Lens Discomfort Tips: 5 Important Points To Follow And Be Aware Of

Lens discomfort tips are some of the ways that users can be aware of and follow if they notice themselves struggling with discomfort during use. Here are 5 important points for users to follow and be aware of.

Lens Discomfort Tips #1: Remove Contact Lens Immediately

When the contact lenses seem to cause discomfort, removing it immediately protects the eyes from further irritation — this might be due to certain reasons such as something is behind the lens, inappropriate way of hydration or actual damage to the lens. The immediate removal of a lens also helps prevent more serious complications such as corneal abrasions, infections or dryness. 

When the lens is removed, one needs to check if there are obvious particles visible on it that could have been causing the irritation. Often, dust or some buildup, even protein deposits on the contact lenses is the problem and may require cleaning with any suitable contact lens solution.

Also, the lens should be inspected for any damage such as tears or warping as damaged lens can never be properly placed on the eye again and will only continue to irritate it further. This then leaves one with no other option but to throw away the lens and get a new one in its place. If it appears that the look of the lens is fine and undamaged, then one can try to rehydrate it in the proper solution prior to inserting. However, if the irritation persists even upon cleaning or replacement of the lens, use of the contact lens should be avoided and users should consider wearing glasses. 

A persistent irritation could denote an underlying problem such as dryness of the eye or an infection — professional advice must be sought. Similarly, discomfort results from using contact lenses for more than their prescribed usage period. Always follow the advice of your eye care professional and remember that lenses are medical options which demand proper hygiene and care. Quick removal when the lenses become uncomfortable would protect your eyes and enable taking care of your eyes much longer.

Lens Discomfort Tips #2: Double Check Contact Lens Prescription

Among the most critical factors when it comes to the discomfort of contact lenses is whether you are using the correct prescription. A mismatch in the prescription by even a small extent can cause eye strain, blurry vision and discomfort. It is necessary to have your contact lens prescription checked regularly because the change in vision may happen gradually with time. These lenses, when no longer serving the changed vision needs of a person, might lead to discomfort, headaches and even worsening of conditions one may already be suffering from with their eyes. 

You should schedule a visit with your optometrist if your lenses are uncomfortable. They will conduct an eye examination to see whether or not your vision has changed and if your lenses remain suitable. Moreover, wrong prescriptions would even affect the shape of your cornea — making things more difficult later on if one wants to wear lenses comfortably.

Other factors include wearing the right type of lens for your prescription. For instance, astigmatism requires the use of toric lenses over regular spherical lenses. If not, the result may be very uncomfortable and cause poor vision. In this regard, your optometrist may suggest another type of contact lens material or brand that will better work with the shape and moisture levels of your eye.

It is also necessary to ensure that your lenses are within the wear time prescribed for them. Daily, bi-weekly and monthly lenses have the risk of being uncomfortable if worn for too long — the material deteriorates with time and becomes less efficient in maintaining moisture for comfort. Regular prescription review and wearing the correct lenses take you not only toward comfort but also towards ensuring the long-term health of the eyes.

Lens Discomfort Tips #3: Visit An Eye Doctor

In any case, uncomfortable contact lenses require a visit to the eye doctor immediately. Problems may be caused by dry eyes, an infection, an improper fit or allergic reactions either to the material used or the solution. Most minor irritations can be caused by dust, dirt or particles happen to be trapped under the lens. On the other hand, persistent irritation may suggest a more serious underlying condition such as corneal abrasions, conjunctivitis or other forms of issues — all needing professional attention.

See a doctor for proper eye examination to find out where this discomfort is coming from. They can also check whether your lenses have the right prescription or proper fitting or recommend any other kind of lenses or different solutions that will best fit your eyes. This may be changing the material of the lens, updating the wearing schedule or hygiene routine which may bring less discomfort to the eyes in the future.

A doctor’s advice will help you evade long-term complications aside from preventing further damage to your eyes. Long-term serious conditions that could affect vision may be brought about by disregard of the discomfort caused by lenses especially when an infection is left untreated. Once an infection or injury is determined, your doctor may provide medicated eye drops or recommend other modes of treatment.

Also, recurrent or chronic irritation with contact lenses can be a sign that your eyes are incompatible with contact lenses in their present state and your doctor may recommend alternatives such as wearing glasses again or corrective surgery. In any case, early consultation with an eye care professional is the safest way to take care of your eye health and maintain comfortable and safe lens experience.

Lens Discomfort Tips #4: Look For Trapped Debris

One of the first things to do, if the contact lenses are causing discomfort is to check for debris. Dust and dirt or small particles easily get lodged between the lens and your eye which causes irritation, redness and discomfort. To fix this kind of issue, the first step in such a case would be to remove the lens immediately after one feels any discomfort. 

Users should then wash their hands well to avoid transferring additional particles or bacteria onto the lens. Once removed, check the lens for any possible debris that may be stuck on the surface such as dust or lint. When the lens seems to have foreign particles on it, carefully rinse with the contact lens solution recommended.

After cleaning, check the lens again for remaining debris. If the discomfort remains upon reinsertion, it would be best to remove the lens again and gently flush your eye with sterile saline solution or an eye wash. Tap water should be avoided since it may transfer microorganisms that can cause an infection in the eye.

Sometimes, even the lens becomes damaged due to irritation. Try replacing the lens if you do not see apparent debris and still feel discomfort. Proper hygiene and handling will help you avoid debris from getting onto your lenses in the future. You can minimise the possibility of discomfort coming from debris by cleaning your lenses regularly and storing them in a clean fresh solution. In this case, regular checking of the lens and its cleaning will help to avoid discomfort where it is not needed and maintain good eye health.

Lens Discomfort Tips #5: Following Through With Proper Hygiene Practices

With discomfort in wearing contact lenses, strict hygiene practices can alleviate the uneasiness while providing healthy eyes. Firstly, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your contact lenses. Such simple action will help avoid the introduction of potentially harmful bacteria or debris that could further irritate the eyes. 

Dry your hands well after washing by using a clean and lint-free towel so that you do not transfer any fibres or residues onto the lenses. When inserting or removing your lenses, make sure this is done in a clean environment. In the case of discomfort, first remove the lens and check whether any visible damage, debris or irregularities can be found. Cleanse the lens with the prescribed contact solution and not tap water or saliva — which may introduce more microorganism. Ensure proper cleaning of your case and that the replacement is performed regularly since a dirty case can be hosting bacteria — leading to infections. 

Rehydrate your lenses with appropriate lens drops as dryness contributes to discomfort. Also, always follow the wearing schedule prescribed for your lenses as one of the major reasons for irritation is overuse. If even after all these practices the discomfort prevails, then eye consultation needs to be done to rule out hidden problems or to alter the type or prescription of the lenses. Furthermore, these hygiene practices not only alleviate discomfort but also maintain overall eye health and prevent potential complications from contact lens wear.

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