Irritated eyes caused by lenses is a problem that should not be taken lightly. Well-chosen contact lenses should not give you any discomfort. However, problems can arise when hygiene is not followed, and the wearing time is exceeded. Their first sign is irritation of the eyes.

Contents:

  1. Eye irritation caused by the lenses - causes
  2. Eye irritation caused by the lenses - the most common symptoms
  3. Irritation of the eyes after the lenses - consequences
  4. Eye irritation caused by the lenses - how to avoid infection?

Eyes irritated by the lensespinch, itch, are red. It is not only a matter of discomfort, but also he alth - improperly selected or used lenses can cause eye diseases.

Contact lenses are classified as medical devices. This means that their selection should be done by an ophthalmologist who, apart from the visual defect itself, will also take into account the shape of the eye and the patient's needs.

Eye irritation caused by the lenses - causes

  • Wrong selection of lenses

Each of us has a unique size and shape of the eyeball. Therefore, before choosing contact lenses, a doctor must carefully examine and "measure" the eyes to choose the best contact lenses for a given person.

Symptoms of poor contact lenses may be the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, slight eye pain or irritation, redness and blurred vision. When this happens, an appointment with an ophthalmologist is necessary to change the contact lenses for a better fitting one.

This is very important as improperly selected lenses can damage the surface of the cornea.

  • Allergens in the air

During the period of increased pollenization of plants, but also when we do not clean our apartments often enough, allergens may accumulate on contact lenses, which will cause discomfort when using lenses.

House dust mites are a common eye irritant. Redness and dryness of the eyes will be an allergic reaction. If you suspect any discomfort may be related to an allergic reaction, the first thing you should do is to clean your lenses frequently and thoroughly to remove them.any allergens.

Another way is to use new, day-old lenses every day. It is worth visiting an ophthalmologist, because a specialist can change the lens fluid or choose the right eye drops to reduce allergy symptoms, which can be used together with lenses.

You don't need to remove your contact lenses during the day to apply these drops.

  • Dry Eye Syndrome

People with Dry Eye Syndrome do not produce enough good-quality tears, so their eyes are not properly protected and moisturized. If contact lenses are worn, the tear deficiency will be one of the causes of irritation.

You should also remember that dry eye syndrome may exacerbate, among others, smoking, working at the computer, excess caffeine, and some medications, e.g. birth control pills.

A common symptom of the condition is a nagging feeling of sand under the eyelids, stinging or burning eyes.

It is worth getting the help of a doctor who will check whether we really suffer from dry eye syndrome or whether the cause of the ailments is different. Usually, the use of moisturizing drops is recommended.

Moisten soft contact lenses while wearing them to relieve your eyes and reduce the feeling of dryness and discomfort. It is important to use the correct eye drops for your type of contact lenses.

Eye irritation caused by the lenses - the most common symptoms

People who wear contact lenses most often have:

  • burning, stinging, itchy or sore eyes
  • feeling of a foreign body in the eye
  • watery eyes excessively
  • appearance of pathological discharge in the eye
  • red eyes
  • visual acuity deterioration
  • temporary blurring of the image in front of the eyes
  • photosensitivity (photophobia)
  • dry eyes

If you notice the first symptoms of infection (severe red eyes, pain, burning), you should absolutely remove contact lenses and do not use them until the ophthalmologist decides that it is safe to return to their use.

Irritation of the eyes after the lenses - consequences

Most eye infections that occur with contact lens wear are related to poor hygiene when wearing lenses or to drying eyes. With improper use of lenses, the following may occur:

  • keratitis
  • conjunctivitis
  • lens wear syndrome for too long

" Red eye " is a group of diseases that can develop if we stay too longwear lenses or leave them overnight. The disease is caused, among others, by Corneal hypoxia and the accumulation of microorganisms on the surface of the lens that irritate the eye.

Wearing lenses syndrome for too longoccurs when we do not remove contact lenses for too long. Although there are lenses with high oxygen permeability that, according to the manufacturers' claims, can be used without removing them for a month, it should be remembered that not removing lenses at night significantly increases the risk of complications associated with wearing them.

Conjunctivitisis one of the most common eye diseases. It may be infectious, allergic or mechanical in origin. It is an inflammation of the mucosa that covers the eyeball outside and the eyelid from the inside, the characteristic symptom of which is eye congestion.

Conjunctivitis may be accompanied by:

  • strong redness of the eye
  • itching
  • swelling of the eyelids
  • tearing excess
  • photophobia
  • discharge that sticks lashes together

Eye infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Their reason, in the case of contact lens wearers, is mainly the failure to observe hygiene when putting on and storing lenses.

Improperly cared for glass surface becomes a habitat for bacteria and other microorganisms.

Bacterial or protozoal conjunctivitis can also occur when we swim in contact lenses in a swimming pool, in the sea or visit a sauna.

Inflammation with a bacterial basis requires intensive treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

Lack of hygiene when putting on contact lenses can also lead to keratitis.

The most common cause of infectious keratitis is the disruption of the epithelium caused by mechanical injuries, and thus opening the path for the penetration of microorganisms into the cornea.

Such an injury may result in wearing a scratched or ruptured contact lens. The most common symptoms of keratitis are severe pain, photophobia and eye redness.

Requires an urgent visit to an ophthalmologist and prompt treatment. Keratitis can leave scars that can affect visual acuity.

Eye irritation caused by the lenses - how to avoid infection?

To avoid viral or bacterial conjunctivitis or keratitis, care should be taken with respect to contact lenses. It is very important to wash your hands thoroughly before putting on and taking off your lenses, and to use a lens fluid to remove anyprotein residues, accumulated bacteria and other contaminants on their surface. To avoid getting infected:

  • do not wash the lenses with water
  • do not wear lenses for too long
  • do not sleep with your lenses (this also applies to naps)
  • always wash your hands before touching the lenses
  • do not swim in contact lenses
  • store lenses in a special container and liquid
  • change the fluid in the container every day (rinse the container thoroughly)
  • put on your lenses first, then apply makeup
  • remove the lenses and then remove make-up
  • follow the specialist's recommendations

Contact lenses are a modern and convenient way to improve the quality of your eyesight. However, let's not forget to use them consciously and under the supervision of a specialist. Otherwise, they can cause unpleasant complications and even a significant deterioration of eyesight.

About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Consultationbow. Dawid WiącekIn 2014, he graduated from the Medical Academy in Wrocław. Currently, he is completing his specialization training in the field of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology SPSK im. prof. W. Orłowski CMKP in Warsaw. Interests in refractive surgery and keratoconus. At the Libermedic clinic, she deals with patients after laser vision correction, keratoconus correction and the selection of contact lenses.