Contact Lense Overuse

[ColbyG]

My names Colby, I'm 19 and in college.I have Acuvue Oasis contact lenses and I wore them for a period of two weeks and I slept in them during that time. My eyes started hurting a recent friday, and i took the contacts out and let my eyes rest for two days during the weekend. On monday, I wore my contacts again, and they were fine for a few hours but they started hurting again so I took them out and have been wearing my glasses since then. Upon further inspection of my eyes while looking in the mirror I noticed that i have blood vessels growing in the whites of my eyes and I think I caused this by wearing my contacts to long and I think my eyes haven't been getting enough oxygen. Also I have noticed my eyes have been sensitive to light even though I'm wearing my glasses. Could I have caused permanent damage to my eyes? I'm also worried that I may not be able wear contacts anymore. Will the veins or blood vessels in the whites of my eyes go away over time if I just wear glasses? If I wear my glasses long enough would it be possible for me to wear contacts again?

[ColbyG]

Thanks for replying to my post

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

In the last two years my office (we have 8) alone has had two eyes go completely blind from contact lens abuse/misuse and perhaps 50 with some permanent damage from same.

JCH MD

[kivrin]

Talk to your eye doctor! Overwearing contacts can cause serious problems! (I know from experience!). I doubt that you had done permanent damage wearing them for 2 weeks, but I don't know that for sure! Wear your glasses until you see your eye doctor.

If he/she tells you can go back to your contacts, follow proper care! Take them out and clean (if necessary) every night. Don't wear them overnight, even if they are extended wear ones! Be smart with your eyes, you only have the 2! Also, replace them when needed and recommended!