Problems Associated With Improper Contact Lens Wear

Contact lenses were developed to correct the vision of people with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. They are worn on the front of the eye and come in several varieties, including rigid lenses, soft lenses and disposable lenses. While most contact lenses serve to help people see better, there are also some that are used for aesthetic purposes, such as to change a person's eye color. Because they are in direct contact with the sensitive area of the eye, it is important that contact lenses are worn as directed or they could cause problems.

Corneal Ulcerations

• Corneal ulcerations occur most often with soft contact lenses that are worn too much, such as overnight or past their disposal date, and are not cleaned appropriately. The ulcers are a type of infection that can lead to dry eye syndrome as well as inflammation, vision problems and even a change in the shape of the cornea.

Corneal Abrasions

• Scratches to the cornea are known as corneal abrasions. These can be caused by contact lenses being inserted into the eyes too aggressively or incorrectly. They can also be caused by lenses being worn over the recommended amount of time or not being cleaned appropriately. Corneal abrasions can cause pain, inflammation and the sensation of something being on your eye. Untreated, they can lead to infections, blurred vision and vision problems in the future, even once the abrasion has healed.

Infections

• Dirt, protein deposits and other foreign substances can get underneath or build up in the contact lenses if they are not worn properly or cleaned as necessary. These substances can lead to bacterial infections of the corneas, which in turn must be treated with medicated eye drops. During the treatment period you will not be able to wear contact lenses as this can lead to further problems.

Dryness and Redness

• Wearing contact lenses for over the recommended amount of time, such as overnight or longer than a day for disposable lenses, can lead to inflammation, as well as itchiness or pain. As you wear the lenses, deposits can build up on them. If they are not taken out and cleaned properly on a regular basis or disposed of if necessary, these deposits can lead to problems on the eyes.