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Dear Stoner: I’ve started wearing contacts, but every time I smoke weed my eyes get really irritated, and the contacts often fall out. Even eye drops don’t help. It’s been a pain at concerts and while hiking around Denver. Is this common, and do you have any ideas?
Mister Ketchup
Dear Mister Ketchup: Smoking cannabis is thought to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the eyes, causing vessels to enlarge (and make us look like red-eyed troublemakers). Puffing a fat jay with your friends before a Red Rocks concert will also temporarily reduce tear reduction, drying out your eyes. All of this action going on between the ears could impact how your contacts fit, especially in Colorado’s high altitude.
Dry eyes are a common side effect of smoking cannabis, which can lead to irritation if you wear contacts.
Unsplash/Bacila Vlad
Dehydration and dry eyes are both well-known and easily treatable side effects of smoking weed. Drink a lot of water, and buy an expensive bottle of contact-friendly eyedrops for special occasions to make sure those peepers don’t get too thirsty (especially in front of Mrs Ketchup, you dawg). Or, just wear glasses. They’re not that bad.
Send questions to marijuana@westword.com.
