Contact lenses are designed to enhance your vision without the need for glasses. Although not all eyes and vision problems are suited for contacts, most of the time, contacts can be comfortably worn without problems or complications. However, some problems can arise due to contact lens wear, which can be related to how a person cares for her contacts or just general eye problems.
Hypersensitivity
When a contact lens wearer uses a lens cleaning solution that irritates the eye or does not properly clean the contact after every use, it is possible for a person to develop hypersensitivity, both of the eyes and the eyelids. When this occurs, a person may experience symptoms such as difficulty moving the eyeball, mucus buildup in the eye or noticeable redness in the eye.
Corneal Ulceration
When a person wears a contact lens, the amount of oxygen delivered to the eye is reduced. However, if oxygen is significantly reduced, this can result in increased risk of infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to Healthscout.com, more than 12,000 people experience corneal ulcers in America each year. These type of infections are more common in soft contact lenses because these lenses are more comfortable during wear than other types, such as gas permeable lenses. Infections are most often caused from wearing your contacts to long, failing to clean the contacts and not using a lens rewetting drop in order to lubricate the eye during wear.
Discomfort
Contact lenses must be measured in order to ensure they will fit on the eye. Lenses can be too loose, too tight, develop scratches, or develop calcium deposits, according to Richmond Eye Associates. All of these problems can contribute to intense feelings of discomfort, such as making the eyes feel scratchy or dry or become noticeably red. If these conditions occur, you should see your eye care professional in order to re-assess the sizing of your contacts.
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis
Those who utilize long-term wear contact lenses must regularly use enzyme treatments in order to remove protein deposits that can build up on the contact lens over time. If a person does not adequately clean the contact lens, a condition known as giant papillary conjunctivitis can occur. This condition is typified by the appearance of lumps underneath the eyelid, itching, discharge or redness. Contact use may be discontinued as a result until this condition has fully healed, according to Richmond Eye Associates.
