Understanding Glaucoma: A Guide for Contact Lens Wearers

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. It can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated. Many people can still wear contact lenses. However, treatment and eye drops may affect how lenses are worn.

Glaucoma often develops gradually and may cause no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Regular eye examinations are therefore especially important, as they can detect changes before significant vision loss occurs.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged. Increased intraocular pressure is a common risk factor. However, it is not present in every case. Some people develop damage even with normal eye pressure.

The damage caused by glaucoma cannot normally be reversed. Treatment therefore focuses on slowing or preventing further damage, usually by reducing pressure inside the eye.

How Does Glaucoma Affect Vision?

The most common forms of glaucoma tend to develop slowly. Peripheral vision is often affected first, which means a person may not notice a problem during the early stages. As glaucoma progresses, more of the visual field can be lost.

This is one reason routine eye examinations are important. Glaucoma is often discovered during an eye test before the person notices significant changes in vision.

What Are the Main Types of Glaucoma?

There are several types of glaucoma, including:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma: The most common form. It usually develops slowly over many years and often has no obvious early symptoms.
• Angle-closure glaucoma: This occurs when drainage within the eye becomes blocked. In some cases the pressure can rise rapidly and require urgent medical treatment.
• Secondary glaucoma: Glaucoma that develops as a result of another eye condition, injury, medication or other cause.
• Childhood glaucoma: A rare group of glaucomas that occur in babies or children.

What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

Open-angle glaucoma usually does not cause noticeable symptoms during its early stages. Gradual loss of peripheral vision may develop later.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is different and can cause sudden symptoms such as:

• Severe eye pain
• A red eye
• Blurred vision
• Halos or coloured rings around lights
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

Sudden symptoms such as these require urgent medical assessment.

Can You Wear Contact Lenses with Glaucoma?

Many people with glaucoma can wear contact lenses. This applies if the lenses are suitable and a professional agrees. Glaucoma does not automatically prevent lens wear.

The most appropriate lens depends on your prescription, eye surface, tear film, treatment and overall eye health. Glaucoma does not mean that you specifically need toric or multifocal lenses. Those designs are used to correct other vision conditions such as astigmatism and presbyopia.

Continue using your fitted lens model and parameters. Only change them if your optician or ophthalmologist advises a change.

Glaucoma Eye Drops and Contact Lenses

Eye drops are common treatments for glaucoma. They reduce eye pressure by reducing fluid production. They may also help fluid drain more effectively.

The timing of glaucoma medication is important for lens wearers. Remove your lenses before applying eye drops. Usually, wait 15 minutes before putting lenses back in. Always follow your medication instructions first.

Some drops containing preservatives may cause dryness or irritation. This can make contact lenses feel less comfortable. Discuss this with your ophthalmologist. Do not stop your prescribed medication yourself.

Can Glaucoma Cause Dry Eyes?

Dry eye and glaucoma can occur together, particularly in people using long-term glaucoma medication. Symptoms may include burning, grittiness, redness, fluctuating vision or reduced contact lens comfort.

Your professional may recommend changes to medication or lens types. They may change your wearing time based on symptoms. Lubricating drops may help. Not all drops are suitable for use with lenses.

You can explore our eye care products. Always use prescribed medication according to professional instructions.

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of glaucoma. The aim is generally to lower pressure inside the eye and reduce the risk of further optic nerve damage.

Common treatments include:

• Prescription eye drops: Used regularly to lower eye pressure.
• Laser treatment: Used in some types of glaucoma to improve fluid drainage or otherwise reduce eye pressure.
• Surgery: May be recommended when other treatments do not control the condition sufficiently or are not suitable.

Regular appointments are important. They check eye pressure and the optic nerve. This helps determine if treatment is working.

What About Contact Lenses After Glaucoma Surgery?

After laser treatment or glaucoma surgery, you may need to stop wearing contact lenses temporarily while the eye heals. The exact period depends on the procedure and your individual recovery.

Do not restart lens wear after eye surgery. Wait until your ophthalmologist confirms it is appropriate.

Glaucoma and Contact Lenses: What to Remember

Glaucoma does not necessarily mean that you have to stop wearing contact lenses. Many people can continue to use them successfully, but glaucoma treatment and eye drops may affect your contact lens routine.

Follow your treatment carefully and attend regular exams. Ask your professional how to coordinate medication with lenses. Explore our range of contact lenses. Continue using the model recommended for your eyes.