contacts and blood vessels

I just got back from the eye doctor; I had scheduled an appointment because I had noticed my eyes getting slightly blurry and thought I would need a new perscription for my contacts.

I did get a new perscription, but apparently I have been wearing my contacts way too much which has had a negative effect. Because my eyes have not been able to get enough oxygen, little blood vessels have grown on my eyes to get more oxygen. The "doctor" that was working with me at the clinic that I went to was very rude and scary. Basically she yelled at me for wearing my contacts so much and said that if I keep on this track, I will be blind soon. I was so upset with the way she was telling me all this, that I didn't feel comfortable asking her about it. I have tried to research a bit online about the issue and have only found statements saying "wearing contacts too long is bad" and "sleeping in contacts is really bad".

My question is, is there anyway to reverse this? Now that I know, if I wear glasses more and take my contacts out will that help reduce these vessels? Or are they permanent? My perscription is really high as well, so will this ever get better either? Or am I pretty much screwed? I just want a bit of information more than just extending wearing of contacts is bad for your eyes. Is there some way I can fix my mistake?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You can absolutely make this better by staying out of the contacts for some time and if you need to eventually get back into contacts you might be able to wear one that allows more oxygen to get to the cornea.  Get a good second opinion from an ophthalmologist, right away - and hopefully they will be more kind.  Sorry about the rude behavior.

Michael Kutryb