Health risks

The most common eye problems encountered by contact lens users are excess tearing, itching, burning, sensitivity to light, dryness, and occasional blurred or distorted vision. These conditions may be worsened by improper care or cleaning of contact lenses and increase the risk of developing an eye infection.

Clinical studies suggest that the extended use of contact lenses, particularly overnight, seriously increases the risk of developing corneal ulcers. This condition is called ulcerative keratitis. An ulcer can perforate or scar the cornea in a day or two, leading to permanent scarring of the cornea or even blindness. Many eye doctors advise their patients not to use extended-wear contact lenses.

Considerations

Hard lenses are made of a firm polymer plastic material. They are easier to keep clean because they are less likely to absorb foreign material from the eye or environment. You must remove hard lenses before you go to sleep because they restrict the flow of oxygen to the cornea, which needs oxygen to stay healthy.

Soft lenses are less durable, but are more comfortable because they are made of a softer plastic called hydrogel. Because they contain a higher percentage of water, they permit a better flow of oxygen to the cornea. However, the material is also more porous, so there is an increased risk of eye irritation and infection due to contamination by bacteria, dust and protein. Usually soft contact lenses are removed from the eye at the end of each day.

Extended-wear lenses are soft contacts that have been licenced for continuous wear for up to 30 days and nights without being removed.

Rigid gas permeable lenses combine the features of hard and soft contacts. They permit the passage of more oxygen to the cornea than hard lenses do, and are more effective for people with astigmatism.

Cosmetic contact lenses are tinted lenses that are used purely for cosmetic reasons to change the colour of the eye.

Corneal reshaping or refractive lenses are rigid gas permeable contacts that are custom-fitted by an eye care professional. They are worn overnight, and are intended to reshape the cornea to correct minor degrees of nearsightedness and astigmatism in adults. These lenses do not correct vision while they are worn. Instead, vision is corrected for several hours after wear, because the cornea has been temporarily reshaped during sleep. The procedure is called orthokeratology, and the results are variable. This type of contact lens should be fitted only by an eye care professional with specialized training.

Smoking and contactlenses
Smokers are eight times more likely to develop corneal ulcers than non-smokers, no matter which type of contact lenses they wear. Anything that causes dry eyes, including antihistamines, birth control pills, alcohol and air travel, can make contact lenses uncomfortable, and can increase the risk of an eye infection. In addition, environmental contaminants, such as dust, smoke, sprays and pollen, can irritate the eyes when you wear contacts.