Cataracts are a common eye condition where the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This clouding can make vision appear as if looking through a foggy window, leading to blurry or hazy sight. Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses designed to sit directly on the eye’s surface. They are primarily used to correct refractive errors, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Challenges of Wearing Contacts with Cataracts
Wearing contact lenses becomes challenging and impractical as cataracts progress. The clouding of the eye’s natural lens directly interferes with how light passes through to the retina. This means contact lenses cannot effectively correct vision obscured by a cataract. Even with an updated prescription, the underlying cloudiness prevents clear vision, making prescriptions unstable and frequently changing.
Cataracts can also increase light sensitivity and glare, making contact lens wear uncomfortable. The scattered light from the clouded lens creates a washed-out or overly bright image, particularly from headlights at night or bright sunlight. Contact lenses cannot mitigate these symptoms and may even exacerbate discomfort in bright conditions.
Dry eye can also occur alongside cataracts; both conditions share common risk factors like aging. Dry eyes can make contact lens wear less tolerable, causing discomfort, irritation, or a gritty sensation. Contact lens wear carries a risk of eye infections, which could be heightened if proper hygiene is difficult.
Vision Correction Options Before Cataract Surgery
When contact lenses are no longer effective due to cataract progression, temporary solutions can help manage vision before surgery. Prescription eyeglasses often provide some improvement in visual acuity. Regular eye exams allow optometrists to update eyeglass prescriptions, which can compensate for vision changes caused by early-stage cataracts.
However, eyeglasses cannot fully overcome the clouding of the lens, and eventually stronger glasses will no longer significantly improve vision. Beyond corrective lenses, lifestyle adjustments can help individuals cope with diminishing vision. Using brighter lighting for reading and other close-up tasks can be beneficial. Wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats can also reduce discomfort from glare and protect the eyes from further UV damage. These measures are interim steps, as cataract surgery remains the definitive treatment to restore clear vision.
Wearing Contacts After Cataract Surgery
After cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), which significantly improves vision. This procedure often reduces or eliminates the need for glasses or contacts for distance vision. Most IOLs are monofocal, set for a single distance, typically far vision.
Despite the vision correction provided by IOLs, some individuals may still have residual refractive errors, such as astigmatism, or may desire correction for near vision. In these cases, contact lenses can be a viable option. If a monofocal IOL corrects distance vision, multifocal contact lenses can provide near and intermediate vision. Monovision contact lenses, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near, are another option for those who prefer not to wear reading glasses.
Contact lenses can also correct astigmatism not fully addressed by the IOL. Patients typically need to wait 4 to 6 weeks for their eyes to heal after surgery before resuming contact lens wear. A new contact lens fitting is often necessary for optimal comfort and vision correction following the procedure.