If you are experiencing symptoms of conjunctivitis, often called “pink eye,” it is not advisable to wear contact lenses. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. This common eye condition can cause redness, itching, a gritty sensation, and discharge. Avoiding contact lens use during this time protects your eye health.
Why You Should Not Wear Contacts
Wearing contact lenses during a conjunctivitis infection can worsen your condition and prolong healing. Lenses act as a barrier, trapping bacteria, viruses, or allergens against the eye’s surface, creating a warm, moist environment for pathogen growth. This intensifies inflammation and irritation, making your eyes more uncomfortable and delaying recovery. The constant interaction between the lens and the inflamed conjunctiva further irritates the eye, worsening symptoms like pain and grittiness.
Continuing to wear lenses carries a risk of complications, including corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the cornea that can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated. Lenses and their cases can become contaminated with infectious agents, leading to reinfection even after initial symptoms subside. This contamination creates a cycle of infection, making it difficult for the eye to heal. Lenses can also impede the effectiveness of prescribed eye drops by creating a physical barrier between the medication and the eye’s surface.
What You Should Do
If you suspect conjunctivitis while wearing contact lenses, the first step is to remove them. It is recommended to discard any disposable lenses worn when symptoms appeared, along with their cases. For reusable lenses, consult an eye care professional; they may advise specific disinfection protocols or recommend discarding them. Switching to glasses during this period is a safer alternative to prevent further irritation and promote healing.
Seeking advice from an eye care professional is important for proper diagnosis and treatment. Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergens, and treatment varies depending on the underlying cause. Bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eye drops, while viral conjunctivitis often resolves on its own, and allergic conjunctivitis can be managed with antihistamines. Maintaining strict hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, avoiding touching your eyes, and not sharing towels or pillowcases, is important to prevent spreading the infection.
When You Can Wear Contacts Again
You should only resume contact lens wear once all conjunctivitis symptoms have cleared. This means your eyes should no longer be red, itchy, or producing discharge. Even after symptoms disappear, it is important to get clearance from an eye care professional before reintroducing contact lenses. If treated with antibiotics, some professionals suggest waiting at least 24 hours after discontinuing medication before wearing lenses again.
When given the go-ahead, always start with a new pair of contact lenses and a new lens case. Reusing old lenses or cases that contacted your eyes during the infection carries a risk of reinfection. To prevent future occurrences, adhere to proper contact lens hygiene, including washing hands before handling lenses, using fresh cleaning solutions daily, and following the recommended replacement schedule for your lenses and case. Avoid sleeping in contact lenses, as this increases the risk of eye infections.