Eye contacts are a viable and preferred alternative to wearing glasses. They sit directly on the eye giving a wider range of vision and can be worn during physical activities without the risk of falling off or breaking. However, contacts impact the amount of oxygen reaching the eye, which can contribute to the dry eye syndrome. This can cause inflammation and irritation of the eye.
In this OneHowTo article we will share advice on how to soothe eye pain from contacts.
First and foremost, contact your eye doctor to determine the reason behind the eye pain. You might need different contacts or different eye products. It is also possible that wearing glasses is a better choice for you.
If you need immediate comfort you can use natural remedies such as warm compresses for bloodshot eyes or cold compresses for inflamed eyes.
Applying these softly onto the eyes for 10 to 15 minutes can provide instant pain relief. Cold compresses are indicated for itchy eyes. To reduce the icy sensation try alternating between cold and warm compresses as needed.
If the symptoms get worse contact your eye doctor immediately.
If you notice that you only suffer from occasional pain or dryness you may find relief by using artificial tears. It is best to consult with your eye doctor because not all products are made equal and eye drops vary depending on the contact lenses used. Additionally, stay away from store bought products for “red eyes” as these are not made reduce eye pain from wearing contacts.
It is also possible to increase the quality production of your own tears with the help of nutritional supplements. It has been argued that omega-3 fatty acids from sources such as salmon or flax seeds can affect the oil composition of your tears. Additionally, herbal remedies such as Rooibos or bilberry have properties that contribute to healthy immune systems and healthier eyes.
Many contact lenses can be re-used, but perhaps you may find relief if you switched to disposable contact lenses. Dust, pollen and other particles can stick to the contact lenses. If you wear them multiple days in a row some of these particles if not properly removed can start irritating the eyes.
It is questionable if you can use contact lens solution as eye drops but, in an emergency it could be fine.
if you want to soothe eye pain from contacts, you should know there are also new and improved contact lenses that contain a higher level of water content. Hydrogel (soft) lenses are known to have higher water content helping with eye lubrication. More advanced variations such as silicone hydrogel ones even enable more oxygen to reach the eye. Consult with your eye doctor for trustworthy brands.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Soothe Eye Pain from Contacts, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.