Problem With Night Contacts?

Question

I have had them for 3 years now. I noticed when I sleep and if I don't put them on right, I will get headaches the next day. It felt that I didn't have too much sleep but I did. My eyes were somewhat gray and I was so unconsious. Why is the results like this?

Answer 1

I have two thoughts in regard to your question.  

First, if the lenses are indeed 3 years old that is pretty much the problem.  Lenses lose their ability to transmit oxygen in a specific period of time depending upon the specific lens you are wearing.  I know of no lens that can maintain adequate oxygen transmission for this period of time.

Second, if you are wearing your lenses correctly you need to also understand that just because a lens is AUTHORIZED for extended wear it does not mean that they are free of risks nor does it mean that every person can wear them extended wear without problems.  Even a new extended wear contact lens being worn exactly as it should can cause problems.  If a lens becomes too dry during the night (this may be more related to the quality and quantity of tears you produce than the lens itself) it can cause the cornea to become edematous (swollen) which causes the cornea to become cloudy and may cause your vision to look "gray".  The edema can many times cause headaches.  These symptoms are your eyes way of saying HELLO!!!!  I'M HAVING PROBLEMS!!!!!!!  HELP!!!!!!!!  If you continue to wear your lenses in this manner with these symptoms you may very well have more serious consequences than just gray vision and headaches.  I would definitely go in and let your eye doctor look at this and see what might be best for you.

Answer 2

I think you are talking about Ortho K lenses, right ?

Just calling them night lenses will get you all kinds of wrong responses because your question wasn't clear.

Those are dangerous lenses to wear without proper care. It is way past time you go back to the Dr. who prescribed them and have the lenses and your eyes checked again.

Answer 3

I hope you have not had the same pair for 3 yrs. That can be very dangerous to your eye because dirty contacts do allow your eye to breath. I have seen people lose the color of their eye due to carelessness of their contact lenses. You see an eye doctor!!