What You Need to Know Before Wearing Contact Lenses
Wearing Contact Lenses can transform your daily life: no more glasses, no more restricted field of vision, and newfound freedom. But before putting anything on your eyes, it's essential to understand a little bit about their anatomy. Why? Because each Contact Lens interacts directly with certain very delicate ocular structures.
In this article, discover how your eye works, which parts are affected by contact lens wear, and what you absolutely need to know to care for it.
The Cornea: The Gateway
The cornea is a transparent membrane, without blood vessels, that covers the front of the eye. It acts like a natural lens by refracting (or bending) light towards the retina. It provides about two-thirds of the eye's optical power.
📌 Why is this important for Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses rest directly on the cornea. Any abnormality (dryness, deformation, scarring) can make wearing Contact Lenses uncomfortable or even dangerous.
The Tear Film: A Delicate Balance
The tear film is a thin layer of liquid composed of three layers: lipid, aqueous, and mucin. It lubricates the eye, nourishes the cornea, and protects it from infection.
📌 The Impact of Contact Lenses
Prolonged wear of Contact lenses can unbalance the tear film, causing a sensation of dryness, burning, or a foreign body sensation.
💡 Tip: Choose preservative-free moisturizing drops and ask your ophthalmologist if your eyes are compatible with daily disposable lenses, which are often better tolerated.
The conjunctiva and sclera: areas susceptible to irritation
The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the white part of the eye (the sclera) and the inside of the eyelids. It is sensitive to mechanical or allergic irritation.
📌 Beware of infections
Improperly cleaned or contaminated Contact lenses can lead to conjunctivitis, an inflammation common among careless wearers.
👉 Always wash your hands, wear them for the specified length of time, and never sleep in lenses not intended for this purpose.
The Iris and Pupil: Light Regulators
The iris gives the eye its color and controls the size of the pupil, which adjusts the amount of light entering the eye. A Contact lens must be centered on the pupil for clear vision.
📌 What about night vision?
In the dark, the pupil dilates. An ill-fitting Contact Lens can then create light halos or annoying reflections, especially in people with myopia.
💡 Remember to tell your optician if you often drive at night.
The retina and the optic nerve: not directly affected, but crucial
Even if the retina (where images are formed) or the optic nerve (which transmits visual signals to the brain). Any improper use of lenses can indirectly harm these structures in cases of severe infection or poorly treated keratitis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear contact lenses with dry eyes?
Yes, but with caution. Choose special Contact Lenses for dry eyes and use artificial tears.
Does it hurt to wear Contact Lenses?
No, a properly fitted Contact Lens is almost painless. If you experience discomfort, this is a warning signal.
Can you sleep with contact lenses?
Only if they are contact lenses designed for this purpose (extended wear lenses).
What you need to remember:
> Your eyes are complex and fragile organs.
> Each Contact Lens interacts with several parts of the eye, including the cornea, tear film, and conjunctiva.
> good hygiene, a professional fitting, and careful listening to your sensations are essential for safe lens wear.