Changing seasons and contact lenses

Optometrist, owner of Campbell & McDearmid Optometrists, and Johnson & Johnson professional affairs consultant, Faye McDearmid, says that more consideration and attention should be given to our eye care as we unhook our coats for wearing once more – and this is especially true for contact lens wearers.

“Seasonal change is one of the biggest influences on how contact lenses perform, and it’s something myself and the team is always conscious of in patients and ourselves,” she told OT.

Here, McDearmid shares the five steps that she and her practice team follow to ensure patients are aware of the changes that seasons can bring for contact lens wearers.

1 Step 1: Remind patients that the environment is always changing

“In spring and summer, we’re dealing with pollen, allergens and brighter conditions, which can make eyes more reactive or sensitive, even if vision remains stable. Then we move into autumn and winter, and everything shifts – there’s colder air, central heating, darker evenings and far more time spent indoors. That combination can really impact both comfort and clarity in contact lens wearers.

“Over the periods, we talk to patients openly about these changes, emphasising that their contact lenses haven’t suddenly become a problem; instead, the environment around their eyes has changed quite dramatically. When they understand that, it becomes much easier to manage expectations and make small adjustments.

“Recognising those seasonal triggers early helps prevent minor irritation from becoming something that affects long-term contact lens wear.”

We remind patients that identifying small issues early gives us the best chance of resolving them quickly and keeping them successfully in their contact lenses

2 Step 2: We ask better questions to uncover hidden problems

“One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned over the years is that patients don’t always volunteer problems unless you ask very specific questions.

“In the testing room, if I simply ask, “How are you getting on?”, the answer is almost always “fine,” even when there are underlying issues. Instead, I’ll ask about particular scenarios, such as how their eyes feel at the end of the day, whether night driving has become more difficult, or if they notice dryness in heated environments. Seasonal challenges tend to show up in patterns, and unless we explore those patterns, they’re easy to miss.

“I also think it’s important to create an environment where patients feel comfortable being honest. Patients shouldn’t worry that raising a concern means they’ll be told to stop wearing their contact lenses. This is where my practice team supports too. When a contact lens patient comes into practice, the team, who are mostly contact lens wearers themselves, will ask how they are getting on. They are aware of how comfort changes for them over the seasons and can share their personal experiences.

“We remind patients that identifying small issues early gives us the best chance of resolving them quickly and keeping them successfully in their contact lenses.”

3 Step 3: Focus on lighting and daily environment

“Lighting and the environment play a huge role in how well contact lenses perform, particularly as we move into the darker months. In the summer, natural daylight does a lot of the work for us, but in the winter we rely heavily on artificial lighting, which isn’t always positioned or designed well.

“I often advise patients to think about where their light source is coming from – ideally over the shoulder rather than shining directly into the eyes, which can create glare and discomfort.

“Heating is another major factor. Air that’s blowing directly onto the face, whether at home, at work or in the car, can quickly dry the tear film and make lenses feel gritty.

“Even small behavioural changes, like redirecting airflow or improving task lighting, can make a noticeable difference to a contact lens wearer’s comfort.

“These are simple, practical adjustments, but they can significantly improve both comfort and visual performance without needing to change contact lenses.”

4 Step 4: Anticipate seasonal vision changes, especially with multifocals

“Multifocal contact lens wearers are often the first to notice seasonal changes, particularly when it comes to vision. As lighting conditions worsen in autumn and winter, our pupils naturally dilate, which can affect how multifocal optics perform.

“Patients might find that reading in dim light becomes more challenging, or that night driving isn’t as clear as it was before. Rather than waiting for this to become frustrating, I try to anticipate it.

“For some patients, that might mean a small adjustment to their prescription during the winter months, such as a near enhancement to support reading in lower light. It’s about recognising that visual needs aren’t static throughout the year. Just as people might use different glasses for different tasks, we can adapt contact lens strategies to suit seasonal demands, helping patients maintain consistent, comfortable vision.”

It’s about recognising that visual needs aren’t static throughout the year. Just as people might use different glasses for different tasks, we can adapt contact lens strategies to suit seasonal demands

5 Step 5: Encourage patients to speak up early and often

“One thing we emphasise most in my practice is that patients shouldn’t struggle in silence. Too often, people tolerate discomfort or visual changes because they assume it’s just part of wearing contact lenses, or they worry they’ll be told to reduce wear time.

“Throughout the patient journey, the team and I always reassure patients. We emphasise that our goal is to keep them in contact lenses comfortably for as long as they want to wear them. We highlight that seasonal issues are incredibly common, and in most cases they’re very manageable. Whether it’s recommending tear film support, adjusting lens type, or simply offering practical advice, there are usually straightforward solutions. The key is timing.

“We make sure they are aware that the earlier we know about a problem, the easier it is to fix. Open communication makes all the difference, and it helps prevent small, seasonal challenges from turning into reasons to drop out of contact lens wear altogether.”