Could my contact lenses come labeled backwards (right and left)?

Question

I picked up a single pair of contacts last week (my doctor is still finding the right fit), and they were labeled "R" and "L" on the two boxes. I put them in accordingly, and they were blurry and/or out of focus. So, after a couple days, I tried them in the opposite eyes. No more blurriness, and they focus fine after blinking. I am positive I didn't mix them up originally. Is it possible that they were mislabeled? The labels were little sticky dots with a hand-written "R" and "L" on them. My next appointment isn't for another week, and I don't know what to do until then. Was it a simple mislabeling error by the assistant, or does my doctor have it backwards somehow?

Answer 1

Sounds like someone at your doctor's office put labels on your contacts so that you would know which eye to put them, probably incorrectly. Are they inside out? If I put my contacts inside out, they give me a fisheye perspective and does not feel smooth against the eye and lid. Though from what you described, it sounds like the doc's office put the labels on the wrong contact box.

I suggest that you ask your doctor for your prescription and what it translates into for contacts and keep it written down. Both of my eyes are currently the same prescription, but i used to have wear a different contact for each eye.

Answer 2

Could be either. I'd call the office and match the actual prescription to their records. That happened to me once. Makes you feel a little crazy, hu?