Contacts - Big Change in Prescription

[Suzi53]

I went for a routine eye exam in order to get new contacts.  There was a big change in one eye from 1 year ago, from a 5.0 to a 3 something, with an increase in the astigmatism.  The doctor seemed concerned & I am to go back in a week.  I have been sleeping in my contacts (Oasys) for over a year, but I have to admit I was not taking them out as often as I should & leaving them in longer than 2 weeks.

Could this cause a change in my lens strength needs?  Why only one eye?  Are there other problems that can cause a big change so quickly like this?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Suzi53]

Thank you so much ...

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your improper wearing of contacts can damage your eye and could cause abnormal shifts in your contact prescriptions. Main mechanism is warping the cornea.  Sometimes this can be permanent. I would suggest you stop wearing contacts for a couple of months to see if your cornea will return to a normal shape.

JCH III MD