Common Contact Lens Problems and how to Fix them - video
Common Contact Lens Problems
Wearing contact lenses should be a pleasant, hassle-free experience, and the majority of contact lens wearers will have no issues, however, it’s not uncommon to experience the occasional contact lens discomfort, particularly in the early days of contact lens wear.
Our Optometrist’s Advice
Most contact lens problems are minor and can usually be resolved by removing the lenses, checking for damage, and giving your eyes a chance to recover. However, pain, persistent redness, blurred vision, or light sensitivity should never be ignored. If your symptoms don't improve after removing your lenses, seek professional advice promptly. It's always better to investigate a problem early than risk a more serious complication." - Mr J Dreyer BSc (Hons), MCOptom, DipCLP
Below, Mr Dreyer lists the most common problems that contact lens wearers experience and how to deal with them.
| Common Contact Lens Problem | First Action |
|---|---|
| Irritation on insertion | Remove the lens, inspect it for damage, clean it with fresh solution, and reinsert if safe. |
| Red eye | Remove your lenses immediately and do not reinsert them until the redness has settled. |
| Torn or chipped lens | Do not insert it. Dispose of the lens and replace it with a fresh one. |
| Lens feels stuck | Stay calm, use lubricating drops, blink gently, and try to move the lens back to the centre of the eye. |
| Slept in lenses | Remove the lenses as soon as possible and give your eyes a break for at least 24 hours. |
| Headaches | Arrange an eye examination to check whether your prescription has changed. |
| Persistent pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity | Remove your lenses and contact your optometrist or GP urgently. |
Irritation On Insertion
Your contact lenses should be comfortable and settle very quickly after insertion. If you are experiencing contact lens discomfort or irritation upon insertion, then this could be due to a number of reasons, such as irritable deposits on your lenses, a nick or chip, or the lens being inside out.
Damaged Lens: If this is the first time this has happened, remove the lens and check that it is not damaged. Look for nicks, chips, or tears; if this is the case, dispose of the lens and insert a new one.
If there is no damage, wash and dry your hands, then simply re-clean the lens with fresh solution and reinsert; in most cases, that should solve the problem.
Build-up of Dirt or Allergens: If you wear reusable lenses and your eyes have become increasingly irritated over the past few days, it could be that your lenses have a build-up of allergens, dirt, or bacteria. It is advisable to dispose of the lens and start with a new one.
If the irritation persists, remove the lens and speak with your optometrist, who may need to check your eyes and discuss other cleaning options or daily disposable lens options.
Inside Out Lens: Remove the lens and check to see if it is inside out or not. You can do this using the Bowl Test or the Taco Test
Irritation/dry, Itchy Eye On Removal
It’s not uncommon to experience some dryness or itchiness after removing your contact lenses. After a day of wearing them, your contact lens creates a microenvironment under the lens to which your eye has adjusted to, and when you remove the lens, your eye takes a little while to readjust to the natural environment.
If your eyes are more than a little itchy or irritated on removal of your lenses, it could be that you are overwearing your lenses and your eyes are telling you to take a break.
Try wearing your lenses for a little shorter each day. If the problem continues, make an appointment to see your optometrist.
Reasons For Uncomfortable Lenses
If you are experiencing discomfort whilst wearing your contact lenses, then this could be due to either the contact lens(es) or the environment.
Contact Lens
The reasons a contact lens may become uncomfortable include:
- Poor lens fit (excessive or insufficient lens movement) - A lens that is too loose, tight or moves excessively may cause irritation, unstable vision and discomfort.
- Lens being inside out - An inverted lens may not sit correctly on the eye, causing excessive movement, irritation or blurred vision.
- Damage to the lens - A torn, chipped or scratched lens can irritate the surface of the eye and should be removed and replaced immediately.
- Overwearing a lens - Wearing lenses for longer than recommended can lead to dryness, irritation and an increased risk of complications.
- Allergies - Seasonal or environmental allergies can make the eyes itchy, watery and irritated, making contact lenses less comfortable.
- A build-up of deposits - Proteins, lipids and other deposits can accumulate on reusable lenses, affecting their surface and reducing comfort.
- Sleeping in lenses - Unless specifically prescribed for overnight wear, sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of irritation and eye infection.
- Swimming in lenses - Water can introduce microorganisms to the eye and contact lens, increasing the risk of potentially serious infection.
- Drying out - A dry or unstable tear film can cause the lens surface to dry, resulting in grittiness, irritation and fluctuating vision.
In these cases, it is advisable to remove the lens, check for damage, and if no damage is found, clean the lens and reinsert it. If the discomfort continues, then remove the lens and dispose of it.
You should give your eyes a break before inserting a new, fresh lens in case there is any mild irritation that needs to settle. If the new lens is also uncomfortable, remove the lens and speak to your optometrist. If itchiness or burning is accompanied by any mucous discharge, this could indicate you have an eye infection; remove the lens and seek advice from your optometrist or general practitioner.
Environment
The environmental reasons that could cause a contact lens to become uncomfortable include:
- Low humidity - Dry indoor air can cause tears to evaporate more quickly, leaving contact lenses feeling dry and uncomfortable.
- Air conditioning or heating - Direct airflow towards the face can increase tear evaporation and cause lenses to dry out more quickly.
- A foreign body in the eye - Dust, an eyelash or other small particle trapped beneath a lens can cause sudden irritation, watering and discomfort.
- Dry eyes - An insufficient or unstable tear film can prevent the lens from remaining properly lubricated throughout the day.
- Medications - Some medicines, including certain antihistamines, antidepressants and decongestants, can contribute to dry eyes and make contact lens wear less comfortable.
- Prolonged screen use - We blink less frequently and sometimes less completely when concentrating on a screen, which can cause the tear film and contact lenses to dry out.
- Smoke, dust and airborne pollutants - Irritants in the environment can disturb the tear film and become trapped on or beneath a contact lens.
- Windy conditions - Wind increases tear evaporation and can also blow dust and debris into the eyes.
- Illness or hormonal changes - Changes within the body can sometimes affect tear production and make previously comfortable lenses feel different.
In these cases, if you can change the environment, that's great; if not, remove the lens. Give your eyes a break and speak to your optometrist
Ripped Or Chipped Contact Lens
If you notice your lens is chipped or ripped, do not insert it, dispose of it immediately - a ripped or chipped lens cannot be fixed and can cause scratches, irritation and damage to your eye.
If you think a lens has become torn while in your eye, remove the lens and dispose of it.
Red Eyes
Your eyes should not be red, and it is not normal for contact lenses to cause red eyes.
If you are a contact lens wearer and experience red eye(s), then this could be due to overwear, the lens or lenses becoming contaminated with dirt or bacteria, etc. Remove the lens and dispose of it. Do not insert another lens, but wait a day or two. If the redness does not disappear or if you are experiencing high levels of pain, seek out medical attention either from your optometrist or your general practitioner.
Dry Gritty Eyes and Contact Lens Irritation
Contact lenses sit within the tear film that keeps the surface of your eyes moist and comfortable. If your tear film is insufficient or unstable, lenses can become less comfortable, causing dryness, grittiness, burning, redness or fluctuating vision. Symptoms often become more noticeable towards the end of the day or during prolonged screen use, when we tend to blink less frequently.If your lenses feel dry or uncomfortable, try:
- Taking regular breaks from your contact lenses and wearing glasses when needed.
- Following the 20-20-20 rule during prolonged screen use and remembering to blink fully.
- Using contact-lens-compatible lubricating or rewetting drops if recommended by your optometrist or pharmacist.
- Avoiding direct airflow from fans, air conditioning and heating.
- Staying within the recommended daily wearing time and replacement schedule.
- Keeping reusable lenses and their case properly cleaned and disinfected.
Styes
Styes are small red bumps near the edge of your eyelid. Some people suffer from styes more than others, this can be due to other health issues, such as blepharitis or rosacea. If this is the case, then it is important to treat the underlying cause, but whatever the cause, if you have a stye, remove your lenses and do not wear them until the infection has healed.
Headaches
If you think your contact lenses are giving you headaches, ask yourself- How long has it been since your eyesight was checked?
- Is my prescription out of date?
Lost a Contact Lens in Your Eye
Don't panic; it doesn’t matter what horror stories you have heard; due to the anatomy of the eye, it is physically impossible for contact lenses to get stuck behind your eyes. However, they can get stuck or trapped under your eyelid.
It’s pretty easy to remove a “trapped or stuck” contact lens. You may find the use of rewetting drops helpful; put a few rewetting eye drops into the affected eye and then close the eye for a few seconds. You can massage the upper or lower eyelid using your fingertips with your eye closed to help the contact lens move to the centre of the eye.
Once you feel the lens is near the centre of your eye, you should be able to easily take it out. Clean the lens thoroughly in solution and check it for any damage. If it is not damaged, you can reinsert it; if it is damaged, dispose of the lens and reinsert a new one.
If you are concerned, check out our in-depth guide to Can a contact lens get stuck in my eye.
A Dropped Lens
If you drop a contact lens, find the lens as fast as possible; the longer the lens is out of solution and out of your eye, the greater the risk the lens will dry out and become totally irretrievable.
If it is a daily disposable lens, then there may be enough solution left in your blister to give the lens a good clean before insertion; if not, your only option is to dispose of the lens and start with a new one.
If you drop a monthly or extended wear lens, then you should have enough solution to give the lens a good clean before use.
If you can't find the lens quickly and it has started to dry out and develop “ a crinkled edge,” then your only option is to throw it out. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen often.
Slept With Your Lenses In
I’m sure you’ve been told many times not to sleep in your contact lenses, but let's face it, it happens.
The first thing is don’t panic; as soon as you realise you have slept with your lenses in,- unless it's an extended wear lens, - remove the lens and give your eyes a break, don’t wear lenses for at least 24 hours to give your eyes a chance to breathe and rehydrate.
After sleeping in your lenses you may experience red, swollen, sore eyes, and even blurred vision. This is not uncommon and is called “overwear syndrome” and is due to a lack of oxygen reaching your cornea. This normally resolves on its own; however, if any of these symptoms persist, and especially if you are still experiencing pain after 4-6 hours, you should contact your optometrist and explain your symptoms and how long you slept with your lenses in.
When to Remove Your Lenses and Seek Optometrists Advice
Most minor contact lens problems improve once the lenses are removed and your eyes are given a rest. However, some symptoms should never be ignored.
Remove your contact lenses and seek prompt advice from an optometrist or other eye care professional if you experience:
- Eye pain - particularly pain that is severe, increasing, or continues after removing your lenses.
- Persistent or increasing redness - especially when one eye is significantly redder than the other.
- Blurred or reduced vision - any unexplained change in your vision should be investigated.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) - particularly when accompanied by pain or redness.
- Unusual discharge - especially thick, sticky or pus-like discharge.
- Excessive watering - particularly if it occurs suddenly with pain, redness or light sensitivity.
- A white or grey spot on the cornea - a visible spot on the clear front surface of the eye requires urgent assessment.
Never continue wearing a contact lens if your eye becomes painful, very red or your vision changes. Remove the lens and don't put it back in simply because the symptoms begin to improve.
If symptoms are severe, your vision deteriorates suddenly, or you have significant eye pain, seek urgent medical or eye care advice.
Conclusion
Most common contact lens problems are not serious and can be dealt with at home, however, there are some problems that, if they are persistent, should definitely be checked out with your optometrist or your general practitioner.
