Contact Lenses and Your Cornea

Contact lenses are a wonderful, convenient way to see clearly, but because they rest directly on the front surface of your eye, they interact closely with one of the most important structures of the eye. The cornea is the clear, curved dome that focuses light and helps you see sharply. What many people don’t realize is that the cornea has no blood vessels, which means it depends entirely on the oxygen in the air and the moisture from your tear film to stay healthy. When you place a contact lens on your eye, it gently floats on a thin layer of tears, creating a delicate balance between comfort and corneal health. Even though this layer is tiny, it plays a big role in keeping your eye protected.

Because a contact lens sits over the cornea, it naturally reduces the amount of oxygen that can reach it. This becomes a bigger issue if the lens is old, coated with deposits, made of a low-oxygen material, worn for too many hours in a row, or slept in.  When the cornea doesn’t get enough oxygen, something called corneal hypoxia can develop. Hypoxia may cause redness, fluctuating or blurry vision, light sensitivity, or a feeling of pressure around the eye. In more serious cases, the cornea can swell, tiny blood vessels may begin to grow where they don’t belong, and the risk of a corneal infection increases significantly. Infections like bacterial keratitis can progress quickly and may permanently affect vision if not treated right away.

Healthy contact lens habits go a long way in protecting your cornea. Replacing your lenses on schedule keeps them breathable. Choosing high-oxygen materials, such as silicone hydrogel lenses, helps your cornea get the oxygen it needs. Avoiding overnight wear, even in lenses approved for sleeping, gives your cornea a chance to recover and stay clear. Keeping lenses clean, avoiding water exposure, and giving your eyes breaks during long days can make contact lens wear more comfortable and much safer. Simple steps like using preservative-free artificial tears or switching to glasses when your eyes feel irritated help maintain a stable tear film that keeps the cornea smooth and protected.

Your cornea is strong, but it’s also incredibly delicate, and your contact lens habits directly affect its health. By choosing the right lenses, practicing good hygiene, and paying attention to any changes in comfort or vision, you protect your cornea from hypoxia, dryness, and infection. With the right care, contact lenses remain a safe, comfortable, and effective option for clear vision and healthy corneas.

To see what type of contact lens may be right for you, call 2020 EyeMax, our office in Lexington, Kentucky, to book an appointment today.