Are you tired of your contact lenses causing more frustration than freedom? Most contact lens wearers have experienced some form of contact lens intolerance, yet many don’t recognize the warning signs until discomfort becomes unbearable.
Contact lens intolerance isn’t just a minor inconvenience, it’s your eyes’ way of telling you something needs to change. Whether you’re a longtime wearer or recently started experiencing issues, understanding contact lens intolerance could be the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.
Keep reading to learn more about the subtle signs that may indicate you have contact lens intolerance, ranging from subtle daily discomfort to serious symptoms requiring immediate medical attention.
What is Contact Lens Intolerance?
Contact lens intolerance is the term used to describe the point at which the eye can no longer tolerate the foreign body (contact lens) that has been in place, and the eye begins to show signs of rejection. The contact lens is, in essence, a foreign body placed in contact with the sensitive tissues of the eye on a regular basis.
It is not surprising, then, that the body should use its normal defenses against foreign bodies in reaction to the intrusion of the lens. When this happens, even contact lenses that once felt comfortable can suddenly become impossible to wear.
What makes contact lens intolerance particularly challenging is that it often develops gradually. You might not notice the subtle changes until one day your contacts simply won’t cooperate anymore.
Contact lens intolerance usually happens with long-term use, for multiple reasons, which is why even experienced wearers, especially experienced wearers, are at risk.
At Dell Laser Consultants, our eye doctors specialize in helping patients understand and address contact lens intolerance through comprehensive evaluations and advanced treatment options. Our approach focuses on identifying the root causes rather than simply managing symptoms.
The 6 Warning Signs of Contact Lens Intolerance
1. Persistent Eye Redness That Won’t Go Away
We’ve all experienced occasional eye redness, but contact lens intolerance presents differently. Eye pain, blurred vision, and redness are all signs of an inflammation or infection and should be treated immediately by an eye care professional.
With contact lens intolerance, redness typically appears as chronic irritation that persists even after removing your lenses. Your eyes may look consistently bloodshot, particularly around the edges where the contact sits.
This isn’t the temporary redness from a long day, it’s your eye’s inflammatory response to what it now perceives as an irritant. The redness associated with contact lens intolerance often worsens throughout the day and may take hours to subside after lens removal.
Some patients notice their eyes remain slightly red even on days when they don’t wear contacts at all.
2. Increasing Dryness and the “Gritty” Sensation
Dry eye symptoms should not be tolerated, rather, they should be thoroughly evaluated by your eye doctor for causes and treatment options. Contact lens intolerance often manifests as persistent dryness that eye drops can’t seem to resolve.
This isn’t ordinary dryness, it’s the feeling that sand or grit has somehow gotten under your lenses. Wearing contact lenses also limits the amount of moisture in your eyes, and when intolerance develops, this problem becomes magnified.
You might find yourself constantly reaching for lubricating drops or blinking excessively to try to generate relief. Many patients describe this sensation as feeling like their contacts are “sticking” to their eyes or creating a foreign body sensation that never quite goes away.
The gritty feeling often intensifies in air-conditioned environments or during activities requiring sustained focus, like computer work.
3. Excessive Tearing and Watery Eyes
It might seem contradictory, but excessive tearing often accompanies the dryness of contact lens intolerance. This happens because your eyes are trying to flush out what they perceive as an irritant, your contact lenses.
In its advanced stages, lens wear causes an intolerable foreign body sensation, which can cause the overproduction of mucus. The tearing isn’t the same as emotional tears. It’s your eyes’ defensive response.
This excessive tearing can create a frustrating cycle: the more your eyes water, the more your contacts move around, causing additional irritation and more tearing.
4. Shortened Comfortable Wearing Time
Remember when you could wear your contacts from morning until night without a second thought? Others may wear contacts for longer than recommended, causing minor sensitivity to spiral into severe discomfort with excessive wear. With contact lens intolerance, comfortable wearing time progressively decreases.
What used to be 12-14 hours of comfortable wear might shrink to 8 hours, then 6, then even less. This progressive shortening of wearing time is one of the most reliable indicators of developing contact lens intolerance.
It’s your eyes’ way of setting boundaries that become increasingly strict over time.
5. Blurred or Fluctuating Vision
Vision changes with contact lens intolerance can be subtle but significant. You might notice that your vision seems slightly less sharp than usual, or that it fluctuates throughout the day while wearing contacts.
Eye pain, blurred vision, and redness are all signs of an inflammation or infection that require professional evaluation.
6. Pain or Significant Discomfort During Lens Insertion or Removal
The final and most concerning sign is actual pain during lens handling. Contact lens wearers suffering from contact lens intolerance are no longer able to apply a contact lens to their eye or wear contacts for any extended time without pain, discomfort, or injury.
This isn’t the brief discomfort of getting something in your eye. Instead, it’s consistent pain that occurs every time you try to insert or remove your lenses. Some patients describe it as a sharp, burning sensation, while others report a deep aching that persists after lens removal.
When contact lens intolerance reaches this stage, continuing to force lens wear can lead to more serious complications, including corneal abrasions or infections. This level of discomfort is your eye’s final warning that intervention is needed immediately.
Ready to say goodbye to contact lens frustration? Schedule an appointment at Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, TX, to explore your options for clear, comfortable vision that doesn’t depend on daily lens insertion and the constant worry about intolerance symptoms.
