Can prolonged contact lens wear lead to glaucoma?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 50-year-old woman who has been using contact lenses for many years. During a recent routine eye check-up, my optometrist mentioned the possibility of me developing glaucoma due to my age and prolonged contact lens use. Please elaborate on the potential link between contact lens wear and glaucoma. I am worried about how this might affect my vision and eye health. What are the particular risk factors related to long-term contact lens usage that might increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma? Kindly guide.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I suggest contact lenses can offer a convenient alternative if you prefer not to wear glasses. Concerns about conditions like dry eye may raise questions about compatibility with contact lens use, prompting inquiries into whether glaucoma (a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain) could pose similar challenges.

Fortunately, contact lenses are typically compatible with glaucoma. However, glaucoma encompasses a range of eye diseases linked by optic nerve damage, and certain circumstances may affect contact lens wear.

Symptoms of glaucoma include severe forehead or eye discomfort, eye redness, blurry vision, halos in vision, nausea, and headaches. For most glaucoma cases, contact lens wear is not an issue. Nonetheless, regular eye check-ups are crucial for monitoring eye health post-diagnosis.

A potential concern arises if you have undergone a trabeculectomy (a surgical procedure for treating glaucoma by creating a small flap in the eye's tissue to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent optic nerve damage). Though the surgical pocket is often discreetly positioned under the upper eyelid, it can impact contact lens fitting and comfort.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.