Yes, I did sleep.

December 18, 2008 8:09 AM

When I wear contact lenses, I get bags under my eyes within about fifteen minutes. I wear toric lenses, if that matters. Is there anything I can do about this, or should I continue to stick to glasses?
posted by Pants! to health & fitness (9 comments total)

I had similar things happen. My eyes also got very red when wearing my Torics. The only solution for me was to go back to glasses.
posted by proj at 8:21 AM on December 18, 2008

What type of lenses do you wear? I wore 3-month disposables for a long time, but a new doctor switched me to 2-week disposables a few years ago, and I definitely noticed a difference in wearability and comfort. The 2-week disposables are much thinner and allow your eyes to breathe better.

I would talk to your eye doctor and make sure everything fits correctly or if you should try a different brand. The bags could also be caused by some sort of surfactant they use in processing the lenses that you are allergic/sensitive to, so switching brands may also help with that. I have a toric in one eye, and I use the Acuvue 2-week disposables and I've liked them for the most part.
posted by sararah at 8:32 AM on December 18, 2008

I use one month disposables, but maybe two-week is the way to go.
posted by Pants! at 9:58 AM on December 18, 2008

How gently are you putting them in? If I am in a hurry and put my contacts in quickly, I have a tendency to be too rough with the skin under my eyes and make them puffy.
posted by Benjy at 10:03 AM on December 18, 2008

sararah is right - don't give up on contacts because of a problem with one brand or line of lenses.

I once ran into a problem with the composition of a specific kind of lens -- my eyes would get itchy, swollen and puffy. Switching back to my regular brand fixed that.

Tell your eye doctor what's up and ask to try a different lens.
posted by Tubes at 11:23 AM on December 18, 2008

Maybe it is caused by the brand of cleaner/disinfectant or saline you use?
posted by socrateaser at 12:34 PM on December 18, 2008

Yeah, if you are using anything but Aquify, switch to Aquify and see if that doesn't solve the problem.
posted by kindall at 1:06 PM on December 18, 2008

Also? If you are using a "no-rub" cleaner, it lies. You do have to rub. And use a protein remover.
posted by kindall at 1:07 PM on December 18, 2008

Make sure you are washing your hands very well before inserting the lenses, and make sure the soap isn't leaving a residue. I recommend a glycerin based soap with no anti-bacterial mumbo-jumbo or any moisturizing components. I have burning and discomfort when I use anything else...
posted by gjc at 5:30 PM on December 18, 2008