Contact lens intolerance: causes, tips & treatment options

Author: Dr. Victor Derhartunian 21 May 2024

Contact lenses are a popular visual aid. However, wearing them is not always possible without discomfort: many people suffer from contact lens intolerance. This article explains the symptoms of contact lens intolerance , what you can do about it and what alternatives there are to contact lenses.

Development and symptoms of contact lens intolerance

A contact lens covers the cornea. This impairs the transport of nutrients from the tear film to the cornea. Degradation substances accumulate under the contact lens, which can only be removed via the tear film with difficulty. This can result in contact lens intolerance, which causes various symptoms. Those affected suffer from symptoms such as

  • Redness and inflammation
  • Itching
  • Burning sensation
  • Watery eyes
  • Inflammatory change on the inside of the upper eyelid

Causes of contact lens intolerance

One possible cause that leads to the symptoms of contact lens intolerance is an allergic reaction. The allergy can relate both to the materials of the contact lenses themselves (silicone and plastic) and to the contact lens solution. An allergic reaction should be considered in particular if you already suffer from other allergies and skin sensitivities. However, other causes can trigger contact lens intolerance:

Lack of hygiene

If contact lenses are not sufficiently cleaned and disinfected, germs, dirt and protein deposits can accumulate. This not only causes irritation to the eye, but also increases the risk of infection. It is therefore all the more important that contact lenses are cleaned regularly and that hands are washed before inserting and removing them.

Dry eyes

If you already suffer from dry eyes, then you have an increased risk of contact lens intolerance. Wearing contact lenses impairs natural tear production. This can intensify the dryness of the eyes. This is often not recognized as the cause. This is because when worn, the contact lens acts like a cover that protects the eye better than the tear film. The increased dryness is only noticed when the contact lens is removed.

Incorrect adjustment or incorrect application

It is also important that the contact lenses fit well. Inadequate adaptation of contact lenses to the individual eye can lead to rubbing, pressure points and pinching of the eye. Incorrect use can also cause contact lens intolerance. If the recommended wearing time for contact lenses is exceeded, this can lead to irritation and dryness of the eyes.

Man with sore eyes

Hormonal changes

Hormonal fluctuations can also lead to contact lens intolerance. The problem can be triggered in women in particular by:

  • Taking the pill
  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause

Unhealthy lifestyle

An unhealthy lifestyle increases the likelihood that you will suffer from contact lens intolerance. Things that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle are: Smoking, not eating a balanced diet and inadequate hydration.

Taking countermeasures in the event of contact lens intolerance

See a specialist

If you experience symptoms of contact lens intolerance, you should first consult your ophthalmologist or optician. They will help you to find the cause of the intolerance. At the same time, symptoms such as inflammation can be treated medically with eye drops, ointments or medication .

Fitting contact lenses and care products

You should also reconsider your hygiene measures. Regular cleaning and disinfection of contact lenses and the use of suitable care products minimize the risk of contact lens intolerance. If necessary, a change of contact lens brand or material can help.

Individually fitted contact lenses

The size of the contact lenses may need to be checked again. This is to avoid friction, irritation or mechanical injury to the cornea caused by unsuitable contact lenses. You should therefore attend regular follow-up examinations.

Switch to daily disposable lenses

Daily disposable lenses are only used once and then disposed of. Changing the lenses every day makes it easier to comply with hygiene measures. Daily cleaning is no longer necessary. You also avoid the build-up of deposits on the contact lenses, which can lead to irritation.

Reduce contact lens wearing time and take breaks

The recommended wearing time for contact lenses varies depending on the manufacturer and material. You should always adhere to this. If you already suffer from symptoms of intolerance, it may be helpful to reduce the wearing time further. It is also advisable to have days when you take a break from wearing contact lenses and use alternative visual aids instead – this allows your eyes to recover.

Woman injecting eye drops into the eyes

Use of eye drops

If your contact lenses cause dry eyes or make the dryness worse, you can use eye drops regularly. These moisturize the eyes and relieve the itching, burning and increased tearing of the eyes.

Avoid irritants

If your eyes are already irritated by wearing contact lenses, you should take care to avoid other potential irritants as far as possible. These include, for example

  • Smoke
  • Dust
  • Chemicals
  • Cosmetics

Alternative visual aids and methods

If all countermeasures are not helpful, you have the option of correcting the visual defect using alternative visual aids or other methods, such as surgery.

Recourse to the classic visual aid: glasses

The advantage of glasses is that they are easy to use, require no special care and can also serve as a fashion accessory. By adjusting the lenses, glasses can be individually adapted to different strengths of defective vision and different types of visual defects:

Refractive surgery options: laser eye surgery

Various visual defects can be permanently corrected with the help of laser surgery: Short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism. An excimer laser changes the cornea in such a way that the refractive power of the eye is adjusted. After the procedure, visual aids are often no longer necessary. In addition, the success rates of laser surgery are very high. This is why laser eye surgery is becoming increasingly popular. There are various methods, including, for example

However, laser eye surgery is not suitable for everyone. Eye diseases or a cornea that is too thin can be reasons for exclusion. You should discuss with an eye specialist whether laser eye surgery is possible for you and which method is suitable for you.

Lens implants (ICL) for severe visual defects

Another option for refractive surgery is a lens implant. An artificial lens is inserted into the eye. This adjusts the refractive power of the eye and corrects visual defects. This is suitable for short-sightedness, long-sightedness and presbyopia. Lens implants are often used for particularly severe visual defects or when laser eye surgery is not possible for various reasons.

Orthokeratology: better vision overnight

Orthokeratology is a method in which special dimensionally stable contact lenses are worn overnight. The special lens temporarily changes the shape of the cornea so that the refractive power is adjusted. The result: temporarily better vision. The short-term adjustment of the refractive power means that visual aids are no longer required during the day.

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Author:

Dr. Victor Derhartunian

Nachdem er sein Handwerk von den beiden Pionieren der Laserchirurgie gelernt hat, gehört Dr. Victor Derhartunian zu den führenden Augenlaser-Chirurgen. Er leitet die Praxis in Wien und kann seine Patienten in fünf Sprachen beraten.