Can Corneal Oxygen Deficiency Lead to Serious Eye Problems?

Corneal oxygen deficiency occurs when the cornea -- the transparent shield covering the eye -- is deprived of oxygen. This is most commonly caused by excessive contact lens wear. Contacts block oxygen from filtering into the cornea, which over time can lead to a deficiency. In some cases, this can lead to serious eye problems.

Corneal Oxygen Deficiency

• This condition is normal very mild. You may experience slight discomfort, redness, dry eyes, or blurred vision. However, if the cornea is continually deprived of oxygen for a long period, serious complications can arise. You may develop permanent dry eye, characterized by frequent itching and irritation. You also risk developing corneal dystrophy, in which the cornea clouds up and obstructs vision. Keratoconus is a common concern, characterized by a thinning of the cornea leading to astigmatism and significant nearsightedness. This condition may require a corneal transplant to restore normal vision.

Precautions

• Take several steps to avoid developing corneal oxygen deficiency. Most important, follow general contact lens instructions for wear and care. Never sleep with your contacts on. If you wear two-week lenses, discard your contacts after that and start a new pair. Once in a while, give your eyes some time to breathe; try wearing glasses one day per week. Before applying contacts, always throughly rinse each lens with lens solution.

Treatment

• If you suffer from mild corneal oxygen deficiency, use rewetting drops to relieve eye dryness and irritation. Make sure you use drops specifically designed for contact lens users. Certain contact lenses are specifically designed to encourage the flow of oxygen into the cornea; to correct corneal oxygen deficiency, try switching to a more breathable soft contact lens.