Many people rely on contact lenses instead of glasses to see clearly, thanks to the enhanced peripheral vision, ability to engage in rigorous exercise, and aesthetic preferences. However, because they sit directly against the eyeballs, they can cause discomfort from time to time. To continue experiencing the benefits of contact lenses while soothing your irritated eyes, use the following three pointers. 

3 Tips for Alleviating Contact Lens Discomfort

1. Try Eyedrops

When you're not wearing your contact lenses, a thin residue of tear fluid covers the front of the cornea. Wearing contact lenses can interrupt this film, leading to “dry eye.” Your eyes might get red, irritated, or even itchy when dealing with this common side effect. Luckily, you can restore the moisture with artificial tears or eye drops, which act as synthetic lubrication for your cornea. However, some lenses and eye drops are incompatible, so you should check with your ophthalmologist before making a purchase.

2. Practice Good Contact Hygiene

Another common reason for discomfort among contact lens wearers is poor or improper hygiene. To avoid getting dirt, dust, oils, and dead skin cells on your contact lenses, it’s crucial to thoroughly wash and dry your hands before inserting or removing your contact lenses. Use an unscented soap, and pay special attention to the fingertips you’ll use to move the lenses. Also, you should always remove your contact lenses before you sleep, bathe, or swim.

3. Switch to a Different Lens

In some cases, you just might not have found the right contact lenses for your eyes. Even when removing and cleaning them nightly, reusable contacts are more prone to germs, bacteria, and allergen buildup, which can irritate the cornea. That’s why many optometrists recommend daily disposable lenses, which you switch out every day. If your eyes aren’t getting enough oxygen behind your contact lenses, switching to silicone hydrogel—a softer, more breathable material—may help. There are also plenty of contact lenses formulated for people who are prone to dry eye.

If you’re hoping to upgrade or adjust your contact lens prescription, head to South Tulsa Optical of Oklahoma. Their friendly staff of optometrists and ophthalmologists will carefully assess your vision and prescribe the lenses that fit you best. They can even fill your prescriptions on the same day, so you don’t have to wait around with discomfort or cloudy vision. To learn more about their services, including LASIK® surgery, visit them online. You can also call (918) 494-0351 to schedule an appointment.