Why are My Eyes Sensitive & Why do they Over-React with Contact Lenses?

Sensitive eye is a condition where eyes over-react to certain happenings that are obviously normal for others. A gust of wind, smoke, pollen suspended in the air, colored lenses, minerals from cosmetics, or chemical fumes etc turn sensitive eyes blood shot, inflamed and uncomfortable. Having sensitive eyes do not necessarily indicate an infection or a disease- they just react abnormally to some irritants that are totally fine for others.

Sensitive Eyes & Contact Lens Tolerance

Contact lens tolerance is significantly reduced when you have sensitive eyes. All eyes are sensitive to contact lenses to some extent as they are a foreign agent, but sensitive eyes feel burning, scratchy or stubborn dryness with contact lenses.

Sensitive eyes need greater care as the major cause behind is the unbalanced tear film. Tears keep eyes moist and lubricated where blinking further helps to maintain the smooth surface. When the tear-chemistry is disturbed, blinking fails to flush out the irritants. Sometimes, a diseased called seborrheic blepharitis produces excessively oily tear film (dirty-tear film). Due to the oiliness, the surface of the eyes does not wet properly that creates true dry eye sensation. Frequency of blinking with seborrheic blepharitis is also affected due to which additional dryness is noticed.

Other than infections, seasonal allergies such as hay fever or use of cosmetics may trigger negative response against contact lenses among people with sensitive eyes. Everything affect sensitive eyes from improper hygienic habits to use of cosmetics that are improperly stored or are very old.

Sensitive Eyes & Best Type of Contact Lenses

Fortunately, people with sensitive eyes can still bear with contact lenses. However, after a thorough analysis eye doctor would often suggest avoiding certain kind of contact lenses. For instance, contact lenses with high water content are not a good choice for people with dry eyes. Similarly, extended wear circle lenses are never recommended for people having sensitive eyes. Daily disposable or monthly wear contact lenses are two main options depending on the level of sensitivity. Daily disposable may be a bit expensive though.

Some people can tolerate contact lenses fairly well than others who can’t wear contact lenses daily or consecutively for hours. Using re-wetting drops, keeping contact lenses cleansed and using hypo-allergenic cosmetics help improving the condition. FDA contact lenses minimize the risk & don’t pose potential hazards; yet the key to healthy eyes is “take out, when in doubt”.

3 Best Home Remedies to Relieve Eye Strain for Better Contact Lens Tolerance

People who wear contact lenses for vision correction and work at digital screens for long duration may feel a stinging dry eye condition that is often known as eye sore. Though there are several over-the-counter lubricating drops available, you can also try home remedies given below for an enhanced contact lens tolerance.

Causes of Eye Strain & Symptoms

There are many reasons responsible for eye strain. The leading causes can be lack of sleep, sleeping in with contact lenses, reading in dim light whilst still wearing contact lenses, over-wearing colored contacts, starring at digital screens without a proper break, allergies, incorrect prescription of contact lenses, abrupt exposures to bright light etc.

Symptoms of eye sore may be inflammation, difficulty focusing, discharge, difficulty blinking, red eyes, dryness, poor contact lens tolerance, blurred or hazy vision & headaches. For instant relief Complete Blink N Clean lens drops are the best remedy but trying the following home remedies will lay great benefits in the long run as they are promising to improve the over-all health of eyes.

1. Eye Massage

Whenever you feel strain in eyes, the best thing to do is eye massage. Using few drops of warm olive oil, massage your eye lids very very gently for 5 minutes. This will not only relieve the eye strain, but also activate the tear glands to help alleviate the dryness. It also softens the muscles around eyes that help improving the focus. If you are wearing colored contacts; you are advised to put them off before beginning the massage.

2. Palming

If you are struck by the eye strain at your work place, where there is no availability of olive oil; you can reduce the painful sensation by palming. Rub your palms together and make them warm enough. Place your palms softly over your closed eyes. Relax for about 30 seconds. Avoid exerting pressure on your eyelids. Repeat the process 3-5 times a day if your work routine includes prolonged reading, writing or starring at digital screens. This exercise does not require you to remove your contact lenses, so double bucks of cheers, yaay!

3. Warm Compress

At the end of day when you are feeling all tired with strained eyes; try warm cloth compress. Remove your contact lenses, lie down & relax. Take a piece of cloth, fold in at least three to four layers and soak it in mildly warm water. Wring the excess water and place the warm towel over your eyelids. Breathe in and out with full concentration. Warm cloth compress is noted to provide ultimate comfort from strain and helps relaxing eye muscles. It also reduces dryness.

Also Read : [Tips of Relieving Strain for Computer Users wearing Contact Lenses ]

During eye strain, avoid using cosmetics and false eyelashes. Removing makeup & falsies exert pressure that may exacerbate the strain. Contact lenses should be used only after thorough deep cleansing & a tight contact lens replacement schedule should be followed to avoid complications like neovascularization & corneal stress.

Related:

Eye Sore: Are Contact Lenses Responsible?

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Disturbance in Tear Chemistry Affects Contact Lens Tolerance

Our eyes are coated with a preventive tear film that keeps eyes lubricated and free from bacterial contamination. The very same tear film helps contact lenses float over the cornea. Every time we blink, a new and fresh supply of tears is released that ensures, contact lenses stay soft in our eyes. It also helps flushing irritants out of the eye. Disturbance in the tear film lays adverse effects on contact lens tolerance. Sadly; there are several factors that contribute negatively to reduce the production of the tear film. To continue wearing your contact lens without discomfort, take measures to keep your eyes lubricated the entire day.

Factors that Destroys the Tear Film Balance

1. Air conditioners, heaters & wind all add to eye dryness. They evaporate tears quickly that leaves eyes dry & stingy. When the tears formation is reduced; eyes are barred to blink, which may cause problems with contact lenses
2. Smoking, medications & birth control pills reduce contact lens tolerance.
3. Alcoholic drinks & drugs reduce tear-formation that causes discomfort with contact lenses
4. Working on computers, playing video games, or staring long at LCDs reduce the typical average blink rate. This leads to dryness which aggravates foreign body sensation in eyes.

How to Improve Tear Formation for Comfortable Contact Lens Wear

1. Don’t wait for your eyes to burn or sting for using lubricating drops. Keep instilling eye drops at regular intervals for an increased tolerance with colored contacts
2. Make use of humidifiers to balance the humidity with heaters. Hot air burns the moisture in the building that eventually cause dryness to both the body and eyes.
3. Wear protective eye wear such as glasses and shades when travelling.
4. Drink water to keep your eyes hydrated.
5. Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body. Studies prove that omega-3 relieves dryness & are beneficial to brain, joints and heart muscles.
6. Whilst working on a computer, take frequent breaks. Remember 20-20-20 thumb rule that stresses on a 20 second break after every 20 minutes and looking some 20ft away.

Tear film plays great role in keeping eyes comfortable. When the layer is disrupted, the entire ocular mechanism is disturbed. Eyes feel dry, blurred, inflamed and the stinging sensation is accompanied by hazy vision. Eat fresh vegetables, avoid alcohol, & take annual contact lens examination.

Should I Continue Wearing Contact Lenses in Cold or Flu?

Certain medications such as anti-allergenic and birth-control pills lay adverse effect on contact lens tolerance. Although; influenza virus is nothing to panic about, continuing to wear your contact lenses whilst you cough, sniff or suffer from a runny nose brings discomfort & prolonged flu duration.

Also Read: Does Medication Affect Contact Lens Tolerance Negatively?

When you catch cold; it is time to give your eyes a break from contact lenses. It has often been observed that during cold you are prone to rub your eyes because of itchy sensation. Furthermore, wiping off runny nose and then inadvertently rubbing your eyes with same soiled hands facilitate bacteria accumulation over contact lenses which can be a source of bacteria transmission and deposition over your corneas.

Contact lenses should be avoided during influenza’s seasonal attacks for two reasons. Former reason deals with unhygienic practices where as the later one deals with “Poor-production” of tear-film. The tear film or tear-chemistry is disturbed when you are sick that therefore encourages the quick evaporation of tear-film. This turns eyes drier and induces stinging sensation along with corneal scratches or abrasions.

You do not need to avoid contact lenses throughout the flu period; you only need to observe caution. Wear your circle lenses only when it is too crucial to avoid them. If circle lenses are not functional in your life and just cater to serving your fashion needs; you should completely halt wearing these contacts. Do not help yourself spread the virus. Practice hygiene when handling contact lenses & observe a break for first 3 days!