Why Your Contacts May Be Causing Discomfort

Contact lenses are an excellent alternative to eyeglasses for those who need prescription eye care. This allows individuals to participate in outdoor activities or sports without having to worry about their eyeglasses breaking or falling off. In addition, since the contacts sit directly on the eye, they are able to offer all-around vision with no peripheral obstruction that the frames of eyeglasses tend to give. Unfortunately, the proximity of a contact lens to the cornea can result in red, dry, and itchy eyes. Here are the reasons for this kind of discomfort and what you can do about them.

Inadequate Moisture

The eye has a very thin protective film that covers its entire surface. This film consists of a mixture of water, oil, and proteins that permits the lens to sit comfortably and hug the surface seamlessly. In the event that your eyes become too dry, the edges of the contacts can cause friction. To help restore moisture to your eyes, you can use over-the-counter artificial tears.

Poor Hygiene

Prior to handling your contact lenses, it is imperative that you wash your hands—even if you believe your hands are clean. In doing so, you are reducing the risk of introducing any kind of dirt, dust, or other irritating particles into your eyes. You should also follow any care instructions that your eye doctor has given you regarding your contacts, such as avoiding the reuse of daily disposable contact lenses. You should always remove your contacts at bedtime. If you fail to do this, you are putting yourself at a greater risk of developing bacterial infections like pseudomonas keratitis, which can potentially result in permanent blindness if it does not receive prompt treatment.

Ill Fit

Despite what people may believe, contact lenses do not come in a one-size-fits-all. Everyone's cornea is a different shape and size. For an individual who has astigmatism, which is when the cornea is not curved as it should be, a professional may suggest specialized toric lenses that are shaped similar to a doughnut as opposed to the traditional spherical contact lenses.

Your vision is something that is necessary, used on a daily basis, and should never be taken for granted. If you are interested in switching your eyeglasses for contacts, talk to your eye doctor today and make sure to keep an eye out for the above-mentioned discomfort issues. If you have already made the switch and you are experiencing any of the aforementioned types of discomfort, speak to your eye doctor immediately to see what steps can be taken to remedy the discomfort.

For more information, contact an eye clinic like Northwest Ophthalmology.