Contents
The nasopharynx is closely connected with the eyes through the nasolacrimal canal. Therefore, with a runny nose and a cold, the infection can pass to the mucous membrane of the eye. To prevent complications, it is recommended to stop wearing lenses for a while.
Can I wear contact lenses when I have a cold?
Many people who use contact correction for a long time may sometimes neglect the rules of care and are not as pedantic and scrupulous about the care of products and their wearing schedule. But during a runny nose, especially an infectious one, this fact can play a cruel joke on a person, provoking unpleasant consequences and even serious eye complications.
Against the background of a cold, the production of tear fluid may decrease, which leads to a decrease in eye moisture. As a result, the infection enters the eye more easily and spreads.
Dirty hands, which previously wiped the nose or covered the mouth when sneezing and coughing, can easily infect the eyes by simply rubbing them. The mucus that flies out of the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing can get on the mucous membrane of the eye, provoking inflammation of the conjunctiva. An increase in temperature during a cold dries the mucous membrane of the eye, making it more sensitive to inflammation. If the mucous membranes dry out, wearing lenses can cause irritation and itching, redness of the eyes. In addition, some cold remedies adversely affect the mucous membranes, so lens discomfort may increase.
Which lenses are better to choose for a cold
If it is simply impossible for a person to refuse contact lenses for the duration of a runny nose, which occurs without fever and other unpleasant manifestations, wearing glasses is extremely difficult, only one-day lenses that do not require care and disinfection can be used. They have a high degree of hydration, permeability to oxygen, which allows you to give the necessary comfort to the eyes throughout the day.
If daily disposable lenses are not available, an additional disinfectant in addition to the standard solution will be required to wear elective replacement lenses. And when putting on and taking off lenses, you must strictly observe all the rules of hygiene. To prevent dry eyes and inflammation, you need to use moisturizing drops selected by your doctor. If vasoconstrictor sprays or nasal drops are used, they can adversely affect the condition of the eyes.
If the lenses cause even slight discomfort during a runny nose, you should immediately remove them and switch to wearing glasses. If symptoms persist even after removing the lenses, you should consult an ophthalmologist.
What is the difference between lenses with a cold and ordinary
If due to circumstances, even with a runny nose, it is not possible to switch to glasses or do without lenses, and your eyes tolerate wearing them well, you should use only one-day lenses. They are hydrophilic, pass oxygen well and do not require care and processing, therefore, with mild symptoms, some patients wear them.
Doctors recommend wearing them for the minimum possible time, no more than 10-12 hours a day, and at the first opportunity, when you can do without lenses, remove them and replace them with glasses.
Reviews of doctors about lenses for a cold
– With a runny nose of an infectious nature, the risk of infection of the eyes when using contact lenses increases significantly, – reminds ophthalmologist Natalia Bosha. – Therefore, for the sake of eye health, it is necessary to avoid wearing lenses these days. In extreme cases, short-term wearing of disposable lenses is allowed. Planned replacement lenses cannot be used, the lenses and the container in which they were stored must be immediately replaced with new ones. You can wear planned replacement lenses only after recovery.
Popular questions and answers
We discussed with ophthalmologist Natalia Bosha the question of the admissibility of wearing lenses with a cold, as well as possible contraindications and complications from wearing lenses with an illness.