Wearing contact lenses offers convenience and freedom from glasses, but it also requires regular eye care to keep your eyes healthy. Annual eye exams are crucial for everyone but especially important for contact lens wearers. Here’s why:
What Does Our Burnsville Family Eye Care Doctor Check For?
When you visit your eye doctor for an annual exam, the doctor evaluates several important aspects of your eye health and contact lens use.
Visual Acuity and Prescription Update: Your vision can change over time. The doctor will check your visual acuity and update your prescription if needed. An outdated prescription can lead to eye strain, headaches, and discomfort.
Contact Lens Fit: Ill-fitting contact lenses can cause discomfort and damage your eyes. The doctor will ensure that your lenses fit properly and make adjustments if necessary. This can prevent issues like lens-induced dryness and irritation.
Corneal Health: Contact lenses rest directly on the cornea. Over time, improper lens care or poor fit can lead to corneal problems such as scratches, ulcers, or infections. The doctor will examine your corneas to ensure they remain healthy.
Detection of Eye Diseases: Regular eye exams can help detect early signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. These conditions can develop without noticeable symptoms, making regular check-ups essential.
Oxygen Supply to the Cornea: Contact lenses can sometimes restrict the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea, especially if worn for extended periods. The doctor will assess if your eyes are getting sufficient oxygen, which is vital for corneal health.
Risk Factors Associated with Contact Lenses
Proper care and regular eye exams can mitigate many risks of wearing contact lenses.
Infections: Contact lenses can increase the risk of eye infections like keratitis. This can occur from improper lens cleaning, overwearing lenses, or contamination. Regular exams help doctors catch any signs of infection early.
Dry Eye Syndrome: Contacts can exacerbate dry eye syndrome, leading to discomfort and potential damage to the ocular surface. The doctor can recommend solutions such as special lubricating drops or changes in lens type.
Allergic Reactions: Some people develop allergies to the solutions used to clean contact lenses. An eye exam can help identify such reactions, allowing for changes to hypoallergenic products if necessary.
Corneal Neovascularization: This condition involves the growth of new blood vessels into the cornea due to oxygen deprivation. It can occur if lenses are worn for too long or if the fit is too tight. Regular check-ups can catch this early and prevent further complications.
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC): GPC is an inflammatory reaction on the inner eyelid caused by protein deposits on lenses or an allergic reaction. Symptoms include itching, redness, and mucous discharge. Annual exams can detect GPC early and prevent it from worsening.
Proper Contact Lens Care in Burnsville
To minimize risks and ensure your eyes remain healthy, it’s essential to follow these contact lens care tips:
Wash Hands Thoroughly: Always wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses to prevent transferring dirt and bacteria.
Use the Right Solution: Use only the recommended contact lens solutions and avoid using water or saliva to clean lenses.
Follow the Wearing Schedule: Adhere to the prescribed wearing schedule for your lenses, whether daily, bi-weekly, or monthly disposables.
Replace Lens Cases Regularly: Change your lens case every three months to prevent bacterial contamination.
Avoid Sleeping in Lenses: Unless specifically designed for overnight wear, do not sleep in your contact lenses, as this increases the risk of infection.
Annual eye exams are vital for contact lens wearers to ensure proper vision, comfort, and overall eye health. By regularly visiting your eye doctor, you can catch and address potential issues early, adjust your prescription as needed, and receive guidance on proper lens care. Prioritize your eye health by scheduling your annual eye exam at Burnsville Family Eye Care today and enjoy clear, comfortable vision with peace of mind from professional care.
