{"id":7880,"date":"2020-09-14T12:08:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T12:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=7880"},"modified":"2021-08-10T12:28:42","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T12:28:42","slug":"common-contact-lens-problems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/optical\/guide-to-contact-lenses\/common-contact-lens-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Contact Lens Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

While wearing contact lenses is a safe alternative to eyeglasses, they can come with problems that you may not expect\u2014 especially if you are a new contact lens wearer.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here are some of the most common contact lens problems, and how to avoid them.<\/i><\/p>\n

Damaged contact lens<\/b><\/h3>\n

Tears, chips, and cracks to a contact lens can happen, and are common complaints among contact lens wearers. If the contact lens is damaged in any way, do not insert into your eye.<\/b><\/p>\n

Always inspect your contact lenses<\/a> prior to insertion to ensure that there are no chips, splits or tears in the contact lens.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, when contact lenses are disinfected, they can become damaged in the process. Even if the lens is not torn, but appears slightly warped, it is best to discard the lens and open a fresh lens package. Warping can happen if the lens is accidentally squeezed or if the storage case is kept in a room where the temperature is too warm.<\/p>\n

A damaged lens can scratch or irritate your cornea, putting your eye at risk of damage or even infection, and a warped lens may not sit correctly on the cornea, making it difficult to correct a refractive error.<\/p>\n

Moreover, inadequate lens care or use of makeup, creams, or hairspray while wearing contact lenses, can cause a buildup of proteins and fatty deposits on the surface of the lens. When this happens, the lens is at greater risk of contamination from bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which can result in corneal irritation.<\/p>\n

To avoid damaged lenses, carefully follow your optometrist\u2019s instructions on how to properly check, clean and care for your contact lenses.<\/p>\n

Dry eyes<\/b><\/h3>\n

If your eyes feel dry after wearing your contact lenses for a few hours, it may be due to reduced blinking.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

It has been proven that contact lens wearers blink less frequently than non-contact lens wearers\u2014 and when sitting in front of a TV or computer screen, blink frequency is even further reduced.<\/p>\n

To avoid dry eyes<\/a>, not only should you try to blink more often, but most doctors recommend using lubricating eye drops<\/a> to provide the much needed moisture.<\/p>\n

Consult with your optometrist before starting a new eye drop, since not all eye drops are compatible with contact lenses.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

If dry eyes continue to be a problem, and eye drops do not seem to relieve your discomfort, your optometrist may recommend switching your brand of contact lenses to a brand specifically designed for dry eyes.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, dry eyes may be caused by dust, smoke, the effects of certain medications, and even air conditioning.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

If your environment is causing your dry eyes, try to make some lifestyle changes to avoid these factors as much as possible\u2014 or keep a pair of glasses nearby in case you need to remove your lenses in the middle of the day.<\/p>\n

Eye discomfort at night<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you are experiencing eye discomfort toward the end of the day, you may be wearing your contact lenses for too many hours.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

To avoid this problem, many doctors recommend removing your lenses at the end of your work day, or after dinner, instead of right before bedtime.<\/p>\n

If this is not possible, speak with your optometrist about switching to lenses that contain a higher oxygen permeability. This type of lens is known for its ability to maintain hydration throughout the day\u2014 allowing for longer, more comfortable wear.<\/p>\n

If you suspect you have an eye condition,\u00a0contact an eye doctor<\/b><\/a>\u00a0near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/strong>Top 10 Tips For Contact Lens Wearers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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