Top 6 Harmful Side Effects Of Contact Lenses
In addition to being a pain to wear, glasses don’t work for everyone. Many people prefer contacts to glasses, and for good reason. However, contacts are not a tested method of correcting vision.
There are still some serious side effects and complications that may result from wearing them, even though they have been around for years and come in a variety of varieties. Here are a few of the most serious ones!
Red Eye
The condition can occur for a variety of reasons. It typically manifests as swelling and irritation that causes the eyes to appear red. Contact lenses can cause irritation and make the eyes red as well, especially if they are left in too long or worn incorrectly.
Often times, it is difficult to tell whether your eyes are adjusting to the new contacts or if they do not fit correctly. If your eyes become irritated when you wear your contacts, it is important to consult your eye care professional.
Dry Eye
In the event that your eyes get too dry, you should take a break from wearing contacts so that the irritation can be reduced. Contacts tend to dry out your eyes, which can cause a number of negative symptoms, including itching, irritation, and a feeling of grit in the eye.
Artificial tears and eye drops can be used to treat chronic dry eye. However, it is not always easy to keep enough contact solution available.
Infection
In the event that you handle your contacts improperly, debris and bacteria can easily get stuck in your eyes. These situations are far more likely to result in an infection. Bacteria can get into your eyes through many means, but dirty hands pose the greatest risk.
When changing your contacts, make sure your contacts, case, and any accessories are clean. This also means that you should not change your contacts in the middle of the day.
Corneal Vascularization
A condition known as cornea vascularization occurs when your eyes’ blood vessels swell and expand into your cornea, causing it to become invisible until it becomes problematic. When you notice it, it may be too late to treat besides ceasing the use of contact lenses.
Eye Ulcers
You can develop ulcers on the surface of your eye if the infection is left untreated for a prolonged period of time.
You cannot wear contacts until the infection and swelling are treated. They are not only painful, but they can also make it difficult to see, too. The only way to treat them is to cease wearing contacts and to treat the infection.
Conjunctivitis
The most common type of conjunctivitis is pink eye, which is characterized by an excessive production of mucus and swelling. Many patients don’t recognize the condition until their symptoms have become more severe.
If you suffer from pink eye, it is imperative that you cease using your contact lenses immediately. Contact lenses cannot be worn again until the patient has fully recovered.
