Contact lenses are designed to be an excellent alternative to traditional eyeglasses. But while these lenses can be extremely effective, for some people contact lenses can be uncomfortable. How can you stop that burning sensation when you have your contacts in?
It helps to regularly clean your contacts, but make sure you’re never using out-of-date lenses, cases, or cleaning solutions. Wash your hands before and after handling the lenses. Take a break without lenses to let your eyes recover from any irritation. And if you still notice burning sensations after doing this, visit your optometrist for a contact lens fitting and exam—this way, you can get an up-to-date pair of lenses and professional advice for avoiding these uncomfortable sensations in the future.
Why Do Contacts Irritate Eyes?
The human eye is a complex organ, but it’s also extremely sensitive. Whenever a foreign object is in the eye—like a contact lens—it can often lead to irritation and discomfort. If you have any other conditions that are already irritating the area, a contact lens could make them worse.
The technology behind contact lenses has come a long way. Now, with all the different types of contact lenses available, that burning feeling in the eye is often caused by something else. Common causes include:
- Poor eye hygiene
- Dirty contact lenses
- Poorly-fitting contacts
- Dry eye disease
- Allergic reactions
Poor Eye Hygiene
Remember: your eyes are extremely sensitive. When bacteria and other contaminants affect the eye, it can irritate and inflame the area. It’s important to practice proper eye hygiene by:
- Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your contacts
- Cleaning your contact lenses regularly with the recommended solution, and never with water or saliva
- Replacing your contact lens case as recommended by your eye care provider
- Avoiding touching your eyes throughout the day
By taking these steps, you can lower the risk of accidentally transmitting bacteria and other irritants to your eye.
Dirty Contact Lenses
To do their job without irritating your eye, your contact lenses need to be clean. A dirty lens can increase the odds of experiencing irritation and can lead to infections in the eye if you aren’t careful. Following a strict cleaning routine can play a big part in keeping your contacts safe and comfortable.
Poorly-Fitting Contacts
Your eyes are unique, and contact lenses aren’t a one-size-fits-all answer to vision problems. You need a pair that’s designed to properly fit in your eye and provide you with the right prescription.
If you wear a poorly-fitting contact lens, it can cause discomfort, friction, irritation, and may even put strain on your eyes. It’s essential to regularly visit your optometrist for contact lens exams and regular eye exams to make sure your lenses fit properly.
Dry Eye Disease
If you’ve often felt that burning, stinging, gritty sensation on the surface of your eye—even when you aren’t wearing contacts—it may be dry eye disease. This is an extremely common eye condition that develops when there’s a problem with your tear production, leaving the eye exposed and vulnerable.
This condition often leads to burning, irritating sensations, and can also cause:
- Redness and inflammation of the eyes
- A feeling as if there is something in your eye, like sand or grit
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
Fortunately, your optometrist may be able to help with dry eye therapy. If you have burning feelings in your eye even when you aren’t wearing your contacts, visit your optometrist to find relief.
How to Make Your Contact Lenses More Comfortable
Contact lenses are designed to be a convenient alternative to eyeglasses. When you feel that burning discomfort every time you put them in, it can be hard to get excited to wear your contacts. Fortunately, you can take a few steps to try and make the lenses more comfortable.
Try to:
- Wash your hands before and after handling your contacts
- Use eye drops when needed to find temporary relief
- Never use out-of-date cases, cleaning solution, or lenses
- Avoid sleeping with your lenses still in
- Regularly visit your optometrist to get up-to-date advice on caring for your contacts
Don’t forget to clean your contacts as recommended! It’s a critical part of taking care of your eyes and avoiding those burning sensations.
Tips for Properly Caring for Your Contacts
Properly caring for your contacts is one of the most important things you can do—especially if they constantly burn your eyes. If you rarely clean your lenses, you’re increasing your risk of harming your eyes! Dirty lenses can transmit bacteria and other contaminants to your eye if you aren’t careful, so try to follow these steps to properly care for your contacts:
- Wash your hands with a mild soap and rinse them thoroughly before—and after—touching your contact lenses
- Use the recommended contact cleaning solution to clean and thoroughly disinfect the lenses. Try to avoid using water or saliva to clean the lenses, as this can introduce harmful bacteria to your lens, case, and eyes.
- Store the contacts in a clean case with a fresh disinfecting solution. Replace this solution after each use to avoid bacterial build-up.
These simple steps help to keep your contacts clean and can lower the risk of harming your eyes.
What to Do if Your Contacts Are Burning Your Eyes
If you notice a burning sensation whenever you wear your contacts, come visit our team here at Crum Optometric Group. Our team can perform a comprehensive contact lens fitting to find out what’s causing your problem, and we’ll work closely with you to find a solution. You deserve clear and comfortable vision, so book an appointment with our team today!
