Everybody cries — whether it’s a sad movie, allergies, or a hard day — it’s normal for tears to start flowing. But what happens if you start crying while wearing contacts? Is it dangerous? Do you need to take your contacts out afterwards? Today, we will discuss crying with contacts and whether you need to worry. 

What is the Purpose of Tears?

Tears play an important role in keeping your eyes lubricated. They also protect them from irritants and supply them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Tear production benefits everyone, but especially those with contacts. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, your body produces three types of tears:

Basal Tears — These act as a shield to lubricate, nourish, and protect the eyes from dirt and debris. Your eyes produce these tears regularly without you even noticing. 

Reflex Tears — These tears clean off harmful irritants, such as an eyelash or dust particle. Your eyes may also produce these tears if you are exposed to something irritating, such as smoke.

Emotional Tears — If you feel strong emotions, such as joy, sadness, or anger, you may produce emotional tears. 

Tears also contain three layers:

Inner Mucus Layer — This layer holds the tear in your eye. 

Watery Middle Layer — This produces moisture to keep the eye hydrated, repels bacteria, and protects the cornea. 

Outer Oily Layer —  This layer keeps the surface of the tear smooth so you can see through. It also keeps the other layers from evaporating. 

Tears Themselves Aren’t Harmful

Fortunately, tears won’t damage your contacts. In fact, your eyes are naturally covered in a tear film, even if you’re not crying, and contact lenses are designed to sit comfortably in that environment. But crying could introduce more than the usual amount of fluid, which can have some side effects.

Blurry Vision Is Common

As you cry, tears flood the surface of your eyes. Since contacts sit directly on your cornea, those excess tears can create a temporary layer of mucus or reside between your lens and your eye. That’s what causes the blurry or smeared vision many wearers experience when crying. It’s like looking through a wet window — you can see everything, but it’s a bit distorted. 

Your Contacts Might Move Around

When you cry, you blink more and your tears flow faster. This movement and extra moisture can cause your contacts to shift in your eyes — especially if you wear soft contacts. They may also temporarily stick to your eyelids or eyelashes. Their movement will make your vision feel off until they re-center. But don’t worry, your contacts won’t disappear behind your eyeball.  

Risk of Buildup or Discomfort

Tears are more than just water; they contain a mix of water, electrolytes, lipids, proteins, and enzymes (salt and oil). When you cry, all those substances build up on your lenses. If you don’t rinse or clean them properly afterward, you can experience irritation or foggy lenses.

Tears Can Loosen Your Lenses

If you wipe your eyes or dab at your lashes, you risk accidentally nudging a lens out of place or out of your eye entirely, especially if you wear daily disposable lenses. When blotting your tears, make sure to be gentle. 

What Should You Do If You Cry With Contacts?

Blink Gently — This will help your lenses settle back into place. 

Avoid Rubbing — Rubbing your eyes could dislodge your contacts or irritate your eyes. 

Use Contact-Friendly Eye Drops — If your eyes feel dry or irritated after crying, consider using eye drops to help lubricate your eyes again. 

Daily Disposable Lenses — If you wear daily contacts, consider replacing the pair you are wearing as this may be easiest.

Reusable Lenses — After crying, clean your lenses with a solution to ensure they are properly lubricated and free from debris. If your eyes feel irritated, puffy, or still sting, you may want to avoid wearing contacts until your eyes have relaxed. 

If you feel like you are about to have a good crying session, you might want to consider removing your lenses and inserting them again afterward. Additionally, if your eyes are still irritated when it’s been a while since you’ve cried, you may have a bigger issue going on. 

It’s Safe to Cry With Contacts In

You don’t need to worry if you cry while wearing contacts — you and your lenses will survive. You may experience some temporary discomfort or blurry vision, but you just need to take a minute afterwards to clean your lenses, dry your eyes, and maybe give your eyes a break.