Talking About Optometry For Kids

Are Your Itchy, Uncomfortable Eyes Caused By Your Contact Lens Solution?

19 October 2016

Amelia Dunn

If you have been experiencing dry, itchy, or painful eyes while wearing your contact lenses, your first instinct might be to blame the lenses themselves. But while this is a reasonable conclusion to draw, you may be ignoring the real culprit. Not all contact lens solutions are made from the same formula, and lower quality products may contain ingredients that can irritate your eyes or even provoke an allergic response. Understanding how your contact solution interacts with your eyes could provide an easy answer to your discomfort and help you find the right brand for you. 

Keeping Your Eyes and Contacts Moisturized

The most obvious job of contact solution is to keep your lenses moisturized while they aren't being worn. This preserves them overnight, but it also makes the transition to your own eyes smoother and less irritating. If that contact solution triggers a minor allergic response when exposed to your eye, it could prompt redness and dryness when you first put in your contact lenses. If you experience these symptoms early in the day and they subside over time, you should consider trying a different brand or visiting your optometrist for testing. 

Protecting Your Eyes From Infection

As unpleasant as it might be to think about, your eyes are full of microbes, both harmful and beneficial. These bacteria can thrive in the oxygen-deprived environment between your contact lens and your eye, leading to infection and even permanent damage if allowed to continue. Contact solution is designed to kill these microbes and clean the lens, lowering your risk of infection. If your current brand of contact solution isn't adequately eliminating harmful bacteria, you may have been experiencing a low-grade infection for some time. 

Getting Rid of Old Buildup and Debris

As you go about your day, your contact lenses collect debris and become encrusted with a thin film of calcium and proteins. Besides being unsanitary, this buildup can fog your lenses and irritate your eyes, leaving you squinting to see and flinching every time you blink. Your contact lenses should be clear and supple when you take them from their case in the morning; if they are hard or a little foggy, you may need a solution that cleans more aggressively. 

Switching to a Better Brand of Solution 

Most optometrists or contact lens suppliers are familiar with contact solution brands and their various strengths and weaknesses. If a regular eye exam shows that your eyes are otherwise healthy, talk to your optometrist about possible irritation from your solution and the brand you are using now. You may get sent home with a new bottle of solution that is much easier on your eyes, solving your discomfort problem without the hassle of experimenting with different contact brands instead. 

For more information, contact a clinic like Discover Vision Centers.

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