It happens probably to every contact lens wearer someday. The question comes up if the wrong contact lens is on the wrong eye. Depending on the types of contact lenses used and the difference in lens power it might be quite easy to feel and see the difference between both lenses or it might be practically impossible for you.
If you just put the contact lens in your eye and it feels different and/or blurry, you know you will have the wrong lens on your eye.
When you are in the situation and you are unsure if you mixed them up or not look at an object that is at least 20 feet away and cover one eye at a time. For most people, visual acuity should be the same on both eyes. So when you experience more blurry vision on one eye compared to the other switch the contact lenses and repeat the test to see if it is better.
The problem with mixed-up lenses is when you are using the same lenses on both eyes and they have the same parameters like the diameter and the base curve you might not feel any difference between them. When the prescription is fairly close on both of your eyes you might also not be able to really see a difference between both of your lenses.
So when you need to check if you mixed them up focus on fine detailed print like a license tag that is far away or the feeling while blinking. When they are differences like one lens for astigmatism and no correction for Astigmatism on the other side the foreign body sensation will probably be different if you put the wrong contact lens on one eye.
Sometimes the contact lenses just need to settle a bit. So when you unsure do not rush to change them and repeat the test described above right away but rather wait three minutes and then go for another look at something in the distance with each eye at a time.
A good indicator oftentimes is also fine glowing print like the ones on a microwave. If you see slight double contours or shadow-like effects on the clock for example you should also switch the lenses and see if it is better. Depending on the types of contact lenses you wear if you take them out you might be able to see if the lens was actually for the right or the left eye.
However, this is only true for individually crafted contact lenses that oftentimes have a laser engraving on them that shows you an R or an L. But if you are in the situation anyways give this last tip a shot.
When you are reading this you will realize it is not that bad but dealing with eye strain is probably also not a good option so when you switched back and forth between them and you can not figure out if they are mixed up or not take your contact lens solution with you if you need to leave your house.
The reason is simple. When you do have only a small difference in the prescription in your left and in your right eye you may notice the eye strain after a few hours. When you in the situation and want to switch the lenses again because now you can be sure you mixed the lenses up you should switch them safely and with perfect hygiene.
Also when your eyes are strained due to looking through the wrong contact lenses for a couple of hours it might be worthwhile to take your glasses in addition to your contact lenses with you. So when you are done with the lenses this time you can just switch to your glasses and just be safe.
Can Wearing the Contacts on the Wrong Eye Damage Your Eyes?
The wrong contact lens may feel funny and it can even give you a headache if you wear them very long, but it won’t damage your eyes in a sustainable way if you are not wearing specialty lenses and suffer a severe eye condition. If your lenses are mixed up, you might start to experience some eye strain and or headaches.
In most cases, contact lens wearers have the same lens type of lens for both eyes. This means the lenses also have the same shape and snuggle in the same way on the eyeball on both sides. This is especially true when standard soft contact lenses are used.
When it comes to rigid gas permeable contact lenses are oftentimes similar. But switching the lenses could lead to more problems because of the finer adjustments of the lenses. If you are suffering from keratoconus for example your cornea could be irritated by the wrong lens on your eye touching the cornea. But most people are not having those eye conditions.
How To Prevent Mixing up Your Contact Lenses?
In most cases, you will not end up with the wrong contact lens on one eye when you established the right routine to put the lenses on your eye. This can be as easy as always starting with your right eye and cleaning the lens right away securing it in the right contact lens case before you start with the left lens.
Always when you buy lenses make sure the staff or you wrote down on the package of the contacts in which eye you should put which package.
Like I said it happens to every contact lens wearer at some point when they need to find out of the wrong lens is on their eyes right now. I hope the tips above help you cope with the situation better. Your local optician can tell you with short refraction over the lenses you are wearing if you are wearing them on the correct eye. But if you do not have the time and still want to get out with the contacts make sure to take your glasses with you as advised in the paragraphs above.
I wish you a great day.