7 Signs You Need New Contact Lenses

One thing that most people forget is that contact lenses expire. Nearly half of contact wearers are not sure when they are supposed to get a fresh pair of contact lenses.

Replacing your contact lenses on time is important in keeping your eyes healthy and strong. But with so many contact lenses on the market, it can be hard to know when to change your contact lenses. Here are signs that it may be time to get a new pair of contact lenses.

The Contact Lenses Have Expired

Perhaps the main sign that you need new contact lenses is that your current contacts have expired. By no means should you continue to use contact lenses that are past their expiration date.

Manufacturers have designed contact lenses to work for a certain period and not longer than that. Continuing to wear contact lenses long after they have expired can put your eyes at risk of infections.

Blurry or Fuzzy Lenses

Contact lenses should be clear and easy to see through. Blurry lenses signal the presence of bacteria. Clean your lenses with a sterile contact solution before wearing them.

Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning to ensure that you are doing it right. If the lenses do not clear up even after rinsing them, it may be time to discard them and get new contact lenses.

Constant Eye Irritation

If your eyes experience discomfort whenever you wear contact lenses, something is not right. It is easy for dust particles and dirt to stick to your contact lenses. That is why it is necessary to keep them clean.

Apart from replacing your contact lenses and the liquid you store them in overnight, ensure that you change your contact lens case every three months.

Scratches, Rips, or Tears

Scratches, rips, or tears on any part of the contact lens are signs that you should replace your contacts. Even if small, rips and tears on your contact lenses can scratch your cornea. Moreover, germs can pass through the scratches and infect your eyes. Check your contact lenses to make sure their surfaces are even and smooth.

No Sun Protection

Do your contact lenses protect your eyes against harmful ultraviolet (UV) light? Examine your contact lenses to check that they provide enough sun protection. Without UV protection, you are at risk for macular degeneration, cataracts, and corneal damage.

The Contact Lenses Have Dents

If your contact lenses are bending out of shape, you may need new ones. Contact lenses should always have a perfect outline at all angles. If they are bent or uneven at every angle, they are not working right.

Your Eyes Feel Dry

Contact lenses can make your eyes dry or worsen your dry eye symptoms. While you can correct this problem by using lubricating eye drops, the eye drops may not always work. Sometimes, the lenses may be the problem. Some contact lens materials are more likely to cause dry eyes than other materials. If your lenses are the problem, you may need to replace them.

For more on contact lenses or to schedule an appointment, call Ocean Park Optometry at (310) 452-1039 to reach our office in Santa Monica, California.