Are your eyes looking bloodshot or feeling irritated after using contacts?
This can be worrying, especially if you’re new to contacts. It can also be troubling if you suddenly start experiencing redness from your regular contacts.
It can leave you wondering, why do my eyes get red with contacts?
Redness is one of the most common issues contact lens users run into. In many cases, it’s temporary and mild. In others, it’s something that needs to be addressed.
To do that, you need to know what’s causing the redness and what steps to take to stop it from happening again.
When Redness Catches You Off-Guard
Sometimes, redness shows up even if you’ve used contacts in the past with no issues. One Redditor experienced red eyes after using daily contacts for the first time. But a couple of years prior, she’d used biweekly contacts from the same brand and had no problems with redness.
The OP, named Turbulent-Travel7013, made a post on Reddit asking for advice:
“Hey! I’d be grateful for your opinion. I put on my lenses for the first day, wore them for 7 hours, and I’m scheduled to see an ophthalmologist again in a week. After inserting them, my eyes turned red like that, I’m very worried what it could be. One-day lenses. Until this year, two years ago, I wore two-week lenses of the same brand, I don’t remember this.”
Other Redditors jumped in to explain what may have been happening.
One Redditor wrote that it may have just been an issue with that specific contact lens. They suggested trying another lens from the pack. Another Redditor said that the solution the contact was in could have irritated the OP’s eyes.
Turbulent-Travel7013 also shared a photo of the contacts she had been using, which were the ACUVUE Oasys 1-Day for Astigmatism. So, does this mean that everyone should avoid this particular brand or specific product?
The short answer is “no.” We don’t know exactly what caused this Redditor to experience redness after using contacts, but her experience doesn’t mean the product itself is the issue. Some people can indeed be sensitive to certain lenses, but others can use the same product and have no problems.
When a person changes the type of lens they use, their wear habits, or returns to contacts after taking a prolonged break (like the Redditor did), it can result in redness regardless of the specific lenses they use.
Why Do My Eyes Get Red With Contacts?
There isn’t a single cause for redness. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons contact lenses can lead to redness.
Dry eyes
Dry eyes are one of the biggest causes of redness. Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eyes, where they interact with your tear film. This is the thin layer of moisture that keeps your eyes hydrated and lubricated.
Sometimes, contact lenses can disrupt the tear film. Some people also naturally produce fewer tears, which can increase the risk of dryness when wearing contacts. This is especially true if you’re in an air-conditioned environment or spend a long time looking at screens.
Lens fit or adjustment period
If you experience redness when you first try contacts, or you try them again after a long break from contacts, this might just mean your eyes are adjusting.
Even if the prescription is correct, it can take time for your eyes to get used to having an artificial lens sitting on your cornea. During this adjustment period, mild redness is not unusual.
Additionally, if the fit of the lens is not quite right, it may move around too much or not sit evenly on the eye. This can also result in irritation and redness.
Wearing contacts for too long
In the case of the Redditor we discussed above, she wore her daily contacts for seven hours. While this is not necessarily a long time to wear dailies (most can be worn up to 16 hours), it can be a bit much for beginners.
Eye care professionals usually recommend gradually building up the wear time of contacts. Wearing lenses longer than your eyes are used to can lead to dryness, eye fatigue, and redness.
Debris or protein buildup
Both daily and reusable contacts are susceptible to debris and protein buildup. However, it’s more likely to happen with reusable contacts simply because they sit on the eyes for longer.
Small particles such as dust or debris can become trapped under the lens, which will irritate the eye and result in redness almost immediately. Natural protein deposits from your tears can also build up behind the lens, leading to similar results.
If you’re using reusable contacts, you can rinse them with contact solution and try reinserting them. If you’re wearing daily contacts, it’s best to just throw them away and replace them with a fresh pair.
Sensitivity to the lens material
Different contact lenses use different materials and moisture technology. If your eyes react to a certain material, you may experience some irritation along with redness. Some people find certain brands are more comfortable than others.
When Redness Means You Need to Take a Break
Mild redness that fades upon removing your contacts is usually not a big concern. But you should watch for:
- Persistent redness that does not go away
- Pain or sharp discomfort
- Light sensitivity
- Very watery eyes or discharge
If you experience any of these symptoms, switch over to your glasses immediately and consult your eye care professional.
Tips to Prevent Redness When Wearing Contacts
A few small adjustments can make a world of difference to your comfort when wearing contacts, as well as help prevent redness:
- Start off with short wear times and build upon them gradually.
- Keep your lenses clean and handle them with care.
- Use rewetting drops if your eyes feel dry.
- Switch to glasses in very dry environments.
- Never wear lenses for longer than recommended by both the manufacturer and your eye care professional.
- If redness or irritation persists, discuss switching to a different brand and/or model with your eye doctor.
If something doesn’t feel right about your contacts, it’s always best to remove them. Switch to your glasses for the rest of the day gives your eyes a break.
TL;DR
- Red eyes from contacts are usually a result of dryness, irritation, or adjusting to new lenses.
- A change to your lenses, wear habits, or returning to contacts after a break in use can result in redness.
- Wearing lenses for longer than your eyes are used to can lead to irritation and redness.
- Debris, protein buildup, or the material of the lens can also cause redness.
- Remove your lenses if something feels off and give your eyes a break.
- See an eye care professional if the redness is persistent or painful.
