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One eyes hurts worse without contacts
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kinsigne posted:
For the past few weeks, every now and then my left eye will hurt whenever I put pressure to it. It feels like I have something in my eye, so I take out my contacts lenses but it hurts WAY worse. I wear my glasses for the rest of the day until the next day and it feels better but then it comes back a little while later.

I have been wearing contacts for ten years and I wear daily lenses. I'm not sure what the problem could be. Thanks for any advice!
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:One eyes hurts worse without contactsFor the past few weeks, every now and then my left eye will hurt whenever I put pressure to it. It feels like I have something in my eye, so I take out my contacts lenses but it hurts WAY worse. I wear my glasses for the rest of the day until the next day and it feels better but then it comes back a little while later. <br /><br />I have been wearing contacts for ten years and I wear daily lenses. I'm not sure what the problem could be. Thanks for any advice!
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Alan M Kozarsky, MD responded:
I certainly cannot determine exactly what is going on but there are a few general principles.

Is sounds like you are experiencing what we call "foreign body sensation" which occurs when there are tiny abrasions on the cornea. Alternatively, this can be caused by an inturned eyelash or a stye.

A soft contact lens is an effective barrier between the blinking eyelids and the irritated cornea and in the presence of small abrasions, the eye is sometimes much more comfortable with a contact lens in place.

That being said, we strongly discourage the wearing of contact lenses when there is any irritation of the eye. Indeed, a contact lens is generally clean but not sterile and could introduce bacteria or fungus to an abraded cornea causing a serious sight threatening infection. So, if any irritation, don't even think about inserting a contact lens. It may be that the contact lenses are causing the irritation and it is only when you remove them that you actually discover how abraded the cornea is.

Whatever the problem, dryness or contact lens related irritation, it needs to be diagnosed and treated before returning to your contact lenses.
Report This| Share this:One eyes hurts worse without contactsI certainly cannot determine exactly what is going on but there are a few general principles.<br /><br />Is sounds like you are experiencing what we call "foreign body sensation" which occurs when there are tiny abrasions on the cornea. Alternatively, this can be caused by an inturned eyelash or a stye. <br /><br />A soft contact lens is an effective barrier between the blinking eyelids and the irritated cornea and in the presence of small abrasions, the eye is sometimes much more comfortable with a contact lens in place.<br /><br />That being said, we strongly discourage the wearing of contact lenses when there is any irritation of the eye. Indeed, a contact lens is generally clean but not sterile and could introduce bacteria or fungus to an abraded cornea causing a serious sight threatening infection. So, if any irritation, don't even think about inserting a contact lens. It may be that the contact lenses are causing the irritation and it is only when you remove them that you actually discover how abraded the cornea is. <br /><br />Whatever the problem, dryness or contact lens related irritation, it needs to be diagnosed and treated before returning to your contact lenses.
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kinsigne replied to Alan M Kozarsky, MD's response:
Thank you very much! I will be sure to follow this and follow up with my eye doctor.
Report This| Share this:One eyes hurts worse without contactsThank you very much! I will be sure to follow this and follow up with my eye doctor.
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