When buying contact lenses on-line it is important to remember the implications this can have on your ocular health. Often contact lens related eye problems can go unnoticed and sometimes have no symptoms at all.
Remember if your eyes ever go red or sore you should remove our lenses immediately. If the symptoms don't recede very quickly you should consult an eyecare professional straight away.
Some common reactions that need professional help are as follows:
Contact Lens Acute Red Eye (CLARE) is an inflammatory reaction of the cornea and conjunctiva, which is characterised by a small, focal and diffuse peripheral corneal infiltration. Often there is no symptoms prior to eye closure but patients are often awoken from sleep by symptoms or soon after waking. The symptoms are irritation to moderate pain, redness,tearing and photophobia (light sensitivity).
Contact Lens Induced Peripheral Ulcer (CLPU) is another inflammatory reaction of the cornea which is characterised by a lesion in the corneal epithelium (surface cells) and infiltration of the anterior stroma (the middle of the cornea). The symptoms range from none to severe to moderate pain, irritation or foreign body sensation. Also there will usually be redness and tearing.
Contact Lens Papillary Conjunctivitis(CLPC) is a mechanical / inflammatory reaction of the upper eyelid characterised by localised papillae and hyperaemia (a cobblestone appearance) with fine mucous strands on the cornea. Symptoms are itching, lens awareness, increased mucous and intermittant blurring. The lens will also not appear to be fitting very well due to pressure from the papillae.
Superior Epithelial Arcuate Lesions (SEALS) is a mechanical injury to the corneal cells, which is characterised by an arc-like lesion at the superior corneal periphery. Symptoms range from none to foreign body sensation or lens edge awareness.
Infiltrative Keratitis is an inflammatory reaction of the cornea, which has symptoms of mild to moderate irritation, redness and occasional discharge.
There are many other contact lens related conditions and if you have any doubt see your eyecare professional immediately. Also despite the convenience of online ordering you must continue to see your optician for your routine scheduled aftercare visits.
Remember prevention is better than cure.
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