Contact lenses, because they sit right on the surface of the eyeballs, can cause a lot of eye conditions and infections if not taken of properly. However, even with the most meticulous care, red eye contact lenses are possible—with the area of the eyes around the contact lens turning an alarming red. The corneas sometimes swell when the contact lenses are uncomfortable, and will often cause temporary redness and irritation. Sometimes red eye contact lenses are also caused by dryness—which can mean a lot of things. There are instances when the problem is the person’s eye condition—there are people who have perpetually dry eyes and can be caused by a lot of things. There are also instances when the contact lenses are the problem—they do not have enough moisture, they do not allow for oxygen permeation, they need to be refreshed with a couple of drops of re-wetting solution, or the user has been wearing the contact lenses for more than the recommended duration.
Sometimes, red eye contact lenses are accompanied by excessive watering or dryness, as well as itchiness. These symptoms are extremely uncomfortable and distracting, especially with most people relying heavily on their sight to go through their daily lives. Also, red eye contact lenses can be a symptom of a worse eye condition. When the itchiness, swelling, or excessive watering is not alleviated by eye drops specially formulated for red eye contact lenses, make sure that you consult with your eye doctor. An eye doctor will be able to diagnose if there are other conditions or a possible infection that should be treated immediately. The doctor will often recommend that you stop wearing contact lenses for a while, or even permanently, depending on the gravity of the condition afflicting your eyes.