“Why are my eyes sore after contacts?”
Every night when I take my contacts out, my eyes are sore and red. Should I try different contacts? Why is this happening?
14 Answers
OphthalmologistContactLenses
inflammation under your eyelid can develop from routine contact lens wear.
you can try changing contact brands or material but sometimes a persons eyes can develop intolerance to contacts
- a popular alternative to contacts is laser vision correction
- recommend evaluation by an eye professional to determine best options
you can try changing contact brands or material but sometimes a persons eyes can develop intolerance to contacts
- a popular alternative to contacts is laser vision correction
- recommend evaluation by an eye professional to determine best options
you may need to be refit. When the Ophthalmologist evaluates the cornea also inquire about your tear structure and what is called tear osmolarity. Normal is 280 milli osmols or less. Ask if you have any new vessels at the edge of your cornea (neovascularization.)
Lots of reasons for this symptom. May have to do with CL diameter, curvature or cleanliness. It may also be a result of a dry eye condition. Many persons do not take their soft contact lenses CLs out for many days. If that is you, start taking them out during hours of sleep. Lastly, use warm compresses on your eyes. leave on for 30 seconds then refresh compress in a bowl of warm water, squeeze then Back on the eyes for another 30 seconds. Continue for five minutes or ten applications.
I have found this makes most patients far more comfortable. But, of the discomfort remains, see your CL specialist or ophthalmologists.
Roger Ohanesian MD
I have found this makes most patients far more comfortable. But, of the discomfort remains, see your CL specialist or ophthalmologists.
Roger Ohanesian MD
Contact lenses deprived the eyes of oxygen, the longer you wear the worst the eye feels. Shorten wear times.
Allergy to contact lens plastics , or soaking or cleaning solutions are possible.
Dry eyes from contact lenses soaking up your natural tears is inevitable. Hence lubricating eye drops are essential aids to help you tolerate contact lenses.
Finally surgical options are possible; below 40 years old, lasik
Over 40 years old, clear lens surgery
Allergy to contact lens plastics , or soaking or cleaning solutions are possible.
Dry eyes from contact lenses soaking up your natural tears is inevitable. Hence lubricating eye drops are essential aids to help you tolerate contact lenses.
Finally surgical options are possible; below 40 years old, lasik
Over 40 years old, clear lens surgery
Very probable that your contact lens fits poorly, you have subtle contact lens induced inflammation or allergy, dry eye or some eyelid issues that should be addressed. Careful eye exam and treatment of any of these issues, along with assessment of contact lens fit will help. Also, ask about the "One Day" disposable contacts...safest lenses on the market...we rarely see any issues in patients using these.
In my experience, the two most common causes of pain after cl wear are:
1. Poorly fitting lenses, usually too 'Tight'
2 Allergy to contact lens storage solution - usually burns on insertion of lenses also
HK
1. Poorly fitting lenses, usually too 'Tight'
2 Allergy to contact lens storage solution - usually burns on insertion of lenses also
HK
Great question. This comes up all the time in our clinic. Remember, contact lenses are foreign bodies sitting on your eyes – you were not born with them! When your optometrist or ophthalmologist fits you for contacts, he or she is taking into consideration the shape of your cornea, and any scarring or other ocular surface diseases such as pterygia, pingueculas, blepharitis, dry eye disease or allergies. Each contact lens brand comes in several sizes and the prescription is determined by measurements obtained in the clinic and the way the lens moves on your eye when the doctor examines you.
The first consideration involves your contact lens hygiene. Are you wearing dailies, biweeklies, or monthly lenses? Are you replacing them as you were instructed? Despite what my patients tell me, I know the 2 weekers are staying on eyes for over a month at times. The monthlies tend to go 2 months, etc. And this has been substantiated by the medical literature, so it’s not just my intuition. Everyday, these lenses accumulate microscopic debris and cause microtrauma to your ocular surface.
If you are young and healthy, the eye can repair itself quickly. As you get older or as you stress your eyes with overwear (wearing more than 14 hours per day), sleeping in your lenses, etc., eventually you become less tolerant. When the immune system (ocular surface) breaks down, it then puts you at risk for corneal ulcers which can then result in severe loss of vision. Contact lens solutions are not created equal either. Sometimes, the solutions are the culprit and need to be changed. For all of these reasons, I recommend daily wear contact lenses for all of my patients. You don’t have to worry about cleaning them, you don’t need solutions to store them, and you can’t overwear them because they get less comfortable after 24 hours or so. It eliminates many of the day-to-day problems I see with longer-wear lenses. I also recommend contact lens holidays: take the weekend or even a 7 day period of time without any wearing of your contacts. This allows your eye to restore itself and tolerate contacts better when you restart use.
Getting examined by an optometrist of ophthalmologist is your best bet. Only with an eye exam can we determine whether or not your problem is being caused by an underlying disease (dry eye, allergies, giant papillary conjunctivitis, etc.) versus a poor lens fit.
-Lee Katzman MD
The first consideration involves your contact lens hygiene. Are you wearing dailies, biweeklies, or monthly lenses? Are you replacing them as you were instructed? Despite what my patients tell me, I know the 2 weekers are staying on eyes for over a month at times. The monthlies tend to go 2 months, etc. And this has been substantiated by the medical literature, so it’s not just my intuition. Everyday, these lenses accumulate microscopic debris and cause microtrauma to your ocular surface.
If you are young and healthy, the eye can repair itself quickly. As you get older or as you stress your eyes with overwear (wearing more than 14 hours per day), sleeping in your lenses, etc., eventually you become less tolerant. When the immune system (ocular surface) breaks down, it then puts you at risk for corneal ulcers which can then result in severe loss of vision. Contact lens solutions are not created equal either. Sometimes, the solutions are the culprit and need to be changed. For all of these reasons, I recommend daily wear contact lenses for all of my patients. You don’t have to worry about cleaning them, you don’t need solutions to store them, and you can’t overwear them because they get less comfortable after 24 hours or so. It eliminates many of the day-to-day problems I see with longer-wear lenses. I also recommend contact lens holidays: take the weekend or even a 7 day period of time without any wearing of your contacts. This allows your eye to restore itself and tolerate contacts better when you restart use.
Getting examined by an optometrist of ophthalmologist is your best bet. Only with an eye exam can we determine whether or not your problem is being caused by an underlying disease (dry eye, allergies, giant papillary conjunctivitis, etc.) versus a poor lens fit.
-Lee Katzman MD
You could be overwearing the contacts and your eyes are becoming oxygen deprived. It could also be allergies or more likely, dryness. Try and lubricate your eyes throughout the day and take the contacts out earlier.
The two most common problems are a fit issue (meaning the lens curvature may be too steep), which gives a suction cup/squeezing like effect or you may be sensitive to the material the contact is made of. Should have your fit checked and eyes checked. A poorly fitting contact lens leads to increased contact lens complications.
Depends on the type of contact lens you are using, the amount of time and the correct hygiene and usage of the lens. Use the contact lenses recommended by an eye specialist.
Hi,
Often our eyes can become dry during the day as we wear contact lenses and the eyes can feel red and sore. Make sure you use contact lens compatible lubricants during the day. Often if the contact lens sticks onto the surface of the eye the eye layer beneath the contact lens (corneal surface) can become deficient of oxygen and this top layer can break down. This can cause a red sore eye by the end of the day. Making sure the eye is lubricated ensures there is a layer of fluid between the contact lens and the eye where oxygen exchange can occur.
It is also important to ensure good contact lens hygiene. Make sure you dont use your contact lenses beyond the period they are designed for and also that you make sure you change your contact lens case regularly. It is also important to ensure you use an optician recommended solution.
If you're doing all the above then it is a good idea to try a new contact lens. Also throw away your lens case and use a new one and perhaps try a new contact lens storage solution as well.
Often our eyes can become dry during the day as we wear contact lenses and the eyes can feel red and sore. Make sure you use contact lens compatible lubricants during the day. Often if the contact lens sticks onto the surface of the eye the eye layer beneath the contact lens (corneal surface) can become deficient of oxygen and this top layer can break down. This can cause a red sore eye by the end of the day. Making sure the eye is lubricated ensures there is a layer of fluid between the contact lens and the eye where oxygen exchange can occur.
It is also important to ensure good contact lens hygiene. Make sure you dont use your contact lenses beyond the period they are designed for and also that you make sure you change your contact lens case regularly. It is also important to ensure you use an optician recommended solution.
If you're doing all the above then it is a good idea to try a new contact lens. Also throw away your lens case and use a new one and perhaps try a new contact lens storage solution as well.
Most commonly it is the result of either over wearing of the contact lenses, an incorrect fit, or dry eyes. See your eye doctor and they can help you determine which if these is the issue and help you correct it.
This can be a range of different dry eye related reasons or the fit of the contact lens is not appropriate for your eye. You should get assessed by an eye doctor as soon as you can, and stay out of contact lenses for now.
It is possible the contact lens is too tight, thus depriving the cornea of proper nutrients via the tear film. This can result in corneal edema and soreness at the end of the day. You need to have the fit of the contact lens checked and possibly change to a more permeable contact lens.
