Pink Eyes: How do I Know if Contact Lenses Causing it or the Lens Solution?

Pink eyes also known as conjunctivitis is a common eye infection with distinctive inflammation of eye lids and or eyes/cornea. Conjunctivitis can be minor or severe – it always is however contagious to provoke the infectious outbreak. Both contact lenses and or the solution to soak/disinfect your contact lenses may spread pink eye disease. Patient is asked to cease wearing contact lenses during the illness but it does not always help. To prevent future viral attacks, please narrow down your symptoms & judge what you need to change – your contact lenses or contact lens solution?

When Solution for Soaking Contact Lenses should be replaced with a Better Brand

There are many types of contact lens solutions available. Some only soak your lenses, some rinse, some re-wet too, and some help production of quality tears whereas some do all of these. Contact lens solutions, no matter what their specialty is, contain preservatives. These preservatives may sometimes trigger allergic response. Therefore, always use a multi-purpose contact lens solution so that there are less chances of drug interaction. In case you opt to choose a set of solutions, you are more likely to get affected by inflammation due to your eyes coming into contact with several of the chemicals that are not always in harmony with each other.

Symptoms if Contact Lens Solution is Causing Discomfort & Pink Eyes

An expired or incompatible contact lens solution is injurious for eyes. Sometimes contact lens solution can lose its efficacy even before meeting the expiry date. This happens due to the improper usage and or mishandling such as leaving your solution bottle opened. (It causes evaporation of disinfectant). If you notice following symptoms, change your contact lens solution. Get a pharmaceutical contact lens solution preferably.

1. Increased sensitivity to light
2. Delayed hypersensitivity: Itching sensation, discharge or stinging even when wearing same pair of contact lenses/brand you had been wearing previously
3. Weepy & warm painful eyes
4. Discomfort even after removing lenses

Sometimes your eyes develop allergy against the same solution you have been using since ages. This happens when manufacturers alter the formula. Always keep a check when a label of your contact lens solution reads “New & Improved”. Some types of lens materials and solutions are not the optimal combinations, so trouble may arise due to incompetency.

Last but not the least an expired contact lens case that is most ignored is also a hidden cause. Case past 3 months of usage needs immediate replacement as the accumulation of bio-film may trigger allergenic response.

3 Types of Contact Lens Related Redness: What does it indicate?

It is not an easy task for a manufacturer to attain ISO and other medical certifications. Contact lenses that boast quality tags are tested for the health & safety before being penetrated into the market for mass-consumption. Yet, if you observe painful experiences/discomfort with your lenses or develop eye sores; the probable factor is either negligence towards meticulous contact lens cleaning or frequently skipped eye exams.

1. Redness after Wearing Contact Lenses

If you have been wearing contact lenses for years without any notable discomforts then the redness is most probably due to your eye sight getting weaker. If the redness is accompanied by stress, strain, watery eyes or over-loaded eye lids; plan an immediate meet-up with your eye care professional. Sometimes redness also occurs due to a change in the brand of contact lenses. If you have dry eyes syndrome, you should always take a strict note of the water percentage in your soft contacts. Try using eye drops that are compatible to be used with circle lenses.

Also Read: Why do circle lenses turn my eyes dry?

2. Redness or Eye Sores underneath the Eyelids

This happens because of an ill-fitted contact lens. People with astigmatism or certain other diseases need to have their eyes tested because of their special contact lens needs. A loose contact lens that keeps rotating/sliding/dislodging may cause abrasion over the surface of the cornea. On the other hand circle lenses with too tight base curve compromise the oxygen need that may result in stuck contact lens or eye sores if you continue to wear them every day despite noticing the discomfort.

3. Redness after Removing Contact Lenses

If redness is observed after removing circle lenses, the culprit behind is, your incompatible or expired contact lens solution. Sometimes even the best pharmacy-made solution loses its efficacy before even meeting the expiry date because of the misuse. The preservatives and the enzymes that kill the bacteria and are involved in the breakdown of lipids and proteins from the surface of lenses, evaporate when you leave the bottle opened. If you notice these symptoms upon removing contact lenses, then take no second chances- better switch to a multi-purpose disinfectant immediately.

Also Read: All about soft lenses solutions & side effects

Colored circle lenses that are ISO certified and KFDA approved, minimize the risk of CLIDs. Despite being medically safe for consumption by patients, circle lenses need careful and delicate handling. If the redness persists, accompanied by painful stinging; remove the lenses instantly. This happens due to protein build-up or bacteria accumulation that might have transmitted through dirty/un-cleaned contact lens case. Always replace your cases every 3 months! Only wear authentic genuine Korean circle lenses & schedule timely replacement. You can get a new pair of lenses but not a new pair of eyes!

Contact Lenses for Occasional Wear: How often should I Change Contact Lens Storage Solution?

Contact lens solution in which you store your lenses does not only keep your lenses soaked in but also disinfect them. Contact lens storage solution should hence be changed every time you wear your lenses and must not be reused. However, there might be several other pairs of circle contacts that you wear occasionally for instance just in cosplay conventions or formal events. What is the ruling on changing the storage solution of such occasionally used contact lenses? Read below

Contact lenses should only be stored in multi-purpose solution because it replaces other ordinary saline and disinfecting solutions. It also reduces the need of contact lens rinsing as a multi-purpose storage solution is strong enough to kill the bacteria whilst you store contacts over-night. Circle lenses with higher water content tend to get dry more quickly than those with low water-content. This is why it is crucial to keep a check on your spare pairs of contacts. These lenses fulfil their hydration needs from the solution they are soaked in. If left unchecked for a long time; the lenses may turn dry and crimp which makes them unsafe to wear again. This is why; always replace the solution at least once in a week or the morning you are going to wear them.

How often should I Replace Contact Lens Case?

The ruling about replacing the case remains the same because of the bio-film they develop. Bio-film is a slimy layer that accumulates on contact lens cases. Contact lens cases are reservoirs of bacteria and are one of the main major transmitters of diseases. To prevent yourself from CLIDs; replace cases once in every 3 months and make a habit to sterilize them.

Why do Contact Lenses turn my Eyes Dry?

 

If you are among those who feel a sensation of dryness upon wearing contact lenses then you need not to panic. Science reveals that dry eye syndrome affect hundreds of people every year and it happens to increase with the age. Bright side of the story lies in the fact that with advanced technology and medications you are now able to increase contact lens tolerance.

People with dry eyes syndrome and those who do not have it; are both equally affected by contact lens induced dryness (CLID). Actually contact lenses are a barrier towards oxygen absorption for your eyes. Human eyes tend to fulfill the oxygen requirement from the environment but when contact lenses are floating on your iris, oxygen is partially blocked; to fulfill which; your eyes have to draw the oxygen from the eye capillaries.

Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes?

Even though contact lenses with higher water content i.e. above 42% are considered more comfortable; contact lenses with low water content are rather better for people suffering from dry eyes syndrome. Contact lenses with high water content may lose their moisture due to several environmental factors and as a result they will drench the moisture of your eyes to stay supple and moist. Therefore; wearing contact lenses with low water content (38%) is a genius idea for people having dry eyes. 

Symptoms of Dry Eyes Syndrome:

• Redness
• Blurred Vision
• Fall-out of contact lenses
• Difficulty blinking
• Irritation

Your eyes react when they fail adequate tear-production. Upon wearing contact lenses when oxygen is blocked you may find your eyes dry which causes hindrance in blinking. The forced blinking may cause your contact lenses to fall out from eyes.

How to Tackle Dry Eyes with Contact Lenses?

Rewetting drops formulated and approved to be used with contact lenses is the safest choice. However avoid using them unless your eyes really need lubricating drops. If you include eye drops in your routine then your eyes will become dependent on them; restricting your eyes to decrease the natural tear production.

Instead of rewetting drops drink plenty of water, eat fresh & raw vegetables and protect your eyes with safety goggles when travelling. To avoid mishaps always keep your contact lenses clean & disinfected with a multi-purpose solution.

Related:

Keep your contact lenses moist

Best Eye drops for Contact Lenses

Why did My Colored Contact Lenses Fade?

You probably won’t notice any discoloration in circle Lenses or colored contact lenses if you have been replacing them as per your prescription. Please bear in mind that branded circle lenses or Korean circle lenses are made from “Sandwich Printing Technology” which keep the pigmentation of the lens saved between two layers. Circle lenses or colored contact lenses made in China or those counterfeit lenses lack in this regard & thus may fade even before the first wear.

Colored contact lenses do fade in color overtime because everything weathers. However if you practice a good replacement schedule; you probably are not giving your colored contact lenses enough time to fade.

Following factors are involved in colored contact lens fading

The change in molecular structure of colored contact lenses that occurs due to over wearing causes discoloration. Colored contact lenses also become contaminated. Refer to the chart below for contamination signs on colored contact lenses.

Staining	Causes
Yellowish brown	Over-wearing
Brown hue	Rinsed with tap water (containing high iron content)
Yellow & Blue	Cosmetics buildup
Pink	Medicines ( VB12, improper eye drops, antibiotics)
Reddish-Brown	Contact lenses of smoker
White & bright grey	Proteins, lipids, fungi, medications

The inappropriate lens care products such as hydrogen peroxide which acts as a bleach may further accelerate the fading. Neglecting precautions when wearing circle lenses and applying makeup such as improper use of hair spray, straightening irons, curlers and dyes boost-up premature fading in colored contact lenses.

Adherence to the prescribed replacement schedule & disinfecting them regularly save you bucks and above all prevent you from frightening eye sores & abrasions!

Reference:

Contact Lens Complications- Etiology, Pathogenesis, Prevention, Therapy by Hans- Walter Roth

Best Eye drops for Circle Lenses: Rohto C Cube Eye Drops

It is not anything new for the wearers of circle lenses and contact lenses to feel eye strain, stress and dryness. There are several reasons involved for the pain that comes along with wearing circle lenses including over-wearing your circle contacts, failing to replace them past their expiry, working at computer and etc. Rohto C Cube Eye drops are the instant solution for redness, itching, burning & other similar eye conditions.

Benefits of Rohto C Cube Eye Drops

• Rohto C Cube eye drops has a triple action formula “Clean, Clear & Comfort” that keeps your eyes safe & decrease the sensitivity of eyes towards circle lenses. The increased tolerance then enable you to get the most from your colored contact lenses which otherwise is not possible. 
• The cooling sensation provided by Rohto C Cube eye drops relieves burning sensation & stress. It delivers adequate hydration to your eyes which help keeping circle lenses moist and supple.  
• The phenomenon behind Rohto C Cube eye drops is to retain natural tear fluid on the cornea as a result you get comfort from sore eyes. The immediate relief to tired eyes provided by Rohto C Cube eye drops is commendable. 

Specialty of Rohto C Cube Eye Drops

The uber cute and travel friendly packaging is the specialty of Rohto C Cube eye drops. Moreover; these eye drops are not runny like other eye drops. Rohto C Cube eye drops protect your eyes and ensure all day moisture by forming a thin veil on the surface of your cornea. This veil comes into existence due to the slightly thicker viscosity of the eye drops.

The Kawaii packaging & the promising results of Rohto C Cube eye drops is worth trying once- you will then find yourself hooked to it for the rest of your life!

By Uniqso Enquiry

Colored Contact Lenses for Computer Users

Computers are boon due to which they have now become the integral part of this global village. It is estimated that globally over 350 million people use computers daily; either at work or at home. Over 125 million of people wear contact lenses with more than 38 million people in US alone. According to American Optometrist Association; around 70-75% of computer users suffer from eye strain & vision problems. Wearing colored contact lenses may aggravate the condition leading towards dry eyes syndrome if the colored contact lenses are not properly taken care of. Colored contact lenses though directly pose no such health risk for computer users; it is advised to take complete care of your eyes if you are a frequent user of computer.

Symptoms you should look for if you work at computers with wearing colored contact lenses

Since working at computers reduce the eye-blink rate to five times; computers users tend to suffer more from eye strain and dry eyes whilst working at computers with colored contact lenses. Due to concentration required while working at computer people often forget to bat eyes which causes blurred vision and eye strain. As a result people squint eyes more often which thus make eyes feel tired and tauten. If you notice any of the three symptoms below when you work at computer with colored contact lenses then it means you are neglecting your eyes and you fail to take proper care of your colored contact lenses

• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Itching
• Redness
• Watery eyes
• Eye strain
• Difficulty batting eyes
• Eye fatigue
• Head aches
• Sensitivity to light

Colored Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes & for Computer Users

It is known that the more the water content of colored contact lenses; the drier they get. Though colored contact lenses with high degrees of water content are comfortable to wear when worn for short durations; it is believed that colored contact lenses with water content above 50% suck up the tears from eyes leaving the outer surface of colored contact lenses dry. Using colored contact lenses with 38% to 40% water content is recommended for people who have to work on computer for longer durations. Colored contact lenses with high water content remain hassle-free and pain-free as long as they are moist but as the day passes the water evaporates. Using re-wetting drops with such colored contact lenses may help alleviate the symptoms.

Here is how to combat dry eyes when working at computer with wearing colored contact lenses. It is mandatory to disinfect colored contact lenses& to wash them regularly because otherwise the protein deposits & bacteria accumulation even add to the eye-strain. Colored contact lenses neither affect vision adversely nor do they make your eyes dry provided you are following experts’ advice & keep the regular visits to your optometrist in your schedule!

Computer Vision Problems & Colored Contact Lenses

People who wear colored contact lenses and work for more than 8 hours daily on computers are more likely to suffer from computer vision syndrome. Science reveals that an average human being blinks once every five seconds that is 11,000 times a day. There are several factors that can alter the blinking rate where “focusing on computer screens” may be one of the most prominent reasons.

Using Eye Drops with Colored Contact Lenses

Working on computer for prolonged durations can reduce the blink rate to five times than the normal. Blinking is a natural phenomenon to help replenishing dry eyes. Wearing colored contact lenses block oxygen permeability; which therefore turn eyes drier. The good news is this that computer screens do not affect vision negatively on permanent basis other than just making you feel dryness in eyes which can be resolved using eye drops.

What else should be done to help maintaining crisp vision with Colored Contact Lenses whilst working on computer screens?

Several steps can be taken to prevent computer vision syndrome or dry eyes syndrome when you are supposed to work at computer while wearing colored contact lenses:

• Reduce the Glare
• Blink frequently
• Moisten your eyes at regular intervals
• Squint less
• Wear prescription colored contact lenses to reduce squinting
• Keep your body and eyes hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Take a 20 to 30 sec break after every 30 minutes. Keep your eyes moving to relax your eye muscles

Some material of colored contact lenses is better at retaining moisture such as colored contact lenses that are made from hydrogel material; whereas lubricating your eyes helps alleviating the problem even more. It is necessary to avoid over-wearing colored contact lenses and is recommended to observe strict caution when computer usage occupies the major portion of your day.