An estimated 45 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses.
If you are one of the millions that wears contact lenses, then you know how easy and convenient and easy they are to wear. But sometimes, wearing contact lenses doesn’t always go smoothly.
If you have been having issues with your eyes while wearing contact lenses contact an eye doctor near you to help find a solution for your contact lens problem.
SEE RELATED: The Do’s and Don’ts of Wearing Contact Lenses
Here are 8 common problems that can emerge while wearing contact lenses their solutions – pun intended.
1. Burning and itchiness
Experiencing itchiness and burning, after wearing contacts for a short period of time, may be a sign that you are allergic to the contact lens material or to your lens solution.
Speak to an optometrist near you about other brands of contacts or solutions that won’t irritate your eyes.
However, itchiness and burning that is accompanied by a mucous discharge could indicate something more serious than allergies. If this is the case, make sure to contact your eye doctor for prompt treatment.
2. Grittiness
Feeling like there is a grain of sand stuck in your eye can be annoying.
If something is stuck under a contact lens, it can cause grittiness. Remove the contact lens from the affected eye and clean it on both sides with solution.
Store the lens in its case, then flush your eye with cool, sterile water. This will help remove anything that is stuck under the lens eliminating that gritty feeling.
If the grittiness comes back, then you may want to visit your eye doctor to rule out eye conditions like dry eye syndrome and allergies, which can also cause that grittiness discomfort.
3. Blurred vision
When contact lenses aren’t cleaned properly or become damaged can cause blurred vision.
Corneal hypoxia which means that your cornea is starved of oxygen can cause blurred vision. This can happen if contacts are overworn.
Corneal hypoxia requires treatment, if you experience blurred vision, contact an eye doctor near you.
4. Red eyes
A buildup of pollen, smoke particles, dust, pollen, and dirt on your contact lens can redden and irritate your eyes. This can irritate your eyes and make them feel uncomfortable.
The best way to counteract the redness is maintain the highest level of contact lens hygiene.
5. Eye dryness
Sometimes, contact lenses can interfere with the eye’s natural hydration process. Over time, dry eye syndrome can develop, causing uncomfortable symptoms like redness, grittiness, dryness, and watery eyes.
An eye doctor can thoroughly assess the condition and suggest the appropriate treatment. Dry eye syndrome can be caused by several factors, and treatment may vary from patient to patient.
6. Difficult to insert
When contacts aren’t fit properly they can be hard to put in.
It may also be difficult for people with smaller eyes or eyelid openings to insert contact lenses. However, no matter how big or small your eyes are, try to avoid blinking when inserting them. If this inserting contact lenses is difficult, try gently holding your eyes open.
7. Difficult to remove
If trying to remove contact lenses is difficult try the following for an easier removal process:
- Apply a drop or two of artificial tears to your eyes as contacts tend to get stuck on dry eyes
- Slide the lens to the white of your eye (sclera) before pulling it off
- Pull the lens downward towards your bottom lid
If trouble persists, speak with an eye doctor for further assistance.
8. Reduced oxygen flow to the cornea
When the cornea does not get enough oxygen hypoxia occurs.
This is the most common complication of contact lens wear, especially those who wear them for an extended period of time.
The cornea has no blood supply of its own, so it gets oxygen only from tears and directly from the atmosphere.
LEARN MORE: Optical and Contact Lenses
If you have experienced any of the mentioned problems when handling or wearing your contact lenses contact an eye doctor near you so they can help find the best solution to your contact lens problems.
