If you're wondering whether it's okay to cry while wearing contact lenses, you're not alone! Many contact lens wearers experience emotional moments or deal with irritants that lead to tears. The good news is, yes, you can cry with contacts in, but there are a few things you should keep in mind to keep your eyes comfortable and your contacts in good shape.
Types of Tears
There are three main types of tears, and each can affect your contact lenses differently:Understanding the types of tears helps explain why your contacts might feel different depending on the situation.
What Happens When You Cry With Contacts In?
Tears naturally lubricate the eyes, but when you cry, the increased flow of tears can cause temporary discomfort with your contact lenses. Here’s how crying can affect your lenses:
Lens Movement: The excess tears can make your contacts move around more than usual, causing slight blurriness or discomfort.
Debris: Crying can flush out any particles or dust from your eyes, which is a good thing. However, this debris can sometimes get stuck under your lenses, causing irritation.
Salt Deposits: Tears contain salt, and prolonged crying might leave small deposits on your lenses, making them feel dry or uncomfortable.
How to Handle Tears with Contacts
If you find yourself tearing up while wearing contacts, here are a few tips to minimize discomfort:
Don’t Rub Your Eyes: Rubbing can cause your lenses to shift or even fall out. Instead, gently dab your eyes with a clean tissue to absorb excess tears.
Blink Frequently: Blinking helps redistribute the moisture across your eyes and can keep your lenses in place.
Carry Eye Drops: Having rewetting drops handy can help if your lenses start to feel dry or gritty after crying.
Clean Your Lenses: If your lenses feel uncomfortable after crying, it’s a good idea to remove them and give them a clean or replace them with a fresh pair.
Can Tears Damage Your Contact Lenses?
While your natural tears won’t damage your lenses, crying regularly with contacts in could affect their clarity over time. Salt deposits from tears may make the lenses feel less comfortable, especially if you don't clean them regularly.
If you wear disposable daily lenses, crying with them in shouldn’t be a big concern, as you’ll be replacing them by the end of the day. For weekly or monthly contacts, make sure to clean them thoroughly to prevent any buildup.
