5 Things to Know About Contact Lens-Associated Red Eye (CLARE)
Anyone who wears contact lenses can develop contact lens-associated red eye (CLARE). This condition is a general term for inflammation and irritation that typically results from overwear or contact lens misuse. Often, this condition results after sleeping with contact lenses. Treatment for CLARE is usually an eye drop that may be an antibiotic, steroid, or a combination of the two. If you suspect that you have developed CLARE, visit your eye doctor for an urgent visit.
Effect of Contact Lenses on the Eyes
Contact lenses have many impacts on the health of the eyes. In an ideal situation, the contact lenses will provide great vision, and good comfort, and have no adverse effect on health.
However, if the contact lenses are misused or overworn, the likelihood of having additional issues is much higher.
When contact lenses deprive the eye of oxygen and tear flow, the eyes are dried out and then become inflamed.
What is Contact Lens Overwear and Misuse?
All contact lenses have a directed way to appropriately wear the lenses. This includes wearing the contact lenses throughout the day, whether the lenses can be slept in, and how often to replace the lenses.
Most contact lenses are directed to be worn for twelve to fourteen hours in a single day.
Nearly all of the lenses on the market today are designed to be worn throughout the day and not slept in overnight.
Contact lenses can be monthly wear lenses, two-week lenses, or daily lenses. These are each designed to be worn only for the designated period.
CLARE Signs and Symptoms
When contact lenses begin to affect eye health, the signs and symptoms of CLARE may begin to present.
Redness around the eye, in the white of the eye, and on the eyelids may be a sign of CLARE.
Irritation of the eyes, blurred vision, or light sensitivity can all be early symptoms of CLARE.
Other potential signs of CLARE can be damage to the front of the eye and poor fitting of the contact lenses.
Treating Contact Lens-Associated Red Eye
The treatment for CLARE will vary slightly depending on the symptoms and the severity of the presentation.
If the primary issue is redness and irritation, a steroid eye drop may be the best treatment to resolve these symptoms.
However, if there are signs of a possible infection or component that is due to bacterial buildup, an antibiotic eye drop is needed.
Most cases of CLARE are not distinctly with or without a bacterial component and instead show some signs of both.
In these cases, a combination eye drop is usually the best option as it contains both a steroid and antibiotic medication in a single drop.
In all cases of CLARE, there is a need to discontinue contact lens wear for some time while the eyes heal.
Long Term Treatment
In the short term, eye drops will resolve the symptoms of CLARE, but the bigger aspect of treatment is preventing additional occurrences in the future.
This can be done by stopping the overnight wear of contacts, replacing the lenses as directed, or switching to a daily disposable contact lens.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today to be evaluated for Contact Lens-Associated Red Eye (CLARE). Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun, provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
Anyone who wears contact lenses can develop contact lens-associated red eye (CLARE). This condition is a general term for inflammation and irritation that typically results from overwear or contact lens misuse. Often, this condition results after sleeping with contact lenses. Treatment for CLARE is usually an eye drop that may be an antibiotic, steroid, or a combination of the two. If you suspect that you have developed CLARE, visit your eye doctor for an urgent visit.
Effect of Contact Lenses on the Eyes
Contact lenses have many impacts on the health of the eyes. In an ideal situation, the contact lenses will provide great vision, and good comfort, and have no adverse effect on health.
However, if the contact lenses are misused or overworn, the likelihood of having additional issues is much higher.
When contact lenses deprive the eye of oxygen and tear flow, the eyes are dried out and then become inflamed.
What is Contact Lens Overwear and Misuse?
All contact lenses have a directed way to appropriately wear the lenses. This includes wearing the contact lenses throughout the day, whether the lenses can be slept in, and how often to replace the lenses.
Most contact lenses are directed to be worn for twelve to fourteen hours in a single day.
Nearly all of the lenses on the market today are designed to be worn throughout the day and not slept in overnight.
Contact lenses can be monthly wear lenses, two-week lenses, or daily lenses. These are each designed to be worn only for the designated period.
CLARE Signs and Symptoms
When contact lenses begin to affect eye health, the signs and symptoms of CLARE may begin to present.
Redness around the eye, in the white of the eye, and on the eyelids may be a sign of CLARE.
Irritation of the eyes, blurred vision, or light sensitivity can all be early symptoms of CLARE.
Other potential signs of CLARE can be damage to the front of the eye and poor fitting of the contact lenses.
Treating Contact Lens-Associated Red Eye
The treatment for CLARE will vary slightly depending on the symptoms and the severity of the presentation.
If the primary issue is redness and irritation, a steroid eye drop may be the best treatment to resolve these symptoms.
However, if there are signs of a possible infection or component that is due to bacterial buildup, an antibiotic eye drop is needed.
Most cases of CLARE are not distinctly with or without a bacterial component and instead show some signs of both.
In these cases, a combination eye drop is usually the best option as it contains both a steroid and antibiotic medication in a single drop.
In all cases of CLARE, there is a need to discontinue contact lens wear for some time while the eyes heal.
Long Term Treatment
In the short term, eye drops will resolve the symptoms of CLARE, but the bigger aspect of treatment is preventing additional occurrences in the future.
This can be done by stopping the overnight wear of contacts, replacing the lenses as directed, or switching to a daily disposable contact lens.