Is Red Your Favorite Color?

Photo Credit: Chris Vaughan

Anybody who visits our WebMD Eye & Vision Disorder member community quickly discovers that many online visitors are dealing with red eyes. Some are inflamed, painful red eyes that need emergency attention. Some red eyes are mildly irritated or itchy. Others are red from time-to-time but generate no other symptoms.

I enjoy helping people understand the likely reasons for the redness and offering sensible precautions in order that they protect themselves from serious problems.

The most challenging red eye inquiries involve contact lens wearers:

• My eyes turn red only when wear my contact past 18 hours.


• The redness starts as soon as I insert my contact lenses.


• I removed my contact lens but the redness and pain persisted.


• I have dry eyes but I cannot function without my contact lenses.

Any of these sound familiar to you?

There's good reason to be paranoid about contact lenses. Sometimes the most fastidious (germophobic, soap-loving) person can get into serious trouble (corneal ulcer, for example), and redness is often the earliest clue. I have some powerful advice to share.

Here it comes, and I hope that you are sitting down:

If your eye turns red while wearing a contact lens immediately remove and store the contact lens. Do not reinsert the contact lens until your eye doctor gives permission.

Even if the contact lens is not the cause of the eye's redness, its presence may add to the irritation. This occurs all the time with viral pinkeye.

Now let's say that whatever problem causing the red eye is resolved. When is it appropriate to resume contact lens wear? All too often impatient contact lens wearers jump the gun and end up right back at square one. Once the inflammation/irritation has cleared and the eye turns white give yourself 5-7 days before resuming contact lenses. It would also be wise to begin with an abbreviated wearing schedule: 2-4 hours on the first day and build up from there. If redness recurs, remove the contact lenses and contact your prescribing eye doctor.

If you need to visit the eye doctor for any contact lens-related symptoms always be sure to bring your contact lenses, the carrying case and all lens solutions with you to the clinic. Should infection be suspected, each of these items may be tested for contamination.

Remember, red is universally recognized as a warning, and that applies to your eyes as well.

Related Topics:

• WebMD Video: Contact Lenses That Breathe
• Contact Lens Care

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