Why has my Favorite Pair of Contact Lenses begun to Sting my Eyes out of a Sudden?

Contact lenses if have manufacturing flaws, will sting you right at the moment you slip them in eyes. Contrary to this, if your contact lenses begin stinging your eyes after a couple of months, the reason is either the accumulation of foreign agent or your carelessness & unhygienic approach towards contact lenses.

What to Do if Contact Lenses Sting?

Rinse & Disinfect:

Rinsing & Disinfecting using your regular contact lens solution helps eradicating the following two concerns:

Also Read: [Why do my Eyes Itch after Removing Contact Lenses]

1. Wearing an Inverted Contact Lens: 

If it is the first time your favorite pair of contact lenses is causing a piercing sensation, the reason might be you wearing them inverted. This is often times a product of your lousiness hence not a major concern. Taking them out from eyes & rinsing them before reinserting will solve the issue.

2. Foreign Agent: 

Contact lenses have micro projections that help them adhere to your eyes. These micro-projections also enable adherence of foreign agents such as a tiny lint, dust particles and protein buildup. In most of the cases, rinsing & disinfecting will help relieve the discomfort. If it does not make a difference, look at your contact lenses closely. Inspect them for any possible notches or scratches. If you have been pinching your lenses way too harshly whilst removing them; your contact lenses will begin to de-shape. They may even develop scratches. Be very careful when dealing with contact lenses. Sometimes trying to wear dried out contact lenses also leave a burning sensation because they might have developed wrinkles that don’t usually go even if they look just new after being re-soaked.

Change your Contact Lens Solution:

If your eyes have caught an infection lately or have become allergic to any of the ingredient present in your disinfectant; your contact lenses will continue to burn no matter how much you rinse and clean them. The best way to find out if it is your contact lenses or solution causing the discomfort; is to try rinsing different pairs of contact lenses using the same solution. Most probably, you will notice these symptoms if contact lens solution has been causing you the discomfort.

Contact lenses with enough protein buildup and lipids accumulation also itch your eyes. People who develop sensitivity over time or whose tear-chemistry gets compromised are vulnerable to dirty contact lenses. Solutions containing hydrogen peroxide are notable in such cases for thorough breakdown.

Also Read: [Considerations with Hydrogen Peroxide Solution]

Contact lenses are personal prosthetic devices. Depending on your tear chemistry and health of eyes you may not feel the same your friend feels in contact lenses. Therefore, it is better to consult an eye doctor instead of making assumptions on your own. If the above remedies don’t seem to make a hit; we recommend getting an appointment from your eye care professional for further considerations.

6 Great Remedies for Contact Lens Discomfort & Dry Eyes

It would have been impossible to wear contact lenses without the tear film that is present in your eyes. They lubricate eyes, help flushing out the irritants and ensure that contact lenses float smoothly. People with dry eyes don’t produce enough tears or suffer from high evaporation rate. With tears it is not only the quantity, but quality too that makes a difference. In case you have dirty tear film (excessively oily film) contact lenses will be uncomfortable for you because of your eyes staying dry. To help relieve dryness, practice the following remedies & continue wearing contact lenses for color change and vision correction.

Also Read: [Home Remedies for Eye Strain with Contact Lenses]

1. Re-Wetting Drops

Using rewetting drops help the dryness go away temporarily. However, make sure you get contact lens compatible eye drops. Using in compatible eye drops may fade or discolor contact lenses which will do more bad than good.

Also carefully read the label. Eye drops that are advertised to eliminate the “redness” do not combat against the traditional dryness of the eyes.

2. Healthy Food & Nutritional Supplements

People with dry eyes should increase the intake of water and focus more on consuming herbal teas. Keeping a good balance between omega fatty acids, consuming green leafy and raw vegetables also help. In severe dryness nutritional supplements prescribed by doctor help improving the tear film’s quality.

3. Disposable Contact Lenses

Some people suffer from dry eyes because of oily aka dirty tear film. These eyes produce more oil than needed due to which cornea is always coated with a thin oily film. Hence; dryness is observed as tears are unable to wet the surface. This facilitates protein and lipids buildup on contact lenses that adds to discomfort. Using daily disposable contact lenses help getting rid of discomfort caused by dirty contact lenses.

4. Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Today contact lenses that allow greater oxygen permeability are available. They are made from silicone hydrogel material that stay moist and pliable longer than other soft contact lenses. They are very comfortable and are a perfect solution for dry eyes. Since they are made from advanced technology; expect a slight price hike.

5. Contact Lenses with Water Content

Water content in contact lenses plays a prominent role in contact lens manufacturing. Contact lenses hold different amount of water. For people with healthy eyes, water content doesnot really seem to bother but people with dry eyes may find it difficult to get adjusted with contact lenses holding water content upto 50%. If your lenses fit you nicely, but still sting; it is probably the water content causing trouble. Switching between different brands or talking to your doctor may help.

6.Contact Lens Care Products

Always choose your contact lens accessories and care products wisely. Only use pharmacy formulated eye drops and soaking solution. Contact lens solutions may contain preservatives to which some people are strongly allergic. Reduce chemicals by cutting down contact lens solutions to one multi-purpose solution that soaks, rinses and disinfects. Using multi-purpose solution also prevents drug interaction. If you develop allergy over the course of time against a preservative used in your all-time favorite contact lens solution; talk to your doctor for further guidance. 

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!

Why do My Eyes Itch after Removing Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses if bear manufacturing flaws will itch when you wear them. Contrary to this, if you get an eye sore or develop any kind of irrational discomfort after removing contact lenses then the problem is perhaps in your contact lens solution. Alike contact lenses, there are several varieties of contact lens solutions available in the market but only some meet the health standards.

The delayed hypersensitivity that develops after many months of contact lens wearing is more likely an indication of incompatible solution. Solutions including preservatives that are mercury based often lead to irritation & redness. Harsh chemicals trigger instant reactions leading to temporary ocular disorders. Whilst the best strategy is to discontinue wearing contacts for a day or two, it is advised that you meanwhile look for a hypoallergenic multi-purpose contact lens solution. Multi-purpose solution is a multi-tasking liquid that does not only soak & preserve your contact lenses but also disinfect them thoroughly by breaking down the lipids and proteins accumulated on the surface of circle contacts.

Patients with previous history of infections, allergies, eczema etc. are more likely to get affected by substandard solutions or lenses. The sensitivity grows further if the immediate actions to relieve the discomfort are prevented.

How to identify the culprit of the discomfort

If contact lens solution has been the problem; you should expect any of the following symptoms

1. Irritable & Itchy eyes with same pair of lenses you have been wearing for a couple of months
2. Increasing discomfort even after removing the contacts
3. Weepy eyes that feel warm

What to do?

1. Switch to pharmacy made multi-purpose solutions.
2. Use eye drops to help relieve the discomfort
3. Don’t leave the solution bottle unopened. Leaving the caps off reduces the efficacy of the disinfectant.

Most of the patients are concerned about what they take in their eyes. They however forget the importance of a good contact lens solution. Solutions are as significant as are your contacts. Contact lenses correct the refractive errors, where as a good antimicrobial & bio-compatible multi-purpose solution will form a protective barrier against germs, reaching your eyes.

Also Read: 

Alternatives of Contact Lens Solutions- Safe or Harmful?

3 Reasons for Contact Lens Discomfort

Contact lenses have been a boon for people with vision problems. Unfortunately some people would find contact lenses painful and irritating. Contact lenses themselves should not be a problem if they have been purchased from certified sellers and are FDA approved. Sometimes certain environmental conditions and lifestyle are the reasons behind contact lens discomfort. Read below to trace the reason behind your uncomfortable contact lenses

If you notice symptoms like:

1. Itchy and irritating eyes
2. Discharge
3. Redness
4. Blurred/hazy vision
5. Eye strain
6. Intolerance to contact lenses
7. Dry eyes

Worry Not; since these symptoms can be treated and reduced by bringing few changes in your living style. These could happen because of:

Excessive Tear Evaporation

The over-excessive usage of smartphones/computers and high exposure to LCDs can cause rapid tear evaporation. Due to evaporation of tear film, eyes become dry and reduce tolerance to contact lenses. Contact lenses float over cornea and tear film facilitates it. Often times; using good quality eye drops do the trick but if you have sensitive eyes; you must need to limit the usage of such modern devices.

Here is how to manage Contact Lenses whilst using Computers

Make-up & Contact Lenses

Women who wear makeup; if fail to cleanse and disinfect contact lenses with multi-purpose solution might notice a stinging and burning sensation. Makeup particles and pigments can irritate eyes leading to serious eye infection that increases the inability of wearing contact lenses for longer duration. If you are a makeup-holic; keep your accessories cleaned and contact lenses disinfected.

Air- Conditioners

Air-conditioned buildings turn eyes drier. This is also yet another reason of quick tear film evaporation. In summers; avoid staying too long under air-conditioned environment when wearing contact lenses.

A study suggests that improving life styles help improving the tolerance towards contact lenses. Just by keeping your eyes enough lubricated you are taking all matters under control. Tears lubricate your eyes; help preventing infections by washing external agents off of eyes and keep contact lenses moist. Try using Rohto C Cube eye drops for a noticeable difference and sparkling eyes.