Common Contact Lens Concerns and Fixes

Contact lenses are an excellent option for millions of people that wear glasses. But not all contacts are right for everyone. It’s also essential to understand how to wear and handle contacts appropriately to prevent complications. 

​There are different types of contact lenses, including soft and hard lenses. There are also daily wear lenses and extended wear lenses. Contacts may have different diameters, curves, and thickness. 

The type of lenses that may work best for you depends on the vision problem you are trying to correct and your lifestyle. It’s helpful to work with your eye doctor to determine what types of lenses would be best. 

​Getting the Right Fit

During a contact lens fitting, your eye doctor takes different measurements to make sure your lenses will fit comfortably. Your doctor may also do a tear film evaluation to make sure your tears are adequate to keep your lenses moist.

Your eye doctor may also provide you with a set of trial lenses to make sure they are the right choice. A slit lamp test may also be performed to check the movement and position of your lenses while you look in different directions.

Once you get your permanent lenses, it’s also important to schedule a follow-up visit with your eye doctor to confirm the contacts fit well and are correcting your vision problem.

If your contact lenses are fitted correctly, they should be comfortable. If your lenses don’t feel right or you are not tolerating wearing them for as long as you like, talk with your eye doctor. Even if all is well with your lenses, you should schedule a yearly eye exam to make sure the lenses are not causing any problems.  
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Preventing Contact Complications

Most people can wear contact lenses without any significant problems. Today’s lenses are made to be comfortable and easy to use. But complications and side effects are possible. Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of problems by taking certain precautions.

Infection
Infection is probably one of the most serious complications of wearing contacts. Signs of an eye infection include pain in the eye, yellow or green watery discharge, and a gritty feeling in the eye. To prevent eye infections, be sure to wash your hands before handling your contacts. Only wear your lenses for as long as recommended by the manufacturer. Additionally, every few months, replace your contact lens case to prevent bacteria from forming. Also, only use contact lens care products for your lenses.

Dry eyes
While contacts may not cause dry eyes, they can make the condition worse in people that already deal with the problem. Symptoms of dry eye include irritation, a scratchy feeling in the eyes, and light sensitivity. If you have dry eyes, certain manufacturers make lenses specifically to decrease dry eyes when wearing contacts. You can also use lubricating eye drops to minimize dryness.

Allergies
Many people have eye allergies that are not related to contacts, but it is also possible to be allergic to the lenses themselves or the contact solution. Signs you may be allergic to your contacts or lens solution include redness, itchiness, and blurred vision. If you think you are allergic to your solution, switching lens care products may help. If that does not improve your symptoms, talk with your eye doctor.

Corneal abrasion
It is also possible to scratch the cornea when putting your lenses in or taking them out. Corneal abrasions are more common if you are wearing rigid lenses. Symptoms of a corneal abrasion include eye pain, tearing, and redness. Putting in and removing lenses carefully decreases your risk of a corneal abrasion.

If you develop an irritation or an infection, it’s best to stop wearing your lenses regardless of the cause. Be sure to have a pair of glasses on hand to wear while your eyes heal.

If you have questions about contact lenses, our team is happy to help. Also, if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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