Contact lenses are a great alternative to glasses, providing freedom of movement, a wider field of peripheral vision, and a natural look. They are the preferred choice for millions of people worldwide for daily wear, sports, and special occasions. However, to remain comfortable and safe for your vision, they require proper care and attention.
In everyday life, many users make small mistakes or encounter unexpected situations that can damage lenses or lead to discomfort and infections. Knowing these problems helps prevent them in a timely manner, extends the lifespan of your lenses, and protects your eye health.
1. Tearing the Lens with Long Nails
One of the most common physical issues for female contact lens wearers is accidental tearing. The culprits are most often long nails or nail decorations. A manicure changes how your fingers interact with the delicate surface of the lens.
How it happens:
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Catching with the nail: When inserting or removing the lens, using the tip of the finger or the nail instead of the soft pad can easily pinch or puncture it.
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Excessive pressure: Focusing on force rather than gentle movement causes the soft material to rip.
Solution and prevention:
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Use the pads of your fingers rather than the tips or nails.
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Keep your nails at a moderate length, especially on the index finger and thumb used for handling lenses.
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When removing, slide the lens down onto the white part of the eye (the sclera) before gently pinching it with the soft part of your fingers.
2. Tearing When Closing the Case (Edge Pinching)
This is a classic mishap that every long-term wearer has experienced at least once, leading to the unpleasant surprise of opening the case the next day to find a damaged lens.
How it happens:
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Improper positioning: The lens is not placed entirely at the bottom of the case well, leaving its edge caught on the screw threads.
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Fast screwing: When closing, the cap catches and presses part of the lens against the plastic, slicing or flattening it beyond repair.
Solution and prevention:
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Always check that the lens is fully submerged in solution and centered in the well before closing.
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Screw the cap on slowly and carefully, watching for resistance. If you feel minor catching, stop, unscrew, and check the lens position.
3. Lens Drying Out Due to Missing Solution
Forgetting lenses outside the case or leaving them without solution is a major cause of lens destruction.
How it happens:
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Soft contact lenses contain water content. When the liquid evaporates completely, the material dehydrates, becomes paper-dry, brittle, and shrinks.
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Attempting to place a dried and hardened lens directly into the eye can cause serious corneal scratching, severe pain, and infection.
Solution and prevention:
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If you find a slightly dried lens, do not try to force it open immediately, as it will break. Place it in a case with fresh solution for a few hours to regain its elasticity.
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If the structure is compromised or shows signs of permanent deformation, discard the lens.
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Always carry a small bottle of solution and a spare case if you travel or spend the night away from home.
4. Dropping and Peripheral Bending
During daily handling, a lens can easily be dropped onto the sink, table, or floor.
How it happens:
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Upon dropping, the lens can pick up microscopic dust particles or hair.
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Frequently, the lens edge folds inward and sticks to itself upon impact or incorrect cleaning.
Solution and prevention:
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If you drop a lens, never put it straight into your eye. Rinse it thoroughly with dedicated lens solution (never tap water).
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If the edge has folded, place the lens on your palm, add a few drops of solution, and gently massage it with your finger until it straightens. If the material is permanently deformed or torn along the edge, replace it with a new one.
5. Surface Deposits
Over time, even with good hygiene, proteins, lipids from tears, makeup residues, hand creams, or dust can accumulate on the lens surface.
How it happens:
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Insufficient rubbing of the lens during cleaning with solution (palm rubbing is a mandatory step).
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Applying cosmetics or creams before putting on lenses, causing micro-particles to get onto the optics.
Solution and prevention:
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Always wash and dry your hands with a lint-free towel before handling lenses.
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Follow the rule: put lenses on first, then apply makeup. When removing: take lenses out first, then remove makeup.
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Perform mechanical cleaning (rubbing with fingers on your palm) every time you take off your lenses.
6. Transfer of Makeup and Chemicals to the Eye
Contact lenses act like a sponge that can absorb environmental substances.
How it happens:
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Using waterproof mascara or eyeliner very close to the eyelid margin can cause particles to get behind the lens.
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Perfumes, hairspray, and aerosol deodorants sprayed near open eyes can deposit on the plastic and cause burning and allergic reactions.
Solution and prevention:
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Use cosmetics labeled as hypoallergenic and suitable for contact lens wearers.
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Apply hairspray or perfume before inserting lenses or with eyes closed, waiting for chemicals to evaporate.
7. Sleeping in Lenses (Corneal Hypoxia)
One of the riskiest habits among users is falling asleep with contact lenses in, unless they are specifically designed for extended wear.
How it happens:
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The cornea has no blood vessels of its own and receives oxygen directly from the air. When eyelids are closed and a lens covers the cornea, oxygen flow drops drastically.
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This leads to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), corneal swelling, redness, and a perfect environment for bacterial infections and ulcers.
Solution and prevention:
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Always remove your lenses before going to bed, no matter how tired you are.
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If you instinctively fall asleep with them, do not remove them with a sharp movement in the morning – drop preservative-free lubricating drops, wait for the lenses to move slightly, and then remove them.
8. Using Tap Water for Cleaning or Storage
This is a severe mistake that can have serious consequences for eye health.
How it happens:
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Tap water is not sterile and contains microorganisms, including the dangerous amoebic pathogen Acanthamoeba.
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When a lens comes into contact with tap water, these microorganisms can stick to its surface and cause severe keratitis – an infection that can permanently damage vision.
Solution and prevention:
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Never rinse lenses or the case with tap water, mineral water, or homemade saline.
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Use only specialized multipurpose solutions or hydrogen peroxide-based systems, following your eye specialist's instructions.
Wearing contact lenses brings incredible convenience, but building proper habits is the key to preserving your eye health. Regular hygiene, careful handling regarding nails and case caps, and avoiding risky situations like contact with tap water or sleeping with lenses will save you numerous headaches and ensure crystal-clear vision every day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How can I save a lens that has started to dry out?
If a lens is slightly dehydrated, place it carefully in a clean case with fresh solution for at least 4 to 6 hours. Do not try to force it open while dry, as it will break. If you notice cracks or a deformed edge after full rehydration, the lens must be discarded.
2. What should I do if I drop my lens on the floor?
Never put a dropped lens straight into your eye. Pick it up carefully, place it on your palm, and rinse it thoroughly with multipurpose contact lens solution. Never use tap water or saliva for cleaning.
3. Can I sleep with my soft contact lenses in?
No, unless your eye care specialist has explicitly prescribed lenses approved for extended wear. Sleeping with standard soft lenses restricts oxygen flow to the cornea, leading to hypoxia, severe redness, and a high risk of dangerous bacterial infections.
4. Why do I keep tearing my lenses with my manicure?
Long nails change the point of contact between your fingers and the lens. Using the tip of the nail or the nail bed instead of the soft finger pad can easily pinch or puncture the lens. Keep your nails at a moderate length and always slide the lens toward the white part of the eye when removing it.
