Despite the prevalence of contact lenses as the medical device of choice for correcting refractive errors, many are still experiencing discomfort while wearing them. So, what are the possible causes and remedies for this issue?
Causes of Contact Lens Discomfort
For your contact lenses to work properly, you need to take care of them diligently and follow the maintenance and replacement schedule recommended by your eye care professional. Experiencing discomfort while wearing contact lenses can be because of various reasons, including:
- Poor fit – Your contact lenses may not be the right fit for your eyes’ unique size and shape.
- Dry eyes – Contact lens wearers may feel discomfort while wearing contacts if they don’t produce enough tears to keep eyes moist and lubricated. This condition can either be inherent or acquired.
- Allergens – Dust and dander can stick to the surface of the lenses, causing eye irritation.
Remedies for Contact Lens Discomfort
Numerous remedies are available that can help alleviate discomfort while wearing contact lenses. These include the following:
- Artificial tears – These can relieve occasional dryness in the eyes. Your eye doctor may prescribe drops that are compatible with the contacts you’re wearing.
- Nutritional supplements – Omega-3 fatty acids, which are also present in fish like salmon and flaxseed oil, can help improve the oily part of the tear, which discourages tear evaporation.
- Punctal occlusion – This involves the use of punctal plugs to block the ducts that drain tears away from the eyes to keep more moisture in your eyes.
Reminder for Contact Lens Discomfort
If you experience symptoms, such as a burning or itching sensation, feeling like a foreign body is stuck in your eyes, redness or blurred vision, immediately remove your contact lenses. Take a closer look at your lenses; if they’re damaged, don’t put them back in your eyes. Put them in their storage case. and contact your eye care professional. Otherwise, clean, rinse, and disinfect the lenses.
If, however, the symptoms persist after you remove your lenses or upon reinserting your new set of lenses, be sure to schedule an eye exam right away. Sometimes, a minor irritation, if left untreated, can develop into a more serious problem – occasionally one that can be sight-threatening. Your doctor can identify an underlying cause of your discomfort – an infection, corneal ulcer or iritis – and provide prompt treatment to avoid serious eye damage.
Trust Guilford Eye Center for all your family eye care needs. We bring you the latest in ophthalmic care, more than six decades of combined experience and state of the art equipment. Call (336) 292-4516, or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We serve residents of Greensboro, NC, and the surrounding communities.
