Contact lenses are useful inventions that have become lifesavers of any person suffering from visual problems. Though glasses are considerably great visual support, wearing them can also be challenging. There’s no denying that contact lenses are more versatile and can make a person feel like their vision is at its finest. But, like everything else in this world, they still come with their cons, and there are some risks that contact lens wearers must learn about.
#1 – The Risk of Developing Eye Infections:
Wearing contact lenses equal to putting your fingers near your eyes many times in a day. That alone can increase the chances of obtaining infections. Not only that, just wearing contact lens can lead to having keratitis, which is caused by a build-up of dust, viruses, parasites, and bacteria in your contact lenses. Keratitis is a severe condition that can cause blurred vision, pain, redness, irritation, and discharge. This can happen if you sleep while wearing your lenses, if you swim in them, if you wear expired lenses, and if you do not keep your contacts clean.
Also Read: 5 Common Symptoms Of Infections For Which You Need An Eye Test
#2 – The Risk of Corneal Scarring:
If you wear your contact lenses for too long, you are at risk for corneal inflammation and injury. This problem is painful, and it can lead to permanent vision damage. The risk of corneal scarring is higher if you wear dailies, so you should make sure to be more careful when you are wearing them.
#3 – The Risk of Reducing Eye Protection:
Humans need to blink regularly so that the eyes will be consistently protected against irritation. But, wearing contact lens can cause humans to blink less, which can reduce the sensitivity of the corneas.
#4 – The Risk of Cutting Off Oxygen Supply to the Eyes:
People should not wear their contact lenses for too long because contact lens can block oxygen to your eyes. Users should remember that contacts are not meant for wearing without taking a break, and they should never be worn while sleeping.
#5 – The Risk of Dry Eye Syndrome:
Regular contact lens usage is often linked to dry eyes. But, it can go beyond just dry eyes and lead into a severe syndrome. This is tied to reducing the number of tears produced in the eye. This problem can lead to red and itchy eyes, irritating and painful, plus the chances of corneal scarring.
Also Read: Amazing Facts And Features About Special Colored Contact Lenses
#6 – The Risk of Having Droopy Upper Eyelids:
Ptosis, also known as droopy eyelids, can be a side effect of regular usage of contact lenses. Hard lens users are much more prone to this, but this can also occur on soft lens users.
#7 – The Risk of Having Corneal Ulcers:
Infections in the eyes can lead to ulcers, which is increased in contact lens wearers. These ulcers appear as open sores on the outer layer of the cornea, and these can be really painful. This is most often caused by wearing contact lenses for extended periods.
#8 – The Risk of Attracting Parasites to the Eyes:
If contact lenses are worn for too long, even while sleeping, you can be at risk for eye parasites. One notable case happened to a student in Taiwan. She kept her contact lens in for six months, then got infected by a parasite that ate at the surface of her eyeball. Though this case is extremely rare, it is still possible.
How to Take Proper Care of Your Contact Lenses & Your Eyes:
- After usage, you should take the time to clean and disinfect your contact lenses before you put your lenses back in.
- Never use your contact lens before swimming, showering, using a hot tub, or doing anything else involving water to your eyes.
- Follow the schedule recommended by the doctor regarding wearing contact lenses.
- Before touching your contact lenses, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them diligently.
- Never use saliva to wet your contact lens before putting them in your eyes.
- Do not use tap water, saline solution, and re-wetting drops for rinsing and storing your contacts.
- Use a “rub and rinse” cleaning method regardless of the lens cleaning solution that you use. It works like this:
- Rub your contact lenses with the cleaning solution using your clean fingers.
- Rinse your contact lens with the solution.
- Leave them soaked in the cleaning solution.
- Never reuse and top off lens cleaning solutions. Always use a new amount of solution each time so that your lenses remain sterile.
- Regularly clean the case of your contact lenses. This can be done by pouring all the solution out of the case, rubbing the case using a clean finger, and rinsing it with fresh contact lens solution. Wipe the case dry using some tissue and store it upside down.
- Keep the case of your contact lenses as clean as it can be. Every 3 months, replace your contact lens case with a new one.
- Contact lenses can change their shape over time, and the form of your eye can change the same way. For making sure that your contact lens fit appropriately, maintain regular schedules with your eye doctor.
Should I Wear Contact Lenses?
If you are interested in wearing contact lenses, do not be afraid of giving them a try. They come with different types that can cater to different needs, and you can read more on TTDeye’s official blog. Though there are risks in wearing them, there will be no problems as long as you are careful. If you have more questions, you can always consult your trusted eye doctor.
