Why do my contacts hurt?

Cornea scratched?: The cornea (clear part of the eye where the contact lens sticks to) is very pain-sensitive. If one has pain after putting in a contact lens, there may be a torn contact lens, some dirt or an eyelash under the contact lens, a scratch on the cornea, or an infection of the cornea. The contact lens should be taken out right away, and rinsed and examined. If the eye still hurts, a doctor can evaluate.

Wrong fit: Contacts can hurt for different reasons. The most common include dry eyes, old or dry contacts, poorly fit contacts or a torn lens. Any of these can lead to corneal irritation, scratches and ultimately infection. Your best bet is to discard them and try a new pair. If they are still uncomfortable, you should see an eye doctor to evaluate your corneas and re-fit your lenses.