Wearing your contacts for extended periods may cause discomfort, as with anything you wear for long periods of time. The key to preventing a minor discomfort from becoming a major issue is to know what to do.
Why do contact lenses cause discomfort?
An excellent alternative to glasses are contact lenses. It is another way to see clearly.
In spite of all the advancements in technology and materials of contact lenses, some people may feel discomfort while wearing them. Your eyes may feel dry when you put contact lenses onto your eyes, dryness from contact lenses is a common symptom experienced. The good news is that in most cases discomfort from contact lenses can be resolved by following care tips or changing the type or brand of your contact lenses.
How can you avoid contact lens discomfort?
These are a few tips In order to avoid discomfort associated with contact lenses:
- It is a good idea to take your lenses out once you get home, put on your glasses and give your eyes a break, so that you are not wearing contact lenses too long.
- Contact lenses worn longer than they were designed for can also cause discomfort. A good example of it would be wearing daily replacement lenses for more than a day.
- If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms from your contact lenses, which can include; dryness, watery eyes, painful eyes, redness, visit our office for a dry eye exam. During the dry eye exam our eye doctor will assess the underlying causes for your symptoms and recommend treatment options or switching to a different brand or type of contact lenses. While artificial tear drops can be used to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes, they do not address the actual cause of your symptoms. You should see an eye doctor to address the underlying causes of dryness so that you can wear your lenses without any discomfort.
How to take care of your contact lenses?
Wearing contact lenses requires a sense of maturity and responsibility. Make sure to always keep your hands clean when handling your lenses. If you wear monthly or biweekly contact lenses, you should clean them frequently. In order to eliminate bacteria that may be present on the case, it is also recommended to change your contact lenses case periodically.
Why shouldn’t you ignore discomfort?
In addition to the initial short acclimation period, you should experience no discomfort while wearing contact lenses, and especially not persistent discomfort. It should be as if you are not even wearing contact lenses. Whenever you're feeling uncomfortable, take care to deal with it properly so that a bigger problem doesn't arise down the line.
If you experience discomfort, it is always a good idea to schedule a contact lens exam with our eye doctor. If the discomfort is minor or you are scheduled for an annual eye exam in the coming weeks, be sure to mention any discomfort you may be experiencing during your annual eye exam. There are different types of lenses that are better suited to different people, and our doctor can recommend a solution that suits you.
