Bandage Contact Lenses
Main takeaways:
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Bandage contact lenses are lenses designed to promote healing and protect the eye.
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These lenses are used to treat various conditions, including corneal abrasions, and to help support healing after eye surgeries.
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Depending on the type of bandage contact lens you're wearing, you may be able to sleep in them.
What is a bandage contact lens for?
Bandage contacts are specialty contacts designed to promote healing and reduce discomfort when someone experiences certain eye injuries or issues. If you're getting pirate vibes, don't worry, matey. Eye bandage contacts aren't actual eye bandages, and you won't be sporting a patch. To most people, it will appear as if you have normal contact lenses on — the bandage lenses are simply designed to provide an optimal environment for your eye to heal.
Conditions bandage contact lenses help treat
Eye bandage contacts help treat conditions such as:
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Corneal abrasions: Small scratches on the eye typically heal on their own, and a bandage contact lens helps reduce pain and promote that natural healing process.
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Corneal perforations or ulcers: Bandage contact lenses help keep special glue in place that's used to repair perforations in the cornea.
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Recurrent corneal erosion: This temporary but irritating condition can last around 24 hours and may recur in some individuals. Having bandage contact lenses on hand can reduce pain during a flare-up.
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Corneal dystrophy: Bandage contact lenses can help treat this condition, which can involve recurrent erosions, scarring, and other eye issues.
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Dry eye: The lack of lubrication that comes with dry eye conditions can lead to small erosions on the eye surface, which bandage contact lenses may help.
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Neurotrophic keratitis: This condition reduces the eye's ability to sense pain and causes potential long-term damage to the cornea. However, bandage contacts may help stave off this process.
Are bandage contact lenses a magical cure-all for everything that ails the eye? No, they're certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution. However, they can be helpful in a variety of cases, so it's worth bringing up this option with your eye care professional if you think you may have an eye injury or issue. Some products you can ask about include:
How long can you wear a bandage contact lens?
How long you can wear bandage contact lenses depends on the type of contact lens and your eye condition. Some soft bandage contact lenses, such as the AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA contact lenses, are designed to be worn continuously for up to 30 nights, but other contact lenses may need to be removed before bedtime.
Your eye care professional can also help you understand how long you should use bandage contact lenses. In some cases, you may simply need to switch to these lenses until a condition such as a corneal scratch clears up. Other conditions may require you to wear the bandage contact lenses for a month or 2. As medical treatments go, bandage contact lenses are simple and easy — no unpleasant medicine to choke down or physical therapy routine to get through. You simply have to pop in the special contacts and let them go to work on your eyes while improving your vision.
Benefits of bandage lenses
Bandage lenses provide benefits such as:
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Providing a protective barrier over the cornea to reduce irritation or other injury as healing occurs
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Reducing pain and irritation associated with corneal injuries and other eye issues, making the healing process easier to deal with
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Creating a moist eye environment that helps promote healing
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Supporting better absorption of medication in any eye drops you may be prescribed
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Alleviating symptoms associated with dry eyes by holding moisture near the cornea
What are the disadvantages of bandage contact lenses?
As with anything, moderation and balance is key. Grabbing for a pair of bandage contact lenses just because your eye feels itchy any given Tuesday isn't balanced. You should start with a conversation with your eye care professional to ensure you understand the issue and how to treat it. Otherwise, you might run into disadvantages of bandage contact lenses, such as:
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The potential for infection if you wear the contacts too long or don't care for them properly
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Increased risks of dry eye for the same reasons
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The potential for complications if you're attempting to treat an issue improperly with these types of lenses
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The possibility of allergies, as some people may have a reaction to bandage contact lenses
Is vision blurry with a bandage contact lens?
Because the primary focus of bandage contact lenses is healing and treatment, they don't always increase visual acuity. In fact, in some cases, they might decrease acuity or cause some blurriness. It's important to talk to your eye care professional about what to expect in your particular case, as the details can vary depending on your reason for wearing bandage contacts.
Best practices and care guidance
Unlike regular contacts, bandage contact lenses are often inserted and removed by an eye care professional. If you plan to take them out yourself, talk to your eye care professional about different precautions you may need to take. Otherwise, follow standard best practices, including:
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Washing your hands well before you handle your lenses
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Using the recommended cleaning solution and process to cleanse your lenses
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Storing your lenses in appropriate cases with enough solution to keep them secure and moist
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Not reusing solution to store lenses
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Replacing contacts as recommended and not wearing them past the expiration date
Did you know you can order contacts online?
Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!
FAQs
If you still think bandage contacts are for pirates, read a bit more below.
Can I sleep with a bandage contact lens?
It depends on what type of lenses you wear and what your eye care professional recommends. If you sleep in bandage contact lenses, you may need to use antibiotic eye drops to reduce infection risks or other types of drops to promote moisture.
Can I shower with a bandage contact lens?
Again, it depends on your case, so bring this concern up to your eye care professional. If you do shower with your bandage contact lenses, do so cautiously and take extra care not to get tap water and soap in your eyes.
Can I drive with a bandage contact lens?
This also depends on your case. In some cases, bandage contact lenses are used to promote healing and provide protection after an eye procedure. These types of lenses may not help you see well, making it unsafe to drive. However, if you're wearing a contact lens that allows you to see well and you can safely operate a motor vehicle, you may be able to drive with your lenses.