Contact Lens Discomfort

For some, contact lens discomfort leads to taking them out, throwing them away, and returning to eyeglasses for good. Some people, however, vastly prefer how they look in contact lenses, the lightweight feel compared to frames, or they like to wear lenses for distance and put on reading glasses when necessary rather than juggling two pairs of frames. If you fall into the category that prefers contacts, rest assured that there are ways to conquer discomfort associated with wearing contact lenses.

Determine the cause for your discomfort

Though you could have an underlying problem that causes discomfort when you wear contact lenses, most contact lens irritation can be easily fixed. If you've tried rewetting drops that you can get at your local drugstore to no avail, go in for an eye exam to get to the root of the problem and to choose the best plan of action.

Potential causes lens discomfort include:

• Dry eyes: There are several causes for dry eyes. Consider your diet, your environment, and how much time you spend on the computer or playing video games. All of these can contribute to dryness.
• The wrong contacts for your eyes: Not all contacts work for everyone, which is why eye care professionals have you go through a trial period when they fit you for a new type of lens. Sometimes the discomfort is simply a result of the wrong lens formulation or material for your eyes.
• Build-up: If you're following your eye care provider's instructions for caring for your lenses accurately, you could just need a different contact lens cleaning solution or an enzyme treatment.
• Environment: If your environment is dusty or dry, there's a good chance that is contributing to your eye dryness. Try drops or wearing your contact lenses less often in that environment.
• Lens care: Be sure you're following your eye doctor's instructions on handling your contact lenses completely. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling them, rub the lenses in the solution to get them clean, and soak overnight.
• Work and hobbies: If you spend a lot of time on the computer or in front of the television, you may not be blinking as frequently as you would otherwise, which in turn causes dry eyes.

The best solution for you depends on what is causing your problem. In some cases, it is as simple as purchasing eye drops. For others, it may require a doctor.

You can purchase eye drops over the counter at your local drugstore to help combat eye dryness. If the problem persists, you will need to see your eye care professional. This is often the first stop for those who suffer from dry eyes and related lens discomfort, however. Be sure to carefully read the labels to determine whether a specific eye drop is meant for lens wearers, and whether you need to remove your lenses before using the drops. While drops like Systane are amazing for lubricating the eyes, in many cases you will get the best results by taking your lenses out first. Otherwise you run the risk of clouding the lenses.

Smoking or drinking a lot of coffee and/or alcohol can dry your eyes out. By cutting back (or cutting these things out of your day completely) and making sure you stay hydrated with plenty of water, fruits, and vegetables, you can make your lenses more comfortable.

This is the use of a special type of contact lens overnight. What it does is shape your cornea as you sleep so that you can see well the next day without the use of contact lenses. This is great for those whose dusty and dry environments contribute to their lens discomfort. This is also a great alternative for those who are afraid of the permanence (or just the procedure!) of LASIK.

Sometimes contact lens discomfort has to do with the lenses themselves. They may not be compatible with your eyes. That's no big deal; make sure you bring your problem up with your doctor. For example, if you have dry eyes, you may need a lens designed for those with dry eyes in mind. Bringing up the problem does not mean they will instruct you to never wear contacts again, so don't be too afraid to mention it.

Another time you may need to consider a different type of lens is if you're an allergy sufferer. It could be difficult to clean all of the allergens from the lenses on a regular basis, and when you put them back onto your eyes, the allergens begin the irritation again. You could be better served by daily disposable lenses.

It is always best to speak with your eye care professional about contact lens discomfort to get to the root of the problem. In many cases, you may be pleasantly surprised by how easy treatment can be.

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