Negative consequences of wearing lenses. Consequences of prolonged wearing of contact lenses

To date, contact lenses have become very common in people with poor eyesight. Due to the popularity of technology began to improve.

Lenses became an alternative and an ideal replacement for points. They can cope with a problem like astigmatism.

Lenses are made of the following materials:

• The hydrogel is a very soft material.
• Polymeric compositions are rigid materials.

Their wearing is quite comfortable and convenient. But some people because of poor quality care or non-hygiene may have unpleasant consequences of wearing a lens, and they can be quite serious. Therefore, it is recommended that you periodically visit an ophthalmologist, cleanse properly and do not wear them for longer than the due date.

What causes long or wrong wearing of lenses? The consequences can be very different. In this article we will consider the main of them.

Corneal edema

If a small concentration of air enters the cornea when wearing contact lenses, edema may form. This is due to the irregular shape of the lenses or sleep in them.

Symptoms of corneal edema:

• Around everything is blurry.
• If you look at the light bulb, a rainbow forms around it.
• Eyes red.

Such consequences of wearing lenses, like edema, are easily eliminated if you immediately consult a doctor. Having started treatment on time, swelling can be removed in a few days.

Protein deposits

These effects of wearing lenses are very popular, but are harmless.

Fats, calcium and proteins that are on the lacrimal surface, begin to contact the surface of the contact lens. Subsequently, an uneven and rough film appears on it. The human eye is almost invisible, you can only pay attention to the fat structure of the surface. But under the microscope everything is clearly visible.

Thus, these deposits accumulate, and because of them there are eye irritations. They begin to itch and blush. In this case, you need less time to wear the lens. If nothing is done, it is possible to form an infection that will lead to more severe consequences.

A multipurpose solution that contains enzymes can help in this situation. And to control such consequences of wearing contact lenses, like protein deposits, it is recommended to use disposable devices for a while.

In cases where such problems occur very often and in large quantities, it is advised to use lenses that are made of material with the use of crofilcon A or nerafilcon A. They tolerate such complications most stubbornly.

It is worth remembering that such protein deposits can be dangerous to the eye, as they are potential carriers of microbes and infection. In addition, the rough and uneven surface of the lens can scratch and injure the cornea.

Conjunctivitis

Considering the consequences of wearing contact lenses, it is necessary to mention conjunctivitis. It is formed in the form of a tubercle on the inner upper part of the eyelid. This happens because of the large number of accumulated lymphocytes, eosinophils. Over time, the tissues begin to thicken, and the tubercle - to increase in size.

The cause of the appearance of conjunctivitis is considered to be an allergy to accumulated deposits or to a cleansing liquid. Such a disease is rare in cases where there is frequent replacement of lenses.

Signs of capillary conjunctivitis:

• Itching.
• Allocations.
• Irritations.
• Microorganisms.
• Sensation of foreign object in the eye.

To cure a giant capillary conjunctivitis, it is necessary to wear lenses less often, and it is better to stop wearing them altogether. You can try to pick up another version of the lens, from a different material and other shape. In addition, it is worth using drugs that will prevent the development of mast cells. A drop will help to get rid of the pain in the eyes.

If the treatment is carried out correctly, the symptoms of the disease quickly disappear, but the tubercles themselves disappear after a few weeks.

Vascular growths on the cornea

Such consequences of wearing lenses, like the growth of blood vessels on the cornea, can very badly affect the vision of a person. The reason for this is usually the use of soft lenses that do not let the oxygen of the air to the cornea, and it starts to starve.

Microbial keratitis

There are other unpleasant consequences of wearing contact lenses, in particular microbial keratitis. This is the most serious and dangerous complication. This disease can lead to loss of vision.

Despite the fact that the eye itself prevents infection by cleaning its surface for centuries, the cornea is washed away by tears, old cells die, and new ones appear in their place, quite often people who suffer from microbial keratitis occur. Most often these are those who wear lenses continuously for a month or more. During this time on the surface of the eye formed such microorganisms as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are the cause of the disease.

Signs of the disease:

• Burning sensation in the eyes.
• Fear of light.
• Periodically flowing tears.
• There is pus.
• The vision falls sharply.
• Rapid progression.

The consequences of wearing lenses longer than the required time should start to be treated as soon as possible, immediately after the appearance of the first signs.

The reasons for which microbial keratitis may occur:

• Wearing a lens for a very long time without interruption.
• Lens replacement is very rare.
• Diabetes mellitus or eye trauma.
• "Dry eyes".

Acanthamoebic keratitis

This disease can be found quite rarely, but it is most dangerous, because if you do not start treatment in time, you can lose not only your eyesight, but your eyes.

The cause of this disease is acanthamoeba, which lives and easily moves in soil, water, even drinking water. It can appear on the surface of any kind of contact lens.

Therefore, when wearing lenses, do not swim in the pool, in ponds or even in a bath. In addition, do not wash or rinse the lens containers in the tap water.

Corneal ulcer

About the ulcer of the cornea, too, should be told, considering the consequences of wearing lenses longer term and non-compliance with personal hygiene. This disease can also occur if the surface of the eye is damaged.

Corneal ulcer can be in two forms:

• Infectious.
• Sterile.

Infectious form is usually accompanied by severe pain, abundant secretion of pus, often after the disease in the corneal epithelium there is an opening. From the type of microorganisms that live on the surface of the eye, the rapidity of ulcer development depends. Antibiotics here will be the most effective way of treatment.

The sterile method proceeds very gently, without the appearance of an opening in the cornea and without pain syndromes.

Allergy

The negative consequences of wearing a lens can manifest itself in the form of an allergic reaction that has arisen on the material from which the lens itself is made, as well as the components of the solution in which it is processed.

In the latter case, ophthalmologists recommend replacing this solution with one that is made without the use of preservatives.

The deposits that form on the surface of the lens can also cause the eye allergy. In this case, there is often a transition from allergy to conjunctivitis.

If there is an allergy to the material from which the lens is made, it is simply to replace them with a different kind.

The consequences of long wearing lenses can manifest in the form of allergic conjunctivitis. It is accompanied by itching, lacrimation, fear of light, edema and general discomfort. In this case, it is necessary to use antiallergic drugs in the form of drops, which are injected onto the cornea of the eye before the lens is placed in it.

Cracks of the conjunctiva

Several years ago, another negative consequence of wearing lenses was diagnosed - a fissure of the conjunctiva. It can occur if the lenses are made of silicone hydrogel. Cracks mainly occur in places where the contact of the edge of the lens with the conjunctiva occurs. Usually this consequence proceeds without pain and any symptoms. Presumably, the main cause of such a disease is mechanical damage or eye trauma, which often occurs with the constant use of lenses.

Mucin balls

These balls can be found on the inner surface of the contact lens in the form of small circular formations. More often this negative consequence arises at long continuous wearing of lenses from silicone-hydrogel material. Usually it passes without painful sensations and serious consequences, but there are cases when rounded formations are pressed against the cornea of the eye.

Violation of refraction

If the lens is worn for a long time, a refractive error may occur from the silicone-hydrogel material. This occurs in cases where the material is very elastic in comparison with the surface of the eye. When in contact, the lens will compress and compact the cornea at its center. Sometimes things can happen the other way around, which will lead to the formation of myopia.

Staining of the cornea

Lovers of contact lenses may rarely have a corneal staining in the form of an arc. Most often, it appears because of pressing the upper eyelid on the lens. Due to the frictional force, an arc of displacement of the lens on the cornea begins to form.

Endothelial vesicles

Endothelial vesicles are parts of dark color that appear after putting on a lens. The appearance of these vesicles does not indicate a pathology, but may be the cause of hypoxia on this part of the cornea.

Consequences of wearing night-wear lenses

The risk of the emergence of infectious diseases when wearing lenses at night increases, so it's worth resting their eyes from them. If you use special, then these effects occur much less often, but these adaptations are more expensive and do not always justify themselves. It should be remembered that any lenses need to be properly tended and periodically changed.

Sleep in conventional lenses, not intended for night rest, of course, is not recommended. Due to the release of proteins and lipids, a plaque can form on their inner surface, which can damage the cornea.

Conclusion

The most severe consequences of prolonged wearing of contact lenses arise from the late visit to the ophthalmologist.

Therefore, in order to prevent yourself from such unpleasant complications, it is necessary to take care of the lenses properly, not to wear them for a very long time. And if any of the above symptoms occur, it is worth immediately contacting a specialist who can find out the cause and prescribe a course of treatment. Be healthy!