If you wear your lenses for longer than the recommended wearing schedule the oxygen supply may be reduced. This may lead to corneal abrasions, corneal ulceration or infection.
Symptoms may include:
Blurred vision
Redness
Possible irritation or pain

Solution: Always keep within the wearing schedule recommended by your contact lens practitioner.

Protein, lipid and calcium particles can stick to your lenses causing irritable, itchy and red eyes.

Solution: Clean your lenses properly and replace them regularly. This greatly reduces the build up of deposits. An old lens can be uncomfortable as it develops scratches, deposits or nicks in the lens - throw it in the bin!

This can be due to the lens itself, deposits on the lens or the preservative in some contact lens solutions. It can lead to redness, itchiness, tearing or discharge and a general intolerance of contact lenses.

Solution: Allergic reactions may be alleviated by removing deposits from the lenses, replacing the lens, changing the lens type or changing solution type.

This often occurs when there is an insufficient quantity or poor quality of tears. Some causes include Hormonal changes or pregnancy are known to cause difficulty in contact lens use in women. Prolonged VDU use reduces rate at which you blink, causing lenses to dry out. Environmental causes e.g. poor air quality or low humidity.

Solution: Lubricating or rewetting drops (ideally preservative-free) can extend the time lenses can be used and improve comfort. Always consult your optometrist if any of these symptoms persist.

"If in doubt, take them out!"