Contents
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve, which receives signals from the retina, processes them, and transmits them to the visual cortex of the brain. Without treatment, the nerve fibers die, and it will be impossible to restore vision.
The key problem in glaucoma is the accumulation of excess intraocular fluid, which has an obstructed outflow path. Against the background of fluid accumulation, intraocular pressure rises, which leads to clamping of the optic nerve, its gradual destruction. If the process is not stopped, it will lead to blindness, which then cannot be eliminated.
Although optical correction is one of the treatments for glaucoma, it is used only in combination with other therapies. The entire course is individually selected by the doctor, the main goal is to reduce the load on vision, restore its clarity and improve the quality of life. But can contact lenses be used to correct refractive errors?
Can I wear contact lenses for glaucoma?
Correction with glasses is not suitable for all patients. This is due to lifestyle, active sports or profession features. Therefore, lens correction is considered a more convenient option for correcting refractive errors. But a natural question arises, is it permissible to wear contact lenses for glaucoma in order to correct refractive errors?
The answer to this question will be given only by an ophthalmologist, taking into account a number of factors that will be clarified after a detailed and complete examination. In general, wearing contact lenses is not prohibited in the presence of glaucoma, but it is necessary to select such models that will carry oxygen well to the cornea, can provide a sufficient level of moisture and will not disrupt the nutrition of the eye structures.
But often the material of contact lenses does not interact well with some drops for glaucoma, which a doctor can prescribe to correct the pathology. Some solutions for the treatment of glaucoma can affect the transparency of the lens, its physical characteristics, so you can not use drops during the period of wearing products.
If you need to choose optical means of contact correction that will improve vision in glaucoma, but at the same time they will not harm the eyes, you need to contact an ophthalmologist.
Which lenses are best for glaucoma
Due to the increase in intraocular pressure, visual acuity suffers, the size of the visual fields decreases. Basically, problems begin after 40 years, at a young age, pathology is less common. Without treatment, it progresses, and patients with glaucoma see much worse than those who suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness. And accordingly, they need a full-fledged correction of visual disorders. The severity of visual impairment is largely determined by the degree of damage to the optic nerve, since it is it that transmits signals from the retina to the brain.
Contact lenses, if chosen together with a doctor, can solve some of the problems of refraction, improve visual acuity and reduce eye strain. You can use both soft lenses, which are comfortable to wear, and hard, permeable to gases, but an experienced ophthalmologist at the appointment can choose the type of product.
He will determine the severity of refractive error, assess the condition of the eye tissues and select specific models.
What is the difference between lenses for glaucoma and ordinary lenses?
In general, almost all types of lenses are suitable, the products have no features specifically for this pathology. It is only important to determine in advance which of the drugs should be used in the initial stage of the disease. Some of them are incompatible with wearing lenses, can accumulate on their surface, and lead to product intolerance.
In addition, during the period when you need to take drops in a course, it is recommended to remove the lenses so that the drugs fall exactly on the mucous membranes of the eyeball.
Reviews of doctors about lenses for glaucoma
“While wearing lenses,” says ophthalmologist Natalia Bosha, – in patients with glaucoma, 2 main parameters must be observed:
- use only lenses selected by an ophthalmologist (the radius of curvature of the lenses is important – if they sit too tightly on the cornea, the outflow of fluid from the anterior parts of the eye may be disturbed, which aggravates the course of glaucoma),
- drops that are prescribed for glaucoma must be instilled half an hour before putting on the lenses, or after removing the lenses.
Subject to these rules, people with glaucoma successfully use contact lenses.
Popular questions and answers
We discussed with an expert ophthalmologist Natalia Bosha the possibility of wearing lenses for glaucoma, possible contraindications and features of the disease.