Why have my contact lenses been bothering me so much lately?
I’ve had contacts for about two years now. Occasionally they have bothered me in the past, but have mostly been blaming that on how long I’ve worn the pair. Recently, though, the last three pairs have been worse. The first few days of a brand new pair are great and I don’t even notice they’re in my eyes. Then, they start to annoy the crap out of me, making my vision all blurring and my eye lids sore. So, after barely a week I have to toss them. I do use “contact lens” eye drops, but only provides temporary relief.
What could be causing this? What are some good remedies? Should I see a doctor?
I wear Acuvue Oasys with Astigmatism.
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6 Answers
How long do you have them in each day?
@le_inferno Let’s see: From about 7AM to 5PM (Always take them out when I get home from work because they bother me so easily), so that’s 10 hours.
With anything that involves contact lenses bothering your eyes, I would definitely go see your opthamologist. Your doc will likely be able to help, and can also diagnose if you have an eye health problem that requires treatment. That said, here are a few things I have experienced in the past. I’m also an Acuvue Oasys wearer, but without astigmatism.
It could be your contact lens solution. Some are harsher/harder on your eyes than others. Also, everyone reacts differently to different solutions. I’ve found the Alcon solutions to be easier on my eyes than the Bausch & Lomb solutions.
It could be protein build-up. This sounds unlikely given the relatively low number of hours each day that you’re wearing your contacts and how soon it’s happening with a new pair. However, if protein builds up to the point where you have an allergic reaction to it, then even fresh contacts will feel uncomfortable. In that situation, your opthamologist can prescribe eye drops that will clear things up in a week or two.
It could be your eyes drying out. Did you change work recently? Are you in front a computer more? When working on a computer, your blink rate slows down and contacts are more likely to dry out. You say you are using rewetting drops, so that should help.
I hope the above info is helpful.
I don’t know what kind of re-wetting drops you use but Blink is the best I have found. My doctor sold me on them and they are incredible. Maybe that can help you out a little bit.
Your eyes could just be dry right now and so they’re more irritable. If you’re using new contact solution that can bother your eyes too. But, yeah, if they’re bothering you that badly I’d see my opthamologist.
It seemed to me they would get drier when the heat in the house came on and the humidity went down. Also on bad air quality days, more junk floating in the air to get into my eyes.
I agree with @OnaBoat if it doesn’t get better with the artificial tears you are adding, I would call the eye doctor.
I wonder if it is possible to get a bad batch of lenses?
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