Common contact lens complaints & how to treat them

Many lens wearers experience discomfort towards the end of the day. Silicone hydrogel lenses have been designed to counter these problems by allowing a higher amount of oxygen to permeate the eye. Many of these specially designed lenses are also able to stay more hydrated throughout the day.

It is also common for people who experience contact lens induced dry eye to switch to a brand with lower water content. Although it sounds paradoxical, in some wearers, contact lenses with higher water content can become dryer more easily, which can exacerbate the symptoms of dry eye. Make sure you consult your optician, however, before switching lenses.

For some lens wearers end of day discomfort caused by lenses can be best resolved by reducing lens wear for a few hours a day, for example wearing your glasses in the evenings after work rather than leaving your lenses in until you go to bed.

Occasional eye dryness can be relieved temporarily by eye drops. However, you must make sure they are suitable for use with contact lenses. Not all drops are compatible with all lenses either, so it is important to get your optician's advice first.

For on-going symptoms, your optician may even suggest you switch your brand of lenses to those designed to combat dry eye.

If you can feel your contact lenses while wearing them, this could simply be a poor fitting. Just as all eyes are different, so are lenses, and they must be tailored to your specific requirements. You will be aware of the lens on your eye if the diameter or base curve has not been measured accurately. Similarly, if lenses are not curved enough, they can become dislodged when you blink.

Even if you take proper care of your lenses, over time they can develop residue, which you cannot remove. This too can make you increasingly aware of your lenses.

We recommend that you remove your contact lenses and wear your glasses until you've had a chance to speak to your optician: sometimes a change to your care products is all that is required, or you might need to switch to daily disposable lenses.

Stinging eyes can be a sign of contaminated lenses. As contact lenses absorb fluid, they also soak up any creams, oil, dirt or substances they come into contact with, which will sting when it touches your eye.

Always wash your hands thoroughly to prevent contamination before touching your lenses and eyes. Use soap that is free of perfumes and moisturizing agents, as well as a clean towel.

Another option is to use daily disposable lenses; these prevent contamination because you discard rather than reuse them.

If you are unable to insert your lenses without experiencing discomfort we recommend that you do not wear them and consult your optician. In the meantime, it would be a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses to wear.

If you experience painful and red, swollen eyes, and/or your eyes produce a discharge, stop wearing your lenses immediately and consult your optician. We recommend keeping a spare of glasses at home and in the office to wear encase you need to remove your lenses suddenly.

These symptoms can accompany serious eye conditions and you won't be able to feel comfortable in your lenses until this is treated. Continued wear of your lenses may even make this worse, regardless of what caused the infection.

Discomfort is most often associated with dirty lenses or extended wear, so it is important to follow the advice of your optician on lens care procedures. You can also switch to daily disposable lenses, which require no lens care.

Many lenses are daily, two-weekly or monthly disposable and should not be worn longer than their recommended usage length if you want to avoid irritated eyes.

Wearing your contact lenses in dry, dusty or dirty conditions can cause them to dry out or for irritants to get attached to your lenses. Eye drops specifically designed for use with lenses can help to keep them hydrated throughout the day.

Many people with allergies notice their eyes are affected when they suffer. While allergies may affect your eyes, your lenses could also be involved as dirt or particles can stick to your lenses, causing them to become a constant source of irritation. Clean your lenses regularly to avoid this.

Discuss with your optician whether you need to switch lens care products or even change to daily disposable lenses. They may even be able to prescribe eye drops to alleviate the symptoms, which can include eye twitching.

Eye problems such as dryness and irritation can be brought on by medical conditions or biological changes, such as hormonal changes, allergies, acne rosacea, thyroid conditions and Sjogren's syndrome. Allergy and blood pressure medications can also cause dry eye.

Many medications can cause dry eyes, specifically those for allergies and blood pressure. You may only be using medication for a short while, in which case eye drops can help rehydrate your eyes (check they are suitable for use with lenses first) or you may even consider wearing glasses temporarily.

For dry eyes caused by long term medication, speak to your doctor or optician. They may have specific lenses which they think will help, or even suggest taking supplements such as flaxseed oil.

A lot of alcohol or caffeine in your diet can mean you need to drink more water. If you don't, your eyes will become dry and irritable. Eye dryness also brings with it other problems, such as twitching eyes.

You can choose to limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol or even by taking supplements such as flaxseed oil, which can improve your tear quality. Speak to your doctor or optician first for their recommendations.

Those who smoke are also at an increased risk of dry eye, as well as much more serious conditions such as macular degeneration.

Below are some popular measures that can be taken against contact lens induced dry eye syndrome. If your eyes do not look or feel healthy, remove your lenses immediately and speak to your optician.

There are several kinds of contact lenses which might help dry eye. Your optician may suggest one of these if your lenses fit fine but you still suffer discomfort. As products evolve more rapidly, it is possible these lenses are a lot more comfortable than your old ones.

Silicone hydrogel lenses: These soft lenses allow a higher amount of Oxygen to reach the eye for more comfortable wear. It is also thought they stay hydrated for longer.

Low water lenses: It might seem strange, but sometimes contact lenses with higher water content are more prone to dehydrating in dry conditions.

Daily disposable lenses: Daily disposable lenses will ensure there is no build-up on your lens, as can happen with two-weekly and monthly lenses. These are best for allergy sufferers or if your tears behave in such a way that residue clings to your lenses.

Dry eye lenses: Some brands of soft lenses are specially approved for dry eye syndrome, such as Proclear lenses from CooperVision. Your optician will also be able to recommend other brands that are believed to react well to dry eye syndrome.

It is important to follow your optician's care instructions for your contacts and the products recommended for use with them. If your lenses aren't cleaned properly, they can cause irritation.

Not all solutions and eye drops are designed for use with every lens, and some can cause the lens to degrade, impairing your vision and comfort. You may, over time, even develop sensitivity to your usual products. This is especially common in solutions which use preservatives.

Speak to your optician if you have any problems with your contacts or care products, as they may be able to suggest an alternative.

Eye Drops: These are a temporary way of replenishing the fluid in your eye; however, not all eye drops can be used with contact lenses, so speak to your optician first. In some instances eye drops can also discolour lenses.

Some eye drops may also be advertised as eliminating redness of the eye, but these do not treat the underlying issue of eye dryness.

Supplements: For your lenses to fit comfortably, your tears need to be of good quality, otherwise they can dry out quicker. Some studies have concluded that omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish and flaxseed oil, can improve tear quality and reduce evaporation, it's easy to buy these supplements or as they are sometimes called in the chemist or online from retailers like VisionDirect.

Punctal Occlusion: This procedure blocks the tear ducts that drain tears away, preventing dehydration of the eye. A 'punctual plug' (usually a small piece of silicone) is inserted to ensure the tears stay on your eye instead of draining away. It is also possible to test this treatment with temporary 'plugs' that dissolve by themselves.

Orthokeratology: If you experience discomfort throughout the day with your lenses, you could try Orthokeratology. This process involves wearing special lenses each night to reshape your cornea, helping you see clearly throughout the day without lenses or glasses.

Orthokeratology has been cited as a viable alternative for those who lead active lifestyles or who spend time in conditions which irritate their lenses.