HOW TO USE CONTACT LENSES | PREVENTING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CONTACT LENSES

Contact Lenses

Any user of contact lenses should know that without the right attention and care, contact lenses could cause serious damage to the cornea and the conjunctiva.

Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses, with many advantages and some inconveniences.

PRECAUTIONS FOR CONTACT LENSES

• Do not wear them for more than the recommended number of hours, and do not sleep with them in place.
• If your eyes become red or irritated, remove the contact lenses and consult a specialist.
• Never and never should you use non-distilled water or non-sterilized saline solution.
• Do not share them with anyone, as they can damage others' eyes, even if they have been disinfected.
• Abide by the expiration date on the contact lenses and on the maintenance solutions.
• Wash, rinse, and disinfect them with appropriate solutions each time you change them. Also remember to wash your hands first.  

COMPLICATIONS WITH CONTACT LENSES

Giant Papillary Conjuctivitis

Inflammation of the conjuctiva that covers the inner aspect of the upper eyelid, caused by contact lenses.

• Causes: Intolerance to maintenance solutions; deposition of protein on the lens. More frequent with soft lenses.
• Symptoms: Itching, sticky secretion.
• Prevention: Change maintenance solutions for something less allergenic. Wear rigid or semi-rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

Corneal Abrasion from Contact Lenses
Irritation of the cornea due to the presence of one or more particles betwwen the backside of the lens and the cornea.

• Causes: Tends to be more with rigid lenses. A speck of invisible dust on the backside of the contact lens can be enough to cause it, especially if the eyes are rubbed with the lens in place.
• Symptoms: Sensation of a foreign object.
• Prevention: Clean the contact lens well before putting it on.

Corneal Neovascularisation Due to Contact Lenses

Appearance of capillaries over the cornea.

• Causes: Corneal oxygenation deficiency due to lenses that are too tight.
• Prevention: Change the type of contact lens.

Corneal Edema due to Contact Lenses

Swelling of the cornea due to fluid retention. Its sensitivity decreases, due to which it becomes weak and more prone to infection. It is the most common serious complication from wearing contact lens.

• Causes: Insufficient oxygenation of the cornea otherwise known as Asphyxia due to:

1. Lenses that are too tight or too small, which impede the circulation of tears between the cornea and the contact lens.
2. Insufficient blinking due to an inhibition reflex: when it bumps the edge of the contact lens, the eyelid does not close completely. This reduces the circulation of the circulation of the tear fluid between the contact lens and the cornea, which is necessary for oxygenation of the cornea.

• Symptoms: Pain and blurry vision after removal of the contact lens.
• Complications: If it continues, a corneal ulcer may develop.
• Prevention: Avoid contact lenses that are too tight, and do not leave them on overnight.

Corneal Ulcer due to Contact Lenses

Loss of corneal substance with added bacterial infection. It is the most serious complication from wearing contact lenses.

• Causes:

1. Insufficient cleansing of the contact lenses.
2. Excessive continuous use 

• Symptoms: Pain, sensation of a foreign object, secretion, redness of the eye.

What to do if You have Complications

• Remove the contact lenses immediately: this is usually enough to alleviate the discomfort.
• Do not strain your vision for 24 hours.
• Apply an eye compress.
• Do an eye massage.
• A corneal ulcer requires specialized attention by an ophthalmologist.