Contact lenses create an local environment under the lens which the eye surface becomes tolerant to. When you remove the lens, there is a more direct introduction of atmospheric conditions to the eye surface and it has to re-adapt. For most, this is a simple and quick adjustment but some will experience a certain degree of discomfort and a foreign body sensation can also occur. The fact that you have this for a prolonged period suggests a problem with tear flow or composition or perhaps the fit of the lens. This would be usefully discussed with your ophthalmologist.


This question was originally answered on Nov. 6, 2012.