Problems With Soft Contact Lenses

Most people can wear soft contact lenses without difficulty. Soft contacts are made of gel and absorb water, which improves their comfort level. They remain on the eye without popping out and do not trap dust or debris behind the lens. However, soft contact lenses must be cleaned and replaced regularly to avoid causing serious eye damage.

Surface Damage

• Soft contact lenses are easily chipped or torn through manufacturing defects or by rough handling. They also deteriorate as they age. The symptoms of a damaged contact lens include excessive tearing and the feeling that there is a foreign object in the eye. Blurred vision is another common symptom. According to Contact Lens Answers, small rips and tears in the contact lenses can lead to more severe conditions by allowing bacteria to enter the eye. Remove and replace the damaged lens.

Allergies

• Some people are unable to wear soft contact lenses because of allergies. Contact lens solutions contain chemical preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, or EDTA, that cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The symptoms of a chemical allergy include eye discharge, itching and redness. Rewetting drops usually make the problem worse because they contain the same solutions. Perret Opticians recommends switching to a preservative-free disinfecting system.

  Some people are allergic to the lens material itself. Sometimes switching to a rigid lens or changing brands helps to alleviate the discomfort level. Other individuals develop allergic reactions to the bacteria that forms on the edge of the eyelid and accumulates behind the surface of the lens. The protein deposits that build up on lenses are another potential allergen.

Injury or Irritation

• Corneal abrasions are scratches or scrapes on the cornea, or clear part of the eye. Contact lens wearers sometimes develop abrasions by wearing their contacts longer than the recommended period of time without discarding and replacing them. A corneal abrasion is characterized by muscle spasms surrounding the eye that cause squinting. Redness, blurred or distorted vision, pain when exposed to bright lights and the feeling that there is something foreign in the eye are also symptoms of a corneal abrasion.

  Contact lens wearers may experience irritation from makeup on the surface of the eye. The symptoms vary from mild irritation to sharp pain, depending upon the wearer. Old lenses and lenses that do not fit correctly also cause redness and irritation.

Infections

• Giant papillary conjunctivitis is caused by an allergic response to contact lens deposits. It is characterized by large lumps underneath the upper surface of the eyelid and is accompanied by eye discharge, redness and itching. The condition is treated with anti-inflammatory medication.

  Corneal ulcers are infections of the cornea. Invading bacteria causes small corneal abrasions that lead to infection. The symptoms are pain, redness, tearing, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. Remove the contact lens and contact an eye-care practitioner immediately. Untreated corneal ulcers lead to permanent eye damage and blindness.