Contact lenses offer a convenient alternative to glasses, providing clear vision without frames. While it is common to experience an initial awareness or mild, temporary discomfort when first wearing contact lenses, true pain is not a normal sensation and indicates an underlying issue. Properly fitted and well-maintained contact lenses should feel comfortable in your eyes.
Understanding Initial Sensations
When you first begin wearing contact lenses, it is normal to experience a mild sensation, often described as a foreign body sensation or slight irritation. Your eyes are adjusting to the lens, and this initial awareness should be temporary, typically subsiding within a few hours or days of consistent wear. Factors like the lens type, fit, and how well it matches your eye’s curvature can influence this initial experience.
Common Causes of Discomfort or Pain
Contact lenses can cause discomfort or pain for several reasons, often indicating a problem that needs attention. An improper fit or incorrect prescription can lead to constant awareness or irritation because the lens may be too tight or too loose on the eye. Dirt, debris, or foreign particles trapped underneath the lens can scratch the corneal surface, causing pain.
Dry eyes, due to insufficient tear production or poor tear quality, can also result in discomfort as the lens dehydrates and adheres to the eye. Allergic reactions or sensitivities to the lens material or solution can trigger redness, itching, and irritation. Over-wearing lenses beyond the recommended daily duration restricts oxygen flow to the cornea, leading to discomfort and potentially more serious complications.
Damaged, torn, or expired lenses can have rough edges or degraded material, causing direct irritation to the eye. Incorrect insertion or removal techniques can also lead to scrapes or abrasions on the eye’s surface. Eye infections or inflammation, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or keratitis (corneal inflammation), can result from poor hygiene or prolonged lens wear.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you experience persistent pain, redness that does not improve, blurred vision that doesn’t clear, excessive tearing, or any discharge from your eye while wearing contact lenses, you should remove them immediately. These symptoms are not normal and may indicate a serious eye condition or infection.
Contact an eye care professional without delay if these symptoms occur. Ignoring signs of discomfort or pain can lead to more severe complications, potentially affecting your long-term eye health and vision. Your eye doctor can determine the cause of the discomfort and provide appropriate treatment or adjustments to your lens regimen.