Contact lenses in lockdown ...

[PerditaProvokesEnmity]

Surprising ... I've always assumed that my lenses' propensity to become a bit uncomfortable and gritty after a few days (even behind sunglasses,) was caused by my eyes. I kept them out for the first few weeks of lockdown but found I was screwing up my eyes in zoom calls so put them in. And now I hardly know I'm wearing them.

No dust, no grime, no streets, trains, tube; the difference is incredible.

Anyone else noticed this?

I could be a lot of things OP - the end of the hay fever season, you drinking more water, getting older, younger, it could be the tube.
Computers often make wearing lenses more difficult as your blink rate slows down.

You should always remove any contact lenses that are even slightly uncomfortable or if your eye becomes red. You must see your optometrist if the eye is red 24 hours later, or you see a white spot on the coloured part of the eye. Contact lenses do give you a higher chance of getting a corneal eye infection, which could lead to blindness. Which is why it's very important that they're fitted correctly.

What's your prescription OP?

Hmm - I wouldn't have said it's a seasonal thing as it happens occasionally all through the year. I've been wearing lenses for about thirty years now - no other worries and have never had any eye infection. Regular eye tests, etc. I do take them out if uncomfortable. My eyes are only red if I rub them. No white spots!

Moderate short sight, hydrogel monthly lenses, slightly different prescription for each eye.

I have simply noticed a marked improvement in comfort while I've been entirely at home. (Where I've been peering at my phone/ laptop even more than usual.) I mostly feel relieved that it wasn't my eyes causing the intermittent discomfort - and resentful of the invisible floating grime I was walking through before lockdown.

I agree op mine get gritty when i wear them out but not when i wear them inside.

Sometimes just giving your eyes a break can make a difference too. Glad they're feeling better.
Do go an see your Optometrist though, contact lenses shouldn't feel uncomfortable, there will be other brand and moditilies you can try if your current ones aren't great. I see children (or did post lock down), but there are certain brands like Daysoft that are not great.

I always wore glasses to work as I couldn't deal with air con and lenses, my eyes would be rubble and dry. On holiday and weekends I'd happily wear lenses.

Perhaps I haven't explained well? The lenses themselves fit well and are absolutely fine (lenses have improved so much over three decades) - it's just the grit that inserts itself when I'm out that is a problem.

But thanks for the advice!

jay - please tell me rubble is a real adjective I haven't heard before - and not a typo?

But yes, I can imagine air con is disastrous for lenses. Just as bad as holidays in hot, dusty countries.