With contact lenses, you won't have to worry about losing, breaking, or scratching your glasses. However, it does take some effort to use contacts safely. It's a little too simple to forget to clean them, dive into the water while wearing them, or nod off before removing them, all of which might lead to issues.
Remove your contacts if you experience any problems, and then visit the doctor right soon. The sooner you seek assistance, the easier it is to resolve contact issues.
Signs of a Problem
Similar symptoms can be present in a wide range of eye conditions, from simple dry eye to more serious infections. In order to be safe, get medical attention if you have:
Blurred vision
Burning, itching, stinging, or pain in your eye
Eye discharge
Feeling of sand or grit in your eye
Sensitivity to light
More tears than usual or other fluid coming from your eyes
Redness in your eye
Types of Contact Problems
Infections: Although other types of germs can also cause eye infections, bacteria account for the majority of contact lens-related eye illnesses. The front surface of the eye, called the cornea, might enlarge as a result of infections. They can result in severe scarring and visual loss if left untreated. Typically, your doctor would advise you to use antibiotic eye drops to eradicate the infection. A serious and difficult-to-treat infection brought on by a fungus or an amoeba may require months of treatment and even surgery.
Hypoxia: The majority of the oxygen in your cornea comes directly from the air. However, since your contact lens rests on top of the cornea, it could prevent the cornea from getting the oxygen it requires, a condition known as hypoxia. Your cornea may bulge as a result, which can cause more significant issues like vision blur. People who wear extended-wear contacts or who wear them while sleeping are more likely to experience hypoxia.
Most likely, your doctor would advise you to switch to glasses that allow more oxygen in. In order to reduce swelling and prevent the problem from growing worse, they could also prescribe you a steroid to put into your eyes.
Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, results in swollen and flaming eyelids. There are a few different kinds, but the one known as large papillary conjunctivitis is the one you're most likely to get if you use contacts. Actually, it's akin to an allergic reaction since your body fights the contact because it perceives it as unnatural.
If your symptoms are minor, you might not need medical attention; they will likely go away on their own. However, if your condition is more serious, your doctor might prescribe a topical steroid or anti-inflammatories to treat your symptoms, and you might need to temporarily stop wearing your contact lenses. Additionally, your doctor can advise that you use a new kind of solution, daily disposable lenses that you change every day, or lenses made of a different material.
Dry eye: Your cornea is constantly being covered in tears as you blink. This straightforward motion removes dirt, keeps your eyes moist, and reduces your risk of infection. Your eyes may get dry and itchy if you don't produce enough tears or if they don't function as they should. Long-term contact lens use may contribute to this.
Artificial tears sold over-the-counter can be helpful, but be sure to choose ones without preservatives because some of them can make your eyes feel worse. Additionally, ensure sure the drops are labeled "safe for contact lenses" or don't include any preservatives if you use them while wearing contact lenses. Consult your eye doctor if those don't suffice for you. They can suggest other things in addition to prescribing specific eye drops.
Scratched cornea: There are a number distinct ways that contacts can scratch the cornea. When taking off your contacts, for instance, you could scrape your cornea with your finger. The cornea can also be scratched by the lens itself. Additionally, if you don't thoroughly clean your contacts, dirt can accumulate on them and scratch it.
If your eye hurts, feels scratchy, is red and tearing, you should remove your contact lenses immediately and visit your doctor. A corneal scratch typically heals within a day or two, but if it is not treated, it may get infected.
Allergic reactions: You may experience an allergic reaction to the cleaning solution for your contacts or, less frequently, to the substance used to make the contact lenses. You'll need to try a new solution or set of contacts in that situation.
How to Prevent Problems
Choose the proper ones. Your contact lens should match your eye's size and shape. Additionally, different lens types have characteristics that could be better or worse for your eyes. For instance, a contact lens that allows in more air may be better for you if you suffer from hypoxia. To select the best ones, you might occasionally need to try a few. Additionally, find out from your doctor if moving to daily disposable lenses could be beneficial for you.
Be sure to look after them. When cleaning your lenses, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions. For standard care, keep in mind to:
Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well before touching your contacts.
Follow directions closely to clean and disinfect your lenses.
Replace your contacts as often as your doctor tells you to.
Get a new storage case for your lenses as directed -- it’s usually best to replace it every 3 months.
When cleaning your contacts, you might be tempted to try to save a little money, but doing so will end up costing you in the long term. Cutting shortcuts when it comes to your eye health is not wise. Contact solution usage:
Don’t top it off. Dump out whatever’s in your lens case and refill it with fresh solution.
Only use solution that’s made for your type of lenses. Don’t use tap water, distilled water, or anything else on your lenses or in the case.
When you’re on the go, don’t pour solution into a travel-size container -- it can lead to infection. Buy a travel-size bottle of solution instead.
Also, avoid swimming, showering, or sleeping with your contacts in. Your eyes don't get the oxygen they require while you sleep with them in, which might result in hypoxia. Additionally, germs that might cause diseases can be found in lakes, oceans, hot tubs, pools, and tap water.
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