Can Wearing Contacts Too Much Hurt My Eyes?

Have you been debating getting contact lenses for a few months? Are you worried that they might be painful?

Making decisions about anything related to your eyes is a big deal. Many people get nervous about even the idea of putting something in their eyes.

They are very sensitive and need to be healthy to see clearly. Even though contact lenses are well known and common, there are still things you may not know about them. When you are thinking about getting contact lenses, you need to know as much about them as possible.

Getting your first pair of contact lenses is an exciting time. You can see clearly without having to worry about anything on your face.

But it is important to wear them correctly, so you do not suffer any negative side effects from them. Keep reading to learn if wearing contacts too much can hurt your eyes!

Reduces Oxygen to Your Eyes

When you put contacts on your eye, they cover your entire cornea. This decreases the amount of oxygen that your eyes receive.

One thing that’s important for good eye health is that your eyes get enough oxygen. Depending on the type of contact lens you and your doctor decide on, ask about soft or silicone hydrogel lenses.

Unlike traditional soft contact lenses, they allow more oxygen into your eyes. Make sure to wear your contact lenses for a short period of time. Extended periods of time can make your eyes irritated from lack of oxygen.

Dry Eyes

A very common side effect from contact lenses is dry eyes. Another thing contact lenses can do is decrease how many tears your eyes produce.

When you are wearing contacts, they block your cornea from being able to absorb tears. Tears keep your eyes moist.

When your eyes are not getting enough moisture, you develop dry eyes. When you have dry eyes, your eyes can be itchy, burn, or look red.

If your eyes stay dry for too long, your corneas can become scarred. Having dry eyes can be painful if left untreated.

Reduced Eye Reflexes

Another side effect from contact lenses is that they can cause reduced reflexes in your cornea. It is important that your cornea has reflexes because they keep your eyes safe.

Your brain tells your eyelids to close to keep your eyes safe. This protects them from something putting pressure on your eye. This reflex is what keeps your eyes safe from any potential traumas.

When you wear contact lenses, they can make your cornea ignore its reflex. Your eyes might be slow to respond to something flying towards them and can cause an injury.

To keep your eyes safe, only wear your contacts as needed. Wearing your glasses keeps your cornea’s reflexes working.

Corneal Abrasion

Contact lenses can cause scratches on your cornea. This type of eye injury is called a corneal abrasion. Patients get corneal abrasions from contact lenses not fitting correctly or from having dry eyes. You can prevent corneal abrasions by not sleeping in your contacts.

Are you ready to discuss getting contact lenses? Schedule an appointment at Mid Ohio Eye in Columbus, OH today!