Surefire Signs Your Contacts Need Replacement

If you use contact lenses to improve your visual acuity, you know how beneficial they can be. Contacts are a popular choice because they can offer many perks such as ease, comfort, and availability. However, even with all these benefits, the sharpness or clarity of vision can change over time, or you may face other problems. Lenses may not work as effectively as they did before.

To accommodate changes or resolve issues, you'll need to see an optometrist for a thorough assessment and contact replacement. While you may be tempted to use your contacts as long as possible, it is also beneficial to know about the potential dangers of wearing old contact lenses. Read on to learn when it's time to replace your contacts.

You Have Foggy Contacts
Each time you wear contacts, you should get clear vision throughout. Contacts should allow the eyes to see clearly and not cause adverse effects. If your vision appears foggy each time you put them on, something is amiss.

Cloudy or blurry vision is a sign the contacts have a residue buildup or you are no longer using the right prescription. Get fresh contact lenses since you can't resolve either of these issues independently, and the contacts will not perform better over time. Your optometrist can determine the cause of cloudy contacts and replace them.

You Feel Uncomfortable or a Sense of Irritation
Once your optometrist prescribes contact lenses, you shouldn't experience frequent discomfort or irritation once you use them. If you notice any of these problems, check if they are dusty or dirty and clean them with a saline solution.

If irritation doesn't subside afterward, you might need to replace the contacts. They may have a scratch or tear on the lens, causing discomfort. Eye tissue is soft and delicate, so even a microscopic tear or scratch will affect the effectiveness of the contacts.

You Use an Old Contact Brand
Most of the older contact lens brands didn't offer essential features like UV protection. If your current pair of contacts has been in use for a long time, your eyes may not get adequate protection from the sun.

Old contact lens materials also didn't promote an adequate oxygen supply to the eyes. New lens materials have some adjustments that let the cornea breathe while protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays. Make sure you get a new brand to prevent sun damage and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Your Contacts Have Dents
Permanent damages such as bends and dents will harm the eye's delicate tissues and act as a portal where all forms of germs and bacteria can dwell. When these unwanted substances get onto the cornea or other parts of the eye, they will cause significant damage and affect your eyesight. It is always better to replace the dented or bent contacts immediately in order to protect the eyes.

Your Contacts Don't Fit Perfectly on the Eyes
Every time you insert contacts to your eyes, they need to sit flush over your pupils. This will not happen if they are compromised. Constant eye movement causes discomfort and can affect vision capabilities. Get a new pair of contacts if the old ones don't fit perfectly over the pupils. Your optometrist will retest and refit the eyes for better lenses.

If you notice one or more of these signs while using contacts, visit your optometrist to get a new pair. At Calvert Ophthalmology Center, we can replace contacts and share tips to help you keep them in optimum shape. Our goal is to ensure clients are comfortable with the lenses we offer and can see regardless of their eyesight challenges. Contact us today for more details.