Contact Lenses

Complications of Contact Lens Wear
Although contact lenses are quite safe, complications can occur. Annual (or more often, as recommended by your eye doctor) exams can help catch some problems before they become more serious. Some of the more common complications are eye infections, which are most common in those who sleep in their lenses, and problems from contact lens overwear. Problems associated with contact lens overwear include temporary blurriness from swelling of the front of the eye, or temporary reduced clarity of vision from the front of the eye becoming rough. Eye infections can be uncomfortable, and may cause permanent damage to the eye or vision. You must not wear your contact lenses while you have an eye infection. Other conditions can also cause permanent damage, such as the growth of blood vessels into the front of the eye where they do not belong (which may get so long that you can no longer be prescribed contact lenses).

If you have a red eye, do NOT wear your contact lenses that day. You should come in to have your eye looked at, as you could have an infection needing treatment.

If your lens is torn or chipped, you must NOT wear it. The damaged lens may damage your eye. Our patients who are current with their exams can simply call to get a replacement lens.

If your eyes are dry, scratchy, or gritty feeling with your contact lenses on, you may be having a mild reaction to your cleaning solution. One day disposable lenses often solve this problem. Otherwise, switching cleaning solution may help. There are many good cleaning solutions you could switch to, but make sure first that you are switching to a solution that is appropriate for your contact lenses and for your eyes. The hydrogen peroxide solutions are gentlest and most effective. Your eyes could simply be a bit dry. You may try using contact lens rewetting drops, or try removing the lenses and soaking them in the proper solution for 15 minutes to rehydrate them. If these suggestions don't help, you need to be seen to determine if anything else can be done, such as refitting in a different type of lenses, or fixing an eye health problem with your eyes.


BACK TO TOP