AboutMitchell Axelrod Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about eye exam findings and procedures, glasses and contact lens types/prescriptions/problems. I can also answer questions about general eye conditions/diseases.
I do not answer questions concerning surgical techniques/procedures.
Please state your age or within a small range when asking questions, as it is often important.
Experience Optometrist 19 yrs.
Education/Credentials Doctor of Optometry, cum laude; Residency in Ocular Disease
Question Hi i am 24 and have been wearing contacts for 12 yrs. now, in the last month my left eye gets very red and sometimes painful when i wear my contacts. I cant even wear them for more than an hr. before this happens. If i take them out it takes about 4 days for the redness to go away before i think i can wear them again.But then it happens all over again. I also thought it just might be time to change them, and this did not help. They are a little dry but not enough to need drops, and any drops that are suppose to relieve red eyes doesn't do anything. My question is should i just leave them out to give my eyes a rest or do you think it might be more serious?
Answer Hi Kerry,
Well since it's obviously contact lens use related, stopping them is safe and smart. It will probably takes several weeks for any problem that felt better after a few days to really fully resolve so that you can restart and try again. It may have something to do with the solutions you've been using, so try a different one when you restart. If you can visit your eye doctor, they may be able to tell better what is going on now so that you have better info and a better change at success once you heal up. If you continue to challenge the eye and push it you may do more serious damage and cause a threatening infection and significant pain.
