Although contact lenses (LACs) have undergone a profound evolution since their invention, sometimes they still cause a little discomfort. Some of the reasons for this discomfort are specks of dust or dirt, tears in the lenses themselves, dry eyes, or the lenses are old or fit poorly in the eye. In some circumstances, there may be an underlying complication that generates pain and discomfort; so if you have any doubts, it is best to discuss it with your ophthalmologist. You should be able to recognize the problem and fix it through a simple diagnostic process.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Recognize and Diagnose the Problem
Step 1. Identify the symptoms
If you feel eye discomfort when using LACs, you may experience numerous sensations. Other symptoms are not always noticeable, but you can see them in the mirror or they can be noticed by the people around you. The most common are:
- Stinging, burning or itching sensation in the eye;
- Gradual reduction of comfort as the lens remains inserted;
- Foreign body sensation;
- Excessive tearing
- Abnormal fluid secretions
- Blurred vision or reduced vision
- Perception of halos, rainbows or spheres around objects in the field of view;
- Sensitivity to light;
- Dryness;
- Redness.
Step 2. Pay attention to allergy signs
This is a common disorder that causes eye irritation especially among contact lens wearers. Airborne allergens can adhere to ACLs and if you don't remove, clean or replace them as often as you should, exposure to these substances triggers eye irritation.
- If you know you have seasonal, animal, or other common environmental sensitivities, consider taking an antihistamine daily.
- You can buy over-the-counter eye drops that contain allergy active ingredients; they are effective for fighting swelling, inflammation and irritation.
- Always follow the directions on the packaging of ACLs or those given to you by your ophthalmologist regarding how often you should remove or replace them.
Step 3. Check when you enter them
Wearing this optical device for longer than recommended will encourage deposits to build up on its surface, which can lead to moderate or severe irritation. Always make sure of the wear life of your lenses to avoid this trivial problem.
- Each person has a different level of tolerance regarding the duration of continuous contact lens wear.
- Each manufacturer provides specific guidelines regarding wearing times before having to remove or replace lenses; these indications are approved by the Ministry of Health and should be indicated on the packaging.
Step 4. Take into account the age of the lenses
Wearing ones that are past the recommended replacement date exposes you to the same protein and mineral buildups that form when you don't take them off for too long. Continuing to use old products increases the risk that they can tear and, consequently, irritate or damage the eyes.
- Always respect the replacement schedule on the LAC packaging.
- In general, bi-weekly silicone hydrogel lenses should be changed every two weeks, monthly ones made with the same material are replaced once every four weeks, while daily disposable lenses must be discarded at the end of each day.
Step 5. Determine how long you have been using LACs
If you are a novice wearer, the eyes need some time to adjust to the "foreign body"; trying to keep them inserted all day without testing can cause pain, discomfort and irritation.
- During the first two days limited to a port of four hours (or even less);
- You can increase the duration up to eight hours on the third and fourth day;
- On the fifth and sixth days, reduce the duration to six hours;
- In the seventh and eighth, take it for ten hours;
- Try wearing them for twelve consecutive hours only after using them for at least nine or ten days.
Step 6. Make sure they're not inside out
This is a fairly common problem among new wearers, who are unable to determine the direction of the lenses and insert them incorrectly, causing discomfort. An easy way to check the lens is to place it on the tip of a clean finger and observe its shape. Hold it at eye level and inspect it carefully - does it look more like a half sphere or a deep plate with the edges facing out? If it looks like a hemisphere, it is in the right direction to be applied; if the edges are flattened on the outside, the lens is inside out.
Step 7. Learn to recognize the signs of a serious problem
Most irritating or annoying eye disorders are caused by environmental factors, such as allergens, dust or incorrect use of contact lenses; however, the cause is sometimes something more important. If you experience any of the following symptoms, see your eye doctor immediately:
- Severe eye pain;
- Edema;
- Persistent redness or irritation;
- Signs of infection
- Flashes of light;
- Persistent blurry vision
- Sudden loss of vision
- Viscous secretion.
Method 2 of 4: Remove the debris from the eyes
Step 1. Wash your hands thoroughly
You should always do this before handling contact lenses or touching your eyes; by doing so, you prevent dust and germs from contaminating the eye causing irritation or infection.
- Use clean running water to wet your hands.
- Apply soap and scrub your hands to create the lather. be sure to cover the backs and palms, the area between the fingers and under the nails.
- Scrub for at least twenty seconds to sanitize each part and give the soap plenty of time to work.
- Rinse with running water.
- Use a clean, lint-free cloth to dry your hands.
- Make sure your nails are short and smooth to avoid accidentally scratching your eyes.
Step 2. Rinse the lenses
Gently pinch them and carefully remove them from each eye; once extracted, you must rinse them with the special solution to eliminate any residue that generates irritation.
- Sprinkle some liquid on the palm of your hand and pour it into the concavity of the lenses.
- Use the index finger of your other hand to gently rub the lens into the solution you put on your palm; be careful not to damage it with your fingernail.
- Shake off the excess solution and repeat the procedure for the other lens.
- When you're not wearing them, take a moment to inspect them for tears; damaged lenses can cause a lot of pain, discomfort and potentially ruin your eyes.
Step 3. Reinsert the cleaned LACs
After rinsing them (and while your hands are still clean) put them in your eyes. You must proceed very carefully to avoid damaging the optical device or the eyes, especially with fingernails.
- Check that your hands are dry, otherwise the lenses stick to your finger.
- Place the ACL on the tip of your index finger.
- Use the other hand to lift and hold the upper lid and lashes open; make sure that the lashes are completely out of the insertion trajectory.
- Slowly bring the ACL into contact with the surface of the eye; do not force it, otherwise you run the risk of pricking your eye by yourself.
- Do not blink as the lens moves to find the correct seat.
Step 4. Clean the container
You should rinse it every day and wash it with soap once a week; you should also buy a new one every three months to make sure your lenses are always clean.
- Use the disinfectant solution to rinse the container every time you insert the lenses; replace the remaining one every day to prevent it from becoming contaminated.
- Use liquid soap (dish soap or an antibacterial hand cleaner) and warm water to wash it thoroughly at least once a week.
- After washing, pour in some new disinfectant liquid and make sure the lenses are completely submerged each time you put them away.
- Replace the container every three months or as needed.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Dry Eye
Step 1. Use humectant eye drops
The most common advice for this problem is using humectant eye drops or artificial tears. This product lubricates dry eyes because it has a composition and effect similar to that of real tears. If you use artificial tears, opt for a preservative-free product, as those found in regular over-the-counter eye drops can build up on the lenses and trigger an allergic reaction.
- Wash your hands before instilling eye drops or touching your eyes in any way.
- Gently shake the bottle and remove the cap; avoid touching the applicator tip to avoid contaminating it.
- Tilt your head back and hold the bottle upside down near your forehead, just above your eye.
- Use the fingers of your other hand to gently pull down the lower eyelid and her lashes, while trying to keep the upper one open without touching it.
- Gently squeeze the bottle until the desired dosage of eye drops falls into your eye.
- Close your eyelids without squinting and lightly pat the outside of your eye with a clean tissue.
- Apply gentle pressure near the inner canthus while keeping the eye closed; remain in this position for 30 seconds to prolong contact between the ocular surface and the moistening eye drops.
- If you are susceptible to dryness or eye irritation, take artificial tears with you wherever you go.
Step 2. Take anti-inflammatories
Depending on the severity of the situation, your ophthalmologist may recommend anti-inflammatory agents in the form of eye drops (such as Ikervis) or systemic steroids.
Prescription anti-inflammatories treat dry eyes caused by chemicals or drugs, heat, and certain autoimmune conditions
Step 3. Avoid the causes of dryness
It is not possible to avoid some factors that trigger this disorder, for example drugs or certain diseases; however, with good planning, environmental causes can be avoided or limited.
- Wear protective goggles on windy days and try to expose yourself as little as possible to the wind;
- Not smoking;
- Stay away from dry air environments. If the heating system tends to dry the air in the house, use a humidifier;
- If you are prone to such ailment, always carry artificial tears with you.
Method 4 of 4: Try Different or Alternative Contact Lenses
Step 1. Ask your doctor for more information about lens parameters
If they fit snugly in the eyes, they should rest on a thin tear film that is renewed every time you blink. For example, lenses that do not respect the curvature of the eye alter this process causing discomfort and can potentially damage the cornea.
- If the optometrist does not check how the lenses rest on the eyes, ask him to do so.
- Your ophthalmologist should check this every time you have a visit.
- The problem of unsuitable lenses can be easily solved by changing their curvature and / or diameter.
Step 2. Try disposable daily lenses
Although soft ones are considered single use, some people find that wearing a new pair of LACs every day reduces discomfort significantly. It is an effective solution for people with allergies and who are exposed to pollen, animal hair and other atmospheric allergens on a daily basis.
- Some modern lenses are produced with "aqueous gradient" technology which improves comfort even more than traditional disposable ones.
- Be aware of the costs. If you throw away your lenses after each use, it means you have to buy 720 in a year (and maybe even more, in case you lose or damage any).
- This practice drives up costs quickly, although the exact price you pay depends on the store you go to and the brand of LAC you use. Many manufacturers are aware of this phenomenon and offer "savings packs" or discounts on large purchases; you might even save money, as you don't have to use disinfectant solutions and containers.
Step 3. Use silicone hydrogel lenses
This material is more "breathable" than traditional soft contact lenses. Silicone hydrogel is more permeable to oxygen, reducing dry eyes; it also absorbs moisture at a higher rate and more effectively than other materials, reducing the risk of dry eyes.
- Silicone hydrogel LACs improve comfort, especially in prolonged wearing situations.
- Some people who use them have reported allergic-like reactions, such as redness, itching and discomfort; however, no evidence of allergy was found during formal searches.
- If you are concerned about being sensitive to silicone, talk to your eye doctor before moving on to this type of material.
Step 4. Try contact lenses specifically for dry eyes
If you suffer from a severe form of this disorder, you can opt for this product. Some types of disposable soft ACL are known to control and manage the discomfort caused by dry eyes.
In this case, talk to your eye doctor to find out which lens is best for your problem
Step 5. Use glasses
If ACLs cause discomfort or irritation, you may have more sensitive eyes than average. This is completely normal and if you are concerned that this is the cause of your problems, you should consider reducing wearing hours or not wearing lenses at all.
Whenever you experience discomfort or your eyes are sore, take off your contact lenses and put on your glasses
Advice
- Wash your hands before touching them.
- Pour some new disinfectant solution into the container each time you remove them.
- If you experience discomfort in only one eye, carefully remove the lens and inspect it for tears.
- Check your lashes. A hair may be shorter and face inward instead of upward, consequently pricking the lens and moving it every time you blink. If you experience severe pain, it may take about a week for your lashes to fully grow before you can put on the LACs again.
- If you feel stinging after inserting them, you may be suffering from an allergic reaction. Although lens allergies themselves are extremely rare, you may still be sensitive to the type of solution you use; discuss the possibility of changing fluid with your ophthalmologist.
- Some people have delicate eyes and cannot wear contact lenses without experiencing discomfort; if you feel discomfort most of the time you are holding them, use your glasses.
- Some disinfectant solutions (generally those of old production) are not compatible with silicone hydrogel lenses, making their use rather annoying; try to change liquid to see if you find benefit.
Warnings
- If you experience eye pain after taking out the lenses, there may be an abrasion; go to the ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
- If soap has gotten into your eyes or they have been scratched, ask your doctor for advice before reinserting the ACLs.
