Is it safe to use contact lenses with a scarred cornea?

March 15, 2015 7:32 AM

I have scarring on my cornea from a herpes attack to the eye 6 years ago. My eye is stable but very sensitive to wind. Is it safe to wear contact lenses to shield the eye? If so, is there a recommended type of lens?
posted by nickji to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

You should be talking to an ophthalmologist. NB: this is not an optometrist. They'll need to do a full exam and will know how to handle your specific situation.
posted by barnone at 7:36 AM on March 15, 2015 [9 favorites]

If your eye is already sensitive, it's probably going to be a "no, not safe." But you really need an ophthalmologist. You don't want to risk further damage with poorly suited lenses.

Have you tried protective eyewear?
posted by zennie at 9:20 AM on March 15, 2015

Go see your ophthalmologist. Do not ask random strangers on the internet. This is your eye we're talking about.
posted by radioamy at 10:07 AM on March 15, 2015

I am not an ophthalmologist, just somebody who wears contact lenses a lot. If your eye is already very sensitive to wind, I think you might find the whole process of putting the contact lenses in and out extremely unpleasant, to say the least.
posted by mochi at 10:17 AM on March 15, 2015

Talk with your doctor about getting moisture chamber sunglasses. See some examples here.
posted by invisible ink at 11:27 AM on March 15, 2015 [1 favorite]

I have scarred corneas (for other reasons) and my optometrist recommends that I do wear contacts. He says they are like bandaids for the eye and will make my eyes more comfortable. However, for me he prescribes only daily disposables, and months of trial yielded only one comfortable brand, which is super expensive: Alcon Dailies.
posted by xo at 1:12 PM on March 15, 2015

Best answer: I have a scarred cornea, among other things wrong with one of my eyes, and I wear a bandage contact lens to make it more comfortable - and I know what you mean by wind! I still keep my eye shut, even with the contact in, when it's windy because it's so uncomfortable.

My bandage lens was prescribed by the contact lens clinic at the eye hospital I go to in the UK, and I have regular follow up appointments with them to check it fits correctly and I don't have an infection, etc.

It took a long time (about a year in total) to find a bandage lens that fit well enough to make my eye more comfortable rather than less.

So it is possible to wear a bandage contact lens, but you should definitely see an ophthalmologist, preferably a cornea specialist, instead of not.

I'm happy to share more info - memail me if you want to chat.
posted by mgrrl at 1:25 PM on March 15, 2015

Oh, also, in the day I wear sunglasses (yes, that's right, in the UK!), regardless of sun or rain. People do stare of course but I (try really hard to) give no fucks.
posted by mgrrl at 1:27 PM on March 15, 2015

You might also ask your eye doctor about scleral gas permeable lenses, which can be helpful for people with irregular corneas, dry eyes, and other problems that can be challenging to address with other types of contact lenses.
posted by skye.dancer at 5:23 PM on March 15, 2015

Nthing everyone who says go to an ophthalmologist. I have scarred corneas from a lengthy and uncomfortable bout of keratitis. I couldn't wear lenses for several months (and interestingly, one of my symptoms was sensitivity to wind. In fact my naked eye was sensitive to air, full stop).

With the OK of my ophthalmologist I can wear lenses again now, but they have to be dailies (Acuvue Moist).

Your ophthalmologist will be best placed to advise you.
posted by andraste at 7:21 PM on March 15, 2015

I have corneal scarring. (Ironically, from an infection caused by soft contacts that led to corneal ulceration.)The only type of eye correction I can use is RGPs (rigid gas permeable lenses) aka hard contacts. As my doctor described it, the surface of my corneas is wavy and pitted, so the hard lens actually helps restore the curve of the cornea so that my eyes can focus the light. They also do help protect my eyes, and my vision is much better than it could be with soft lenses. I can't wear glasses at all, they just distort my vision in a slightly different way, and I'm not a candidate for laser correction because of the scarring. So, yes, with at least some types of corneal scarring, contacts are safe and indeed beneficial.
posted by catatethebird at 7:46 PM on March 15, 2015 [1 favorite]

N'thing opthalmologist. My colleague has scarring caused by an ulcer and then a cold sore on her cornea and still wears contacts for special occasions but I imagine the degree of scarring plays a huge role here. Get a professional to check it out and make some educated recommendations for you.
posted by Peetree at 2:51 PM on March 16, 2015