Why Are Your Contacts Irritating Your Eyes?

When everything is going as planned, you should not even notice that your contact lenses are in your eyes. If your eyes are irritated, feel dry, or begin turning red when you put your contacts in, something is amiss. Here's a look at some of the most likely possibilities.

The contacts are inside-out.

This is a mistake commonly made by new lens wearers. When you look at the lens on your finger before inserting it, the upper edges should curl slightly inwards -- not outwards. If they do not curve inwards, you need to pop the lens inside-out. It will cause a lot of irritation if you try to wear it the wrong way.

You're allergic to your contact solution.

There are many brands of contact solution. Some people are allergic or sensitive to ingredients in certain brands of solution. If you recently switched to a new brand, switch back to your old one and see if that makes a difference. You can also ask your eye doctor to recommend a solution that's made specifically for sensitive eyes.

There are allergens trapped on your contacts.

Are you allergic to any environmental allergens, like pollen or mold spores? It's possible that these particles have become stuck to your contacts. So, whenever you insert your lenses, you're introducing your eyes to the allergens, which causes irritation and watering. Change over to a new pair of lenses and see if that helps. Make sure you handle the lenses with clean fingers, and avoid wearing them when there are a lot of allergens in the air so you don't experience the same problem again.

Your eyes are not producing enough tears.

Do the lenses start off feeling okay, but then become irritating after an hour or two of wear? Your eyes may not be producing enough tears to keep your corneas lubricated. You can try using lubricating eye drops every couple of hours to soothe your eyes. Make sure you use a formula specifically labeled for use with contact lenses. If this does not solve the problem, your eye doctor may recommend medications to increase tear production. Unfortunately, many patients with ongoing dry eye issues cannot continue wearing contacts and have to switch back to glasses.

Do not just ignore discomfort that comes with wearing your contact lenses. It's a sign that something is amiss. Talk to your eye doctor if you need help getting to the bottom of what's causing your irritation.

For more information, you will want to contact a company such as Hudson Vision Source.

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