Contact lenses offer a convenient way to correct vision, making them a common choice for people engaging in sports and intense physical activities. These small medical devices sit directly on the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye. While they provide clear sight, wearing them during high-impact activities, such as combat sports, introduces unique risks that can compromise eye health.
Immediate Risks to Eye Health From Impact
A sudden, blunt force trauma to the eye while wearing a contact lens significantly increases the potential for serious injury. The eye’s natural defenses, like the blink reflex and the protective bone structure of the orbit, are often insufficient against a direct hit. The contact lens itself can become a source of secondary injury against the delicate surface of the eye.
One of the most common complications is a corneal abrasion, a scratch on the cornea’s outermost layer (the epithelium). A direct impact can cause the lens to scrape across the cornea before it shifts or dislodges. This leads to immediate, intense pain and light sensitivity, and the abrasion creates an open pathway for micro-organisms to enter the eye.
Trauma can also increase the risk of a severe infection known as microbial keratitis. The force of an impact can introduce contaminants from the environment or the lens directly beneath the lens surface. Once trapped between the lens and the abraded cornea, these contaminants can rapidly lead to a serious infection, potentially causing vision impairment or permanent scarring.
Dislodgement and Obstruction
The foreign body sensation of a dislodged or folded lens is an immediate concern. This obstructs vision and causes discomfort, which can interfere with the activity or draw the person’s hands to their eyes.
How Different Lens Types React to Trauma
The material of a contact lens dictates how it will behave when subjected to blunt force or external trauma. Most people wear soft contact lenses, which are made from flexible, water-containing polymer materials. These lenses adhere closely to the eye’s surface, meaning they are less likely to be completely knocked out upon impact.
Soft Lenses
The pliable nature of soft lenses means they can easily fold, tear, or crumple against the eye under a direct blow. They are also prone to absorbing contaminants, which can be driven into the eye’s surface layers during a traumatic event. A torn or folded soft lens will cause significant irritation and abrasion until it is removed.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses are made from a firmer, more durable plastic material. Due to their rigidity, RGP lenses are much more likely to be dislodged completely from the eye upon impact, often popping out. While this prevents the lens from abrading the cornea, it leaves the eye suddenly without vision correction and the lens is usually lost. In high-force incidents, the brittle nature of an RGP lens could potentially cause it to break, resulting in sharp edges that may pose a risk of laceration to the eye tissue.
Practical Alternatives for High-Impact Activities
The safest approach for any high-impact activity is to remove contact lenses entirely before participation. If vision correction is necessary, several alternatives minimize risk:
- Prescription sports goggles or specialized protective eyewear. These are typically constructed with polycarbonate lenses, a material highly resistant to shattering that absorbs significant impact force.
- Protective shields worn over contact lenses, providing a physical barrier against direct blows and flying debris. Ensure the eyewear is rated for the specific sport, as general safety glasses may not offer adequate protection.
- Permanent vision correction procedures, such as laser corrective surgery. This eliminates the need for any lenses, minimizing the risk of a lens-related injury during trauma.
Emergency Steps After an Eye Injury
If the eye sustains trauma while a contact lens is being worn, immediate and careful assessment is necessary. The first step is to check if the contact lens is still present and whether it appears damaged, folded, or shifted. If the lens is still on the eye and the injury is minor, the lens should be removed as soon as possible to prevent it from trapping contaminants or exacerbating corneal damage.
For a blow to the eye, a clean, cold compress should be applied gently to the area to help reduce swelling and pain, ensuring no direct pressure is placed on the eyeball itself. The eye should not be rubbed or rinsed with tap water, as this can introduce more bacteria.
Any persistent pain, significant vision change, persistent redness, or foreign body sensation that does not resolve immediately requires urgent medical attention. A professional must examine the eye promptly to check for internal damage, treat any abrasions, and prescribe antibiotics if an infection is suspected.