Ready to trade your eyeglasses forcontact lenses?
Youroptometristorophthalmologistwill perform a comprehensiveeye examinationand conduct certain tests to determine if contact lenses will work for you.
Tears help keep contact lenses moist and lubricated.
Science Photo Library / Getty Images
What Can Be Done?
Severe dry eye syndrome can put a person at risk of corneal scarring and potential infection.
However, mild to moderate dry eye patients can usually wearcontact lenses, at least part of the time.
It can be caused bymeibomiangland dysfunction.
Meibomian glands function to secrete a pop in of oil.
When these glands are inflamed, either too much or too little oil is being secreted.
This can result in evaporative dry eye.
Having dry eyes can make wearing contact lenses extremely difficult.
Anterior blepharitis
Anterior blepharitis affects the outside of the eyelid where the eyelashes attach.
This bang out of inflammation may be associated with either dandruff or bacteria.
It is usually best to treat blepharitis before being fit for contact lenses.
Blepharitis is treated by applying warm compresses and gently cleansing the eyelid.
The allergy cascade or reaction is often associated with triggers or antigens that make allergies flare up.
This can make it difficult to wear contact lenses successfully.
What Is Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis?
People with GPC often complain of irritation and mucus discharge.
GPC often develops in people who already wear contact lenses.This condition can usually be successfully treated.
Be willing to try several different diagnostic or trial lenses while being fit.
Your eye care professional may recommend an alternative lens design besides regular soft lenses.
Many of these options provide superior vision compared to soft disposable lenses.
Treatments are available for conditions such as allergies and dry eyes.
Ensuring you take proper care of your contacts can also help.
If you think your contact lens solution is causing the irritation, try switching to a different brand.
If poor-fitting contact lenses are causing your discomfort, see a eye care professional right away.
They can assess your fit and possibly recommend alternative lens options.
Keratoconus
Keratoconusis a condition where thecorneabecomes thin and bulges like a cone.
Symptoms may include:
This condition often affects both eyes and slowly gets worse over time.
That said, persons with late-stage disease may not be able to wear contact lenses.
If the cornea changes shape, it may feel uncomfortable to wear contacts or they may not fit properly.
If you have keratoconus, contact lenses may still be an option.
Your eye care provider may recommend you try hard contact lenses.
If you are at high risk for this complication, contact lenses may not be right for you.
That’s because the lens can further irritate the inflamed eye.
That said, some types of infection can lead to serious vision loss and even blindness.
To avoid such complications, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Another concern is potentially losing a contact lens while on the job.
This can impact one’s ability to see and may pose a safety hazard.
If you continue to have bothersome symptoms, see your eye care provider right away.
Summary
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for contact lenses.
For some people, it may be difficult or nearly impossible to wear them.
Fortunately, it’s possible to treat and/or manage many of these underlying causes.
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