What causes cloudy contacts after crying?
Crying is a healthy emotional release, but it can be a nuisance for contact lens wearers. Tears are made up of water, salt, and other substances that can stick to the lenses, blur your vision, and make your contacts cloudy. Contact lens wearers need to be careful and take caution not only when it comes to crying but all the ways contacts can get dirty in general, in order to minimize the risk of developing eye infections and complications.
Contact lens material, type of lens, solution usage, and wearing schedules can also influence contact lens’ performance. Contacts designed for longer wear or disposed of less frequently have increased chances of clouding. The same goes for using a cleaning solution not strong enough to fight off the effects of tears.
Contact Lens Material
The material of contact lens can play a key role in how they react to tears. Hydrophobic toric soft lens material causes the salt ions in tears to accumulate on the surface area of the lenses and form visible white deposits. This material also makes contact lenses hard and stiff. These kinds of contacts are used to correct astigmatism. If a person with astigmatism gets teary-eyed, they may experience their contacts’ clouding a bit more frequently than those who wear spherical contact lenses.
Type of Lens
Extended wear lenses (which are designed to be worn for several days), silicone hydrogel lenses, and even some daily disposable lenses are more prone to develop cloudy spots. It is essential to follow the instructions given by your doctor and change your contacts according to schedule. Daily disposable lenses are one of the easiest ways to avoid cloudy contacts because they are replaced each day, reducing the amount of time they have to collect dirt, grime, and salt deposits.
Solution Type and Usage
Choosing a good lens cleaner is important to reduce clouding during the day. Avoid using your hands to rub the lenses and instead choose a soft cloth designed for lens cleaning or special rubbing tools made for cleaning contacts. Inadequate cleaning or rinsing out the contact lenses in between use can leave them susceptible to create deposits. Make sure to replace your lens case every three months, to clean your contacts case regularly, and dry them out after each use. Avoiding fancy or scented soaps is also important, as they (the soaps) can leave build-up residue on the lenses. Also, choosing a tearaway solution, such as Systane eyes drops, can be helpful, which removes the traces of dirt and grime from the lenses, and start applying your drops before you need to cry or take the contacts out before crying.
It is essential to remember, If your contacts become cloudy, or you are experiencing symptoms like redness and soreness in your eyes, remove them immediately and visit your doctor or healthcare professional. And you can also switch to glasses, which is a great alternative to contacts for those sensitive to tears or heavy wear.
How to remove tears from contacts without damaging them
For contact wearers, crying can be a daunting and uncomfortable experience as it may cause their lenses to become cloudy or even fall out. If you find yourself in a situation where you have cried while wearing your contacts, don’t panic, as there are a few steps you can take to remove the tears without damaging your lenses.
The first thing to do is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to avoid introducing bacteria into your eyes and rubbing any irritants into them. Once your hands are clean, proceed to remove your contacts gently.
You can try to remove the tears on your contact lenses using an appropriate contact lens cleaning solution. If you do not have any cleaning solution, using saline solution is a better alternative than using water or eye drops. Additionally, the solution’s PH level should be balanced to prevent irritation or damage to your lenses.
Place the contact lens in the palm of your hand, then add a few drops of the cleaning solution or saline solution, and use your fingertips to rub the tears gently off the lenses. Avoid using excessive force or scratching, as it may cause irreversible scratches to your lenses and lead to potential eye damage.
If the tears are stubborn and do not come off easily, try soaking the contacts in the recommended solution for a while to hydrate them. The hydration process should help dissolve the tears and make them easier to remove. You should avoid soaking your lenses for extended periods because it may cause an accumulation of bacteria and permanently damage your lenses.
If you are still having trouble removing the tears, try using a fresh pair of contacts with a new solution.
It’s crucial to remember that tears contain salts and proteins that may stick to your lenses and affect your eyes, which can cause discomfort and even a scratch on your cornea. Additionally, if you have allergies or experience frequent or excessive crying, consider carrying an extra pair of contacts, storage case, and a cleaning solution, as it will come in handy and help avoid any inconvenience or damage to your eyes.
Natural remedies to fix cloudy contacts after crying
Crying is a normal human response to various emotions such as sadness, joy, anger, and frustration. However, crying can cause discomfort, redness, and cloudiness on your contact lenses. The cloudiness on your contact lenses makes it difficult to see clearly, and this can be frustrating. You can fix cloudy contacts after crying using natural remedies that are easily available. In this article, we will share with you natural remedies that can help fix cloudy contacts after crying.
1. Blink Rapidly
One of the easiest remedies to fix cloudy contacts after crying is to blink rapidly for a few minutes. Blinking rapidly helps to rehydrate your contact lenses, and this can help clear the cloudiness. Blinking helps to spread the tear fluid over the contact lenses and helps reposition them. Blinking also helps in the production of tears, which keep the contact lenses moist and comfortable. Try blinking frequently when you’re wearing your contact lenses to prevent irritation and cloudiness after crying.
2. Use Eye Drops
Another natural remedy to clear cloudy contacts after crying is to use eye drops.Experts recommend using lubricating eye drops or artificial tears, which help to rehydrate the contact lenses and soothe any irritation. You can easily purchase over-the-counter eye drops from any drugstore or pharmacy. When applying eye drops, remove your contact lenses, apply a few drops of lubricating drops to your eyes, and wait a few minutes before replacing the lenses. Avoid using eye drops that are not recommended by your eye doctor, as this could cause further eye irritation.
3. Apply A Warm Compress
Applying a warm compress to your eyes is another effective natural remedy to help fix cloudy contacts after crying. This method is popular and widely used by most people experiencing similar issues. Dip a clean cloth in warm water and squeeze out excess water. Place the clean, warm cloth over your closed eyes for about five to ten minutes. This helps to stimulate the tear glands, leading to the production ofmore tears, which can lubricate your contact lenses. The warmth from the cloth also helps to relax the eye muscles, which can reduce cloudiness and eye discomfort. Be sure to use clean hot water for the compress and avoid water that is too hot to prevent any injuries to your eyes.
4. Change Your Contacts
If you have tried other natural remedies and your contacts are still cloudy after crying, you might consider changing your contacts. Contact lenses that have been worn for a long time become dry, stiff, and may cause discomfort when worn. Wearing the same contact lenses for an extended period might cause them to become hazy, which can affect your vision. Replacing your contact lenses regularly with new ones is the best way to avoid cloudy contacts after crying. Disposable contacts are a better choice as you replace them frequently and avoid overuse.
Conclusion
In summary, fixing cloudy contacts after crying can be solved using various natural remedies. Blinking rapidly, using eye drops, applying a warm compress, and changing your contacts are some of the best methods for fixing cloudy contacts after crying. It is vital to follow the correct procedure when applying these remedies to avoid further eye irritation. If you have chronic cloudiness of your contacts after crying, it’s essential to visit an eye specialist. The eye specialist will examine your eyes and provide a professional solution to any problem.
Tips for preventing cloudy contacts in the future
Now that you have effectively fixed your cloudy contacts post-crying, it’s time to move on to preventing them from happening again in the future. Here are some simple yet effective tips to follow:
- Bring an extra pair of contact lenses: If you know you’re prone to crying spells, it’s a good idea to always carry an extra pair of contacts with you. Keep them in a clean and dry contact lens case for easy access.
- Use water-resistant makeup: If you wear makeup, look for products that are labeled water-resistant or waterproof. This will help keep any teary residue from smudging your contacts.
- Take frequent breaks: If you need to spend a lot of time in front of a computer or other electronic devices, make sure to take regular breaks. Look away from the screen and blink often to prevent your eyes from drying out and causing irritation.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water throughout the day is crucial for maintaining healthy eyes. Dehydration can cause dryness and irritation, which can lead to foggy lenses.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking is not only harmful to your health, but it can also irritate your eyes and cause them to become dry and red. This can result in cloudy contacts and discomfort.
- Clean your contacts properly: Make sure to follow the cleaning and storing instructions provided by your eye care professional. Avoid using tap water or saliva to clean your lenses, as this can increase your risk of eye infection and irritation.
By following these simple tips, you can reduce your chances of experiencing cloudy contacts caused by crying or other factors. Remember to always take good care of your eyes and consult with your eye doctor regularly.
When to consult an eye doctor about cloudy contacts
After crying, it is not uncommon to experience cloudy or blurry vision, particularly while wearing contact lenses. In most cases, this is temporary and your vision should return to normal after a few minutes when the tears have dried up and your contacts have settled properly on your eyes.
However, if your contacts remain cloudy or blurry for an extended period of time, it could indicate a more serious issue that requires medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is recommended to see an eye doctor as soon as possible:
1. Pain or discomfort in the eyes
If you feel any pain or discomfort in your eyes while wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately and consult your eye doctor. Pain, irritation, and discomfort can also be symptoms of an underlying condition, such as an eye infection, corneal abrasion or dry eye syndrome, which need to be diagnosed and treated by a professional.
2. Persistent cloudiness or blurriness
After crying, if your contacts remain cloudy or blurry for a prolonged period of time, it could indicate a problem with the fit of your contacts, or other eye health issues such as cataract or other eye diseases. It is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible to find out the underlying cause of your cloudy contact lenses.
3. Sensitivity to light
One of the main symptoms of eye problems and cloudy contacts is photophobia, a condition that causes extreme sensitivity to light, making it difficult to keep your eyes open in bright light environments. This issue could be caused by an eye or visual impairment, contact lens problems, or other underlying medical conditions, so it is important to obtain a proper diagnosis so that your eyes can be correctly cared for and treated.
4. Redness or swelling of the eyes
If your eyes are red, painful or swollen, it may be due to inflammation or infection, which can be caused by wearing contact lenses while crying. These symptoms could also be signs of an eye infection or corneal abrasion, which should not be left untreated. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience these symptoms for an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
5. Changes in vision
If you experience any sudden changes to your vision such as seeing spots, halos around lights, double vision, or loss of vision, it could be a sign of a more serious condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal detachment and warrants an immediate consultation with an eye doctor to identify the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
It is important not to ignore ongoing or persistent eye problems and seeking help sooner rather than later is always best. Regular eye check-ups are also important to ensure that any issues can be detected and treated early before they worsen.
