How the Changing Seasons Affect Your Contact Lenses (And What You Can Do About It)

If you wear contact lenses, you probably know how sensitive your eyes can be to your surroundings. One week your lenses feel fine. The next, they’re dry, uncomfortable, and fogging up at random. What’s going on?

It turns out, the seasons play a bigger role in your contact lens comfort than you might expect. From pollen in spring to the dry air of winter, each season introduces different challenges for your eyes—and for how your lenses feel and function.

This post walks through how the weather, allergens, and environmental conditions that come with each season can affect your eyes and contact lenses. You’ll also get practical tips to help you stay comfortable no matter what the forecast looks like.

Fall: Dry Air, Cool Winds, and the Start of Allergy Season

As temperatures start to dip and leaves begin to change, fall brings a mix of benefits and drawbacks for your eyes. On one hand, the heat and humidity of summer ease off, which can be a relief. On the other hand, fall is a peak time for allergies, especially ragweed.

What happens to your lenses in the fall:

• Increased allergens in the air: Ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust mites can irritate your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, these allergens can get trapped between your lens and your eye, making the irritation worse.
• Dryer air: As temperatures drop, so does humidity. Indoor heating also kicks in around this time, which can dry out your eyes more quickly than you’re used to.
• Wind exposure: Fall breezes might feel refreshing, but wind increases tear evaporation, which leads to dry, irritated eyes while you’re wearing contacts.

What you can do:

• Use preservative-free eye drops to help wash away allergens without irritating your eyes further.
• Keep your lenses clean. Daily disposable lenses are especially useful during allergy season because they limit the buildup of allergens and debris.
• Limit time outside on high-pollen days. Check your local pollen count and consider switching to glasses when it spikes.

If you notice your contacts getting uncomfortable toward the end of the day during the fall, it’s probably not your imagination. Try lubricating drops in the late afternoon or evening to give your eyes a boost. Also, consider using a humidifier in your home, especially if your heater is running a lot.

Winter: Cold Weather and Dry Indoor Air

Winter brings cold air outdoors and dry, heated air indoors—neither of which is friendly to contact lenses.

What happens to your lenses in the winter:

• Dry air: Heating systems tend to zap moisture from the air, which dries out your skin and eyes. If your lenses start to feel stiff or your vision gets blurry in the winter, dry air might be the cause.
• Less blinking: When you’re cold or staring at screens for longer periods indoors, you blink less. That means your eyes aren’t staying as moist, which leads to discomfort.
• More time indoors: Whether you’re curled up reading or working on a computer, screen time tends to spike in winter. This increases the likelihood of digital eye strain.

What you can do:

• Hydrate inside and out: Drink more water than you think you need, and consider using a humidifier in your bedroom or office.
• Use rewetting drops regularly. Keep artificial tears nearby and use them before your eyes start to feel dry.
• Take screen breaks. The 20-20-20 rule is helpful: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Some contact lens materials retain moisture better than others. If you’re consistently uncomfortable in the winter, ask your optometrist about switching to silicone hydrogel lenses. They’re more breathable and can stay moist longer in dry environments.

Spring: Pollen Season and Puffy Eyes

Spring is often the worst season for allergy sufferers. Trees, flowers, and grasses are blooming, which sends pollen counts soaring. If you have seasonal allergies, your eyes may become red, itchy, or watery—none of which go well with contact lenses.

What happens to your lenses in the spring:

• Pollen and airborne irritants: These get caught under your lenses or on their surface, which causes discomfort and makes it harder to wear them for long periods.
• Watery eyes: If your eyes are constantly producing extra tears to flush out allergens, your contacts may move around more than usual. This can make your vision blurry or unstable.
• Inflammation: Allergies can trigger conjunctivitis or eyelid inflammation, making it unsafe or uncomfortable to wear lenses at all.

What you can do:

• Switch to daily disposable lenses. Single-use lenses reduce the chance of allergens accumulating on your lenses day after day.
• Rinse your eyes before and after lens use with saline solution or preservative-free eye drops to help keep your eyes clean.
• Talk to your eye doctor about allergy-safe drops. Some antihistamine drops are safe for contact lens wearers, but not all.

It’s also a good idea to shower and change your clothes after being outside during high-pollen days. Pollen tends to cling to hair and fabrics, and if it gets near your eyes, it can cause issues even if you’re indoors.

Summer: Heat, Humidity, and Outdoor Hazards

Summer is full of activities that can pose risks for contact lens wearers: swimming, sweating, travel, and exposure to UV light. The warm weather and longer days are great, but they also bring a different set of challenges for your eyes.

What happens to your lenses in the summer:

• Dehydration: You sweat more, you’re outside more, and you may not be drinking enough water. All of this affects your tear production and lens comfort.
• Chlorine and saltwater exposure: Swimming in contact lenses is a big risk. Water—whether from a pool, lake, or ocean—can contain bacteria and microorganisms that cause serious eye infections.
• Increased UV exposure: Many people don’t realize their eyes can get sunburned, especially if they’re wearing lenses without UV protection.

What you can do:

• Don’t swim in your lenses. If you must, use airtight swim goggles—or better yet, take your lenses out or wear prescription goggles.
• Wear sunglasses with full UV protection to reduce long-term damage to your eyes and increase comfort.
• Carry backup glasses when traveling. They’re a lifesaver if your eyes get too dry or irritated for lenses.

Also, summer is a great time to review your lens hygiene. When you’re traveling or spending more time outside, it’s easy to skip proper cleaning steps. Make sure you’re washing your hands before handling lenses and storing them in fresh solution every time.

Year-Round Tips for Contact Lens Comfort

While seasonal changes are a big factor, your day-to-day habits matter just as much. Here are a few good practices that will help you stay ahead of any discomfort, no matter the time of year.

1. Stick to your lens replacement schedule: Even if your lenses still feel “okay,” wearing them longer than recommended increases your risk of eye irritation and infection.
2. Clean your case often: Bacteria love moisture. Rinse your contact lens case with fresh solution (never water) and let it air dry upside down.
3. Don’t sleep in your lenses unless prescribed: Overnight wear increases your risk of serious eye infections, unless your doctor has given you lenses approved for it.
4. Schedule yearly eye exams: Your prescription can change subtly, and even small changes can affect how your lenses feel.
5. Know when to take a break: If your eyes are red, sore, or tired, switching to glasses for a day or two gives your eyes time to recover.

Final Thoughts

Your eyes are incredibly sensitive to the world around you, and when you wear contact lenses, you’re more likely to notice those changes. The air gets drier, allergens spike, humidity shifts—these all affect how your lenses feel, how clearly you see, and how long you can comfortably wear them.

The good news is that most of these challenges can be managed with small adjustments. Whether it’s switching to daily lenses during allergy season, using a humidifier in winter, or taking your lenses out before swimming, the key is knowing what to expect and how to respond.

If you’re struggling with lens comfort or your symptoms seem to get worse at certain times of year, talk to your eye doctor. You may need a different type of lens material, a better cleaning routine, or something as simple as using artificial tears more regularly.

Schedule your comprehensive eye exam with Drs. Kopolow and Girsgen by texting GLASSES to 21000, calling us at (702) 452-2020, or booking an appointment online here.