and cold weather

Dontcha wish the weather was hot like this?

Is it true that hot or cold weather can wreak havoc to the wearability of the contact lens? Let’s discuss on hot weather first shall we. Some urban myths say that your contact lens will ‘melt’ in hot weather, this is not true. Hot weather generally will not have any significant effect on your contact lenses. However, warmer weather may dry the lens quickly, of which may causes light discomfort for wearer. This problem is easily resolved with the use of eye drops to keep your eyes moisture. If you’re spending more time outdoor during the warmer months, don’t forget to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. You can wear sunglasses or choose contact lenses with UV protection.

It is not recommended to wear contact lens including colored contact lens in saunas or spas. Heat and humidity may cause sweat to get into your eyes and get behind the lenses, causing discomfort and even an infection. If you sweat a lot or are working out, do consider using a headband to absorb your sweat on forehead or wipe your sweat frequently with a towel or handkerchief.

The cold never bothered me anyway…

Just like the ‘Let It Go’ lyric, cold weather conditions generally don’t impede the wearing of contact lenses. Many people wear their contact lenses outdoors in fall and winter even when the temperature drops below zero degree, without any difficulties. However, cold conditions usually mean low humidity, and therefore, your contact lens may feel a little dry. When wearing contact lens indoor with the heating on during winter, your eyes may also feel dry, red or even slightly irritated because the heat dries out your eyes quicker. Once again, simply use eye drops to lubricate your eyes.

If you’re outdoor during the cold weather, harsh winds can trigger eye pain and discomfort for contact lens wearers. The wind not only dries out the surface of your contact lens quicker, it may carry debris that goes into your eyes. The dryness and debris cause friction between the contact lens and your eye lids when you blink, resulting in discomfort and redness. Wear a sunglasses or protective goggles to block the winds when you’re outdoor. In addition to that, drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. This is because less water in your body means less tears in your eyes to maintain the moisture level of your contact lens that sits so closely to your eyes.