Next to eyeglasses, contact lenses are the oldest and most frequently chosen option to improve the ability to see. For those who’d rather not wear glasses but are also not open to the idea of undergoing LASIK eye surgery, contact lenses are the near-perfect compromise – with an emphasis on “near.”

What are the negatives of contact lenses?

Most people who wear contact lenses agree that they are comfortable and enable them to see better. Generally, contact lenses may be worn safely every day, and then removed every evening. There are possible risks, however, that may result from wearing contact lenses. These include eye abrasions, dry eyes, and even red eye or conjunctivitis – where the clear mucous membrane that covers the white of the eyeball and inside of the eyelid becomes infected. In rare but severe cases, contact lenses may cause what are known as “corneal ulcers.” This happens when the outermost part of the eye becomes inflamed and causes the patient extreme pain, and possibly leads to blindness.

What are the side effects of contacts?

Outside of feeling any discomfort, patients are unable to determine the seriousness when they are wearing contact lenses. Should anyone who wears contacts feel symptoms of irritation or infection in their eyes, he or she should remove the lenses and place them in the container. Lenses should not be thrown away: The eye care professional who prescribed these lenses will need to study them as a way to uncover the problem.

If you are considering switching from eyeglasses to contact lenses, don’t let the information explained above scare you. Just be aware that, depending on the health of your vision, you will need to first find out if in fact your eyes are able to accommodate the wearing of contact lenses. Make an appointment with your nearest SightMD office for an eye exam and to find out if you are a candidate for contact lenses. Our eye care professionals will help you to determine the best solutions for seeing as best as possible.