Causes for the Inability to Wear Contact Lenses

Contacts are small, plastic disks that sit on the eyes' corneas that correct people's visions. Offering more freedom than eyeglasses, contacts are weightless, virtually invisible and easy to wear. Approximately 30 million people wear contact lenses in the United States, according to HealthScout.com. However, some individuals, for a variety of reasons, are unable to wear contact lenses.

Dry Eye Syndrome

• People with dry eye syndrome have difficulty wearing contact lenses. Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes' tear glands do not produce sufficient tears. Dry eye syndrome is usually found in older adults and persons suffering from autoimmune disorders. Dry eye syndrome may also be caused by certain medications, such as antihistamines and diuretics.

Ocular Hypersensitivity

• Some people are unable to wear contact lenses due to ocular hypersensitivity. In other words, their eyes are more sensitive to the preservatives in contact lens solution and reject the contact lens. This allergic reaction makes contacts incredibly uncomfortable to wear. Diabetics are cautioned against wearing contact lenses because they are more prone to infections.

Hard to Fit Contact Lenses

• Some people have eye shapes that do not fit most contact lenses. Patients with irregular curves in their cornea may find it difficult to find contact lenses that will fit. Irregular eye shapes can be caused by corneal transplants and those who experienced poor lasik surgery outcomes. Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the cornea begins to bulge and become cone-shaped. People with keratoconus may find it difficult to find well-fitting contacts.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) is an inflammatory disease that causes the eyes to secrete proteins. Due to this deposit of proteins, people suffering from GPC cannot wear soft contact lenses since the proteins collect and cloud the lens.

Severe Nearsightedness

• Contact power only goes so high. People with severe nearsightedness will not be able to find contact lenses powerful enough to correct their vision. In these situations, these patients must continue wearing eyeglasses to see clearly.