why do my contact lenses cause so much irritation?

Question

I wear the Bausch & Lomb PureVision contact lenses, but I often get terrible irritation (usually in my right eye). It gets so bad that my eye really burns and waters for about 24 hours, at least, and I have to sleep with an ice pack over my eye. It also gets really red.
I wear a toric lens in my right eye. This sometimes also happens with my left but usually with my right.
It didn't happen until the past year.

Answer 1

First step is to see your eye doctor to make sure your eyes are healthy. I don't know what kind of lenses those are, but if they are not dailies, make sure you are cleaning them properly between wearings, and are wearing them according to instructions (i.e. don't wear them overnight if they're not meant for that), and also that your hands are clean when you insert the lenses. I'd switch to glasses if I were you, until the problem gets resolved, you don't want to permanently damage your eye.

Answer 2

Never wear lenses longer than prescribed. Do not wear daily lenses while sleeping.
Do not wear your lenses overnight unless recommended by your contact lens practitioner. Overnight wear of contact lenses increases the risk of complications.
Always wash, rinse, and dry your hands before handling lenses. Avoid pump and moisturising soap and use lint free cotton towels and tissues.
Do not use saliva to wet your lenses. Do not put lenses in your mouth.
Use only approved contact lens solutions for lubricating or wetting your lenses.
Always use fresh solutions in your lens case when disinfecting your lenses.
Ask your contact lens practitioner about wearing lenses during water activities and other sports. In some cases alternative lenses may be prescribed for sport, other hobbies and activities.
Schedule and keep follow-up appointments with your contact lens practitioner.
Never use non-sterile home-prepared saline. The use of home-prepared saline with contact lenses has been associated with serious infections.
Contact lens storage cases can be a source of bacteria and other microbial growth. Lens cases should be cleaned, rinsed, and allowed to air dry each time the lenses are removed. Replace the lens case frequently. Household bleach is an excellent disinfectant for contact lens cases but make sure the case is compatible with this and rinse and dry the case thoroughly.
If your eyes become red, irritated, painful, abnormally light sensitive or if your vision worsens while wearing lenses, immediately remove the lenses and consult a contact lens practitioner.
Do not get lotions, creams, sprays or chemicals in your eyes or on your lenses. It is best to insert lenses before applying make-up and remove them before removing make-up. Water-based and gel-based cosmetics are less likely to damage lenses than oil-based products. Do not apply eyeliner on the inside rim of the eyelids.

Answer 3

I'm not sure, I have irritation every once in a great while, I do want to tell you that Bausch and Lomb had a huge recall not too long ago, because their products were causing eye infections, something you might want to check into.

Answer 4

Your contacts should not cause irriration at all. Ask others that wear contacts. You may be allergic to the solution you are using. You should call your eye doctor and tell them. They don't want you to suffer with irritation and red eyes. It also may be some kind of allergy. Tell your doctor or optomitrist. They will have the answers. Call now.

Answer 5

Right now the pollen count is very high. Depending on where you live that could cause problems with your contacts. Also if you are on any type of medication, antibiotics for example, this could cause your eyes to because red and inflamed. Sometimes I use artificial tears and that helps me. They are relatively inexpensive and they are a temporary fix it.

Answer 6

Have you tried switching contact solution? You may be allergic to a certain brand. Try a sensitive eye type first.

Answer 7

The lenses are probably rubbing up against your cornea and this is damaging your eye big time you should speak to your optometrist asap

I speak from personal experience

Answer 8

either the size is wrong or you are not cleaning it properly use the multipurpose solution ,try to stick with one brand do not use the saline solution. make sure you are replacing them when recommended

Answer 9

allergies!
specifically if you have moved recently;
someone has moved in with you;
you have gotten a pet

so, of course your eyes itch, and you rub them, which only makes it worse!