HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Cells In Retina Deteriorating, Very Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses Suffocating Eyes. Can Contacts Cause This?

default
Posted on Mon, 18 Jun 2012
Question: I was recently told by an opthamologist that some of the cells in each of my retinas had deteriorated. Apparently, you are supposed to have 3,000 in each eye and I had about 2,500 per eye. She said the reason for the deterioration was because I have very dry eyes and my contact lenses were in essence "suffocating" my eyes. She said I could no longer wear my contacts. Is this true that my contacts could have caused this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (9 hours later)
Dear,

Thanks for sending your query.

Primarily cells in retina are not affected by contact lenses. The 3000 count may be endothelial cell count, which is at the back of cornea, which is measured by specular microscopy. This count again is not affected by contact lens wear, as contact lenses effect the epithelium only, which is the outermost covering of the eye.

In case I am right about my interpretation, to help the situation you can go for another contact lens with better fitting. Well fitting contact lenses have a very minimal sliding over the cornea with every blink, more so with soft contact lenses.

All good quality contact lenses allow the cornea to breath just to take care of this situation, soft or gas permeable.

Since a doubt has been raised you can have a change of contact lens and there are no medications for this situation.

Please do get back to me in case of any problem. Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. N K Mishra

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :1977

Answered : 1297 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Cells In Retina Deteriorating, Very Dry Eyes, Contact Lenses Suffocating Eyes. Can Contacts Cause This?

Dear,

Thanks for sending your query.

Primarily cells in retina are not affected by contact lenses. The 3000 count may be endothelial cell count, which is at the back of cornea, which is measured by specular microscopy. This count again is not affected by contact lens wear, as contact lenses effect the epithelium only, which is the outermost covering of the eye.

In case I am right about my interpretation, to help the situation you can go for another contact lens with better fitting. Well fitting contact lenses have a very minimal sliding over the cornea with every blink, more so with soft contact lenses.

All good quality contact lenses allow the cornea to breath just to take care of this situation, soft or gas permeable.

Since a doubt has been raised you can have a change of contact lens and there are no medications for this situation.

Please do get back to me in case of any problem. Hope I have answered your query. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Regards,