Tag Archives: cleaning solution

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Posted in Eye Health Bookmark the permalink.

4 Reasons Your Contact Lenses Could Be Making Your Eyes Burn

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Clean, well-fitting contact lenses should be so comfortable that you forget you’re wearing them. If they give you a burning sensation, one of several things could be wrong.

1. Your contact lenses are dirty. Protein deposits and other debris accumulate on contact lenses over time, even if you properly clean and disinfect them. These block oxygen from getting to your eye, causing irritation. It can be fixed by adding a separate lens cleaner to your regimen or by replacing your contacts more frequently.

2. You have allergies. Allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander can build up on/under your contact lenses making for red, itchy, watery eyes. Your doctor may restrict where/how long you wear your contacts or recommend daily disposable lenses.

3. Your eyes are dry.  Contact lenses can make some eyes dry out. Symptoms include redness, scratchiness, excessive tearing, or a feeling that something is in your eyes. Your doctor may prescribe eye drops and/or vitamins.

4. You’re sensitive to your lens cleaning solution. An ingredient in your contact lens solution could be irritating your eyes. Even if you’ve safely used the same solution for years, it’s possible to develop an adverse reaction to it. Switching to a preservative-free solution may help.

The only way to know what’s making your eyes burn is to get an eye exam. Don’t delay: even simple problems like this can become serious if left untreated.

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Posted in Lens Care Bookmark the permalink.

Can I Store My Contact Lenses in Water?

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Never store contact lenses in water. Even the purest water contains bacteria and microorganisms that can cause eye infections.

Water won’t disinfect your lenses. They’re made of plastic, which becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens within minutes of contact with water. Water can also cause your contacts to change shape and stick to your eyes, causing pain and blurred vision.

This is the same reason why you should remove your contacts when swimming. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a pool, lake, or the ocean; microorganisms in the water will go for a ride on your lenses and cause problems later. If you can’t remove your contacts before going for a dip, wear swim goggles to protect your eyes, or dispose of wet lenses immediately after leaving the water.

We can’t stress this enough: water-related contact lens infections can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss, even blindness.  Stick to approved cleaning solutions!