Most of us that wear contacts usually pop them in and forget it until there is a problem like red eye. Be mindful that contacts are a foreign object making direct eye contact. When red eye occurs let this be a warning to get your immediate attention to avoid any potential serious eye issues.

Causes And Solutions

If you have allergies, wearing contacts may pose difficulties because of the lens tendencies to collect pollen and other deposits on the surface that will aggravate eye allergies. The constant tearing, rubbing itchy eyes can make life miserable.

Allergies and redness can be caused by contact lens solutions, re-wetting, disinfecting, cleaning and eye drop lubricating solutions. Reaction does not always appear immediately but may suddenly develop after long-term use (years or months). Since these formulas can contain preservatives this may be the source of the problem.

If you wear contacts eyes can become red and scratchy as the day wears on eventually resulting in dry eye syndrome. Sufficient tear formation is needed to wear contacts because

lenses can absorb wetness as they become dry reducing natural eye moisture.

To reduce dry eye try limiting the amount of time you wear lenses to a few hours.

Defective, torn, loose and ill fitting contacts can restrict tear flow, oxygen to the cornea. Poor fitting contacts cause eye redness, pain and even infection.

What is giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)? It is an allergic reaction to protein build-up on contact lens.

GPC can often be prevented by good lens care and cleaning. It not only causes eye redness but discharge. If you have a pre-existing condition like allergic asthma, your risk of GPC is much greater. Papillary conjunctivitis is usually resolved after lens wear is stopped for a while and eye inflammation is reduced by allergy drops.

What causes contact lens induced acute red eye? Also known as C.L.A.R.E (tight lens syndrome and contact lens overwear syndrome); it is found in hydrogel EW (extended wear) lens users. Furthermore, a good reason not to sleep in contacts. C.L.A.R.E is caused by lens overuse and abuse. This would include not disposing of lenses at the designated time, cleaning with unapproved solutions. Symptoms include sensitivity to light, severe eye pain upon awakening, decrease vision and redness.