During treatment for infectious pink eye (conjunctivitis), you'll be advised to temporarily stop wearing your contact lenses. Anonymous. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to chloramphenicol or to any other eye product. When it gets infected and inflamed, these blood vessels get bigger. If this happens, immediately close your eyes and carefully step out of the shower until you can remove the lenses correctly. Contact lenses are very safe. If you have chronic dry eyes, it could be possible to still wear contacts. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. You don't have to press down too hard. If you use extended wear contacts, which are lenses you can wear overnight, you may be able to keep your contacts in for up to seven days. American Optometric Association. Now we've arrived at the question we need an answer to: can you wear contacts when you have pink eye? If your contacts have a longer replacement schedule, then you need to remove and thoroughly disinfect them. To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. The following are the most common pink eye symptoms: Pinkness/redness in the affected eye (s) Itchiness. https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/contact-lenses/dos-and-donts. When swimming, wear swim goggles to protect yourself from bacteria and other microorganisms in the water that can cause conjunctivitis. If you wear rigid lenses, the CDC recommends soaking them for at least 10 minutes in hydrogen peroxide to make sure the virus is destroyed. Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child, Mayo Clinic Minute: What parents need to know about pink eye. If you wear disposable contacts, use a new pair when your eye has cleared and it is safe to wear contacts again. If you wear disposable contacts, discard your current pair. “People think they have a little benign pink eye, get some drops, and things are kind of quiet for a couple of weeks — then lo and behold, their eyes turn red again,” she says. Conjunctivitis. They're also called corneal ulcers. You may get ointment meant for your skin in one of your eyes. Viral and bacterial pink eye are both highly contagious. Well, generally speaking, you can wear contact lenses and reading glasses at the same time. DON'T use the same contacts. For all other contacts, cleanse thoroughly following manufacturer's instructions. Eye crust. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. If your symptoms don't start to get better within 12 to 24 hours, make an appointment with your eye doctor to make sure you don't have a more serious eye infection related to contact lens use.   now you know the answer: No, you shouldn’t. Bacteria and viruses are good swimmers. You may have conjunctivitis if you experience any of the following symptoms: Itchiness; Redness; Sensitivity to light; Swelling of your eyelids . Dry eye drops are made to lubricate the eye, not the contact lens. You can use warm water if that feels better. Pink eye is contagious and can spread from one eye to the other. If you have dry eyes, talk to your doctor about what drops are best for you. It's OK to start wearing your contacts again once you've completed your antibiotics, your eye is no longer pink and you've completed recommended follow-up with your provider. Wear glasses, not contacts, until all symptoms go away. Many contact lens wearers use rewetting drops to make their contacts feel more comfortable. See a doctor if you're experiencing pain, you notice a lot of mucus, your vision becomes blurry or … Over-use of certain types of contact lenses, such as extended-wear lenses, or improperly cleaning contact lenses can also cause this condition. Relevance. Contact lenses and water don't mix, eye doctors warn. 2. She's worn contacts since she was 14, then four years ago she began suffering eye infections every few months. If your eye feels dry, lubricating eye drops should be applied after the lenses have been removed. It's still hard on my eyes to handle wind and sunlight. If you had the infection whilst wearing monthly or a 2-weekly contact lens, you will need to discard the lens and lens case, as these will be contaminated, and no longer fit for use. You want to avoid reinfection at all costs! In any case, pink eye is a risk to your eye health and that of those around you. But pink eye is an uncomfortable and unfortunate thing to experience nevertheless. Still, wearing contact lenses can damage your eyes if you wear them too long, fail to clean them properly or do not replace them as directed by your eye doctor. Be sure to check out our article that explains how to best clean your contact lenses. Accessed April 14, 2020. If you are someone who sleeps with contacts on, you are more likely to develop this condition. If the doctor gave you antibiotic ointment or eyedrops, use them as directed. Whatever caused your pink eye (a virus, bacteria, or allergen), may have transferred to your lenses. This mobility is how infections can spread through pool water and eventually to you. Break out the old glasses and be prepared to get through your infection. It can also lead to extensive eye damage if left untreated. If a medication is needed for dry eye, you will likely be advised to follow the 15-minute rule. The truth is that your eyes can't really heal if you keep putting the contacts in. Most over-the-counter eye drops are divided into three categories: drops for dry eye, drops for redness, and drops for contact lens re-wetting. The duration of these symptoms depends on the underlying cause. Some offices now have an "AdenoDetector." If there are traces of the bacteria on someone's body or clothes and they get in the pool, that's good enough. Top tips. If your lenses aren't disposable, disinfect them overnight and consult with your doctor if they can be used again or thrown away. And wearing contact lenses increases the risks. For a bacterial pink eye, you will likely need antibiotics. ... Sleeping in your lenses can also give you a bad case of pink eye (or conjunctivitis). Clean your contacts and storage case. Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with Tobradex unless otherwise directed by your doctor. When your eye is infected and inflamed, it is more sensitive to damage. It’s best to forgo them and favor glasses until your eyes get better. This can temporarily or permanently cloud your contact lenses. I know the headaches are miserable, but I would wait a few days. 3 Answers. What do nearsightedness, farsightedness, or going blind look like? Some forms of pink eye aren’t serious. If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye doctor's instructions for lens care and replacement, and use contact lens solutions properly or consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses. And contact lenses are applied directly in your eyes, and they can touch your eye ball directly. Pink eye is the common name for the eye condition called "conjunctivitis.". People who wear contact lenses have a higher risk for keratitis, an infection of the cornea, the clear outer covering of your eye. Do you ever fall asleep while wearing your contact lenses? Lens manufacturers have developed soft contacts that are designed to reduce dry eye discomfort. For most people, wearing contact lenses in the shower is something that happens by accident, rather than intentionally neglecting to remove them. It's OK to start wearing your contacts again once you've completed your antibiotics, your eye is no longer pink and you've completed recommended follow-up with your provider. Viral conjunctivitis: This arises from viruses (like the common cold) and is very contagious. The allergic form of the condition requires that you stop exposure to the irritants. After treatment is complete, your doctor will likely recommend that you throw out contacts you've worn if your lenses are disposable. It can also soothe some of the irritation and itching you might be feeling. Yes, you can get pink eye from swimming in the pool. These are usually labelled as lubricating eye drops or artificial tears. Feeling of grit or sand in the eye. Over-the-counter eye drops can help soothe some of your symptoms. I am certain your ophthalmologist can answer this question specifically for your needs and situation. This can cause great discomfort and even tearing of the lens. Symptoms start clearing within 24 hours of starting an antibiotic regimen. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. A woman who went swimming in contacts contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection of the cornea. Before you can understand if pink eye and contacts go together, you need to know more about pink eye itself. Replace your contacts with a new pair, and I would say you should wait at least a week after the redness goes away (just to make sure there isn't any more bacteria left in your eye for it to happen again), but you should probably ask your doctor. Accidents happen. Swollen eyelids. There is more than one type of pink eye, and how you treat it depends on the type. Bacterial conjunctivitis: This is caused by a bacterial infection and is quite contagious. If you keep on doing so, you may get blind because of the damage at the cornea. As we know that contact lenses is make of special materials, such as some plastics. Irritation. Nondisposable lenses should be disinfected overnight. RE: What happens if I just ignore my pinkeye? These include itchiness (more so in the allergic version), any discharge, and a pink or reddish appearance of the white conjunctiva of your eye. If there are traces of the bacteria on someone's body or clothes and they get in the pool, that's good enough. The world is a scary place for me until I put my glasses on or contacts … June 28, 2020. Boil water and then let it cool down before you: gently rub your eyelashes to clean off crusts; hold a cold flannel on your eyes for a few minutes to cool them down; Do not wear contact lenses until your eyes … If you wear contact lenses, the only safe way to open your eyes in the water is by wearing waterproof goggles. However, some contact wearers can’t tolerate extended wear contacts for the maximum number of days. After applying the medication, wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Conjunctivitis (aka pink eye) is when this membrane becomes infected and inflamed. Your contacts case should also be discarded or disinfected. Spraying hair products with your contacts in could trap airborne particles against your eye. Tearing/watering. An antibiotic ointment is good for bacterial pink eye, but it won't help a viral form of pink eye. There are things you can do to help ease your symptoms. Pink eye is usually caused by a virus, says Stein, and tends to clear up in a week or two without treatment. The following are the most common pink eye symptoms: You may have a few or all of these symptoms in one or both eyes. The dreaded pink eye. You don't need to touch feces or an infected person. It also prevents irritation due to friction between your eyelid and your eyeball. If you put the contact lenses backwards inside your eyes, your eyes may feel not comfortable, What is worse, your eyes may get watery with no control. Contact lenses and water don't mix, eye doctors warn. Conjunctivitis. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying ciprofloxacin ophthalmic. Accessed April 14, 2020. Dry eye symptoms often increase as the day goes on. Pink eye has a few different treatments. Wearing contacts with pink eye can slow down the treatment process and increase the risk of transmission. You may need to throw away your contact lens case, because bacteria or viruses may be living in it. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Yes, you can get pink eye from swimming in the pool. Depending on the lenses, up to 30 days of continuous wear may even be possible. Pink eye can show up when you least expect it, and it is very contagious. When swimming, wear swim goggles to protect yourself from bacteria and other microorganisms in the water that can cause conjunctivitis. Photophobia (light sensitivity) Nothing will happen to your vision by wearing her prescription other than it will be blurry while you wear them. Can I wear my right contact lens in my left eye? If an allergen caused your pink eye, that allergen could still be on your clothes, pillowcases, sheets, and towels. Keep these things in mind as you try these treatment methods: Try soaking a cloth or a soft towel in cool water and placing this over your infected eyes. Certain eye drops can be used with contact lenses. Contacts come in a few general forms. Get 10% OFF with StudentBeans! Contact Concern . This happened to me. You should correct it and wear the contact lenses in the right way which is so important for your eyes. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic . "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This can happen if you come into contact with an infectious substance and then touch your eyes. If you have pink eye, don’t panic. Throw away any eye makeup you were using when you got pink eye. As long as you do not rub your eyes with your hands and wear contact lenses during this special period, your pink eye will heal on its own. Bacteria, viruses, or allergies can cause pink eye. Blurred vision. You register light differently. Allergic pink eye symptoms resolve once there’s no exposure to the irritants. For example, pink eye is a symptom of chlamydia. Viral conjunctivitis can take several weeks to clear and it might not be wise to wear contact lenses for your run. Ask your doctor if you should discard and replace your contact lens accessories, such as your current lens case. Contacts are built to handle a certain amount of normal tears, but crying can throw this off-kilter. If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye doctor's instructions for lens care and replacement, and use contact lens solutions properly or consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses. If you notice any soreness or redness following the incident, get in touch with your optometrist as soon as possible. This happens because of the extra tears. You don't need to touch feces or an infected person. Allergic conjunctivitis: This type is caused by irritants like dust, pollen and animal dander. At the same time, your eyes may get red because of friction. You can help to prevent pink eye by keeping your contacts clean. You need to understand why you shouldn't wear contacts when you have pink eye. Symptoms usually last between 7-14 days for a viral pink eye. The conjunctiva is a thin membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the white part of your eye (the sclera). American Optometric Association. If you keep wearing your contacts, this can prolong your pink eye through reinfection. Daily disposable contacts are typically soft, flexible ones you should only wear once before tossing, the FDA explains. If you wear hair spray, make sure you apply it to your hair before you insert your contact lenses. The FDA advises against wearing contact lenses without the protection of goggles in any type of water, including the shower, ocean, lakes or pools due to the increased risk of sustaining a bacterial infection. If you regularly wear contacts and are used to them, you'll be totally fine handling colored lenses. Are you a student? The treatment effectiveness will depend on how you contracted pink eye in the first place. Pink eye is very contagious and contact lenses should not be worn if this is present so the infection does not linger and can resolve quicker. They'll reduce the redness, itching, and irritation by keeping your eyes moist and lubricated. The question that many of them have is, can I wear contact lenses while I have dry eyes or pink eye? You can also infect others. Read on to learn about these different kinds of drops and how to use them. How to use chloramphenicol eye drops. Do's and don'ts. I would defiantly NOT, because your eyes are infected and if you use your makeup like eye liner and Masai it will be contaminated with your vireos and after you don't have pink eye you will get it again because the vireos is on the stuff. 4. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Wash everything you come in contact with to prevent yourself from getting irritated or reinfected. If you accidentally fall asleep with your contact lenses in your eyes, be sure to remove them as soon as possible when you wake up. Bacterial conjunctivitis usually responds to topical antibiotic eye drops quickly and you likely could wear the contact lenses for your run. Keep in mind that whether pink eye is caused by a virus or bacteria, it can spread if someone touches that sticky or runny discharge from the eyes, or touches objects contaminated by the discharge. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Hello–I hope you can help me–I know I have worn my contacts way too long–they are extended wear and I rinsed them daily(or every other)–but I have been out of work for awhile and simply did(do) not have the money to replace them and my glasses got broke awhile ago-I used to wear my glasses for a week between my monthly contacts to give my eyes a break-what my concern is-is when … Learn more about pink eye in newborns. I have astigmatism in my left eye but ran out of contacts. With allergic conjunctivitis, allergens can get trapped underneath your lens. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. so just take you mediation and soon you will be better in no time. Green or white eye discharge. Pink, crusty eyes are a sign of infection. They last the same amount of time as regular contacts, too. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Thus, if you have an eye infection such as pink eye, your best bet is to avoid contact lenses while using prescribed eye drops. Whilst using your eyedrop or ointment it is advisable to keep the tip of the bottle away from your eye … After treatment is complete, your doctor will likely recommend that you throw out contacts you've worn if your lenses are … When someone has dry eyes, they are having issues with tear production. Pink eye is a specific term for a viral infection of the conjunctiva. The causes of pink eye include bacterial infection, a viral infection, or an allergic reaction. meanwhile you can still ware eye shadow. Favourite answer. It usually affects those with allergies on a seasonal (summer flowers) or situational basis (a dusty home or furry pets). However, some eye drops should not be used with contact lenses. On the other hand, reading glasses can heavier than contacts. If you wear contact lenses, you should go without them until your pinkeye clears up. If you experience any of the above symptoms of conjunctivitis you should stop wearing your contact lenses immediately. Medicated eye drops are rarely intended for use with contact lenses. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. If you wear contact lenses, they may feel very uncomfortable, like they don’t fit the way they normally do. Simply call your ophthalmologist to let them know and follow their instructions for care. If this happens, flush your eye with water right away. So if you're wearing monthly or weekly contact lenses, you'll need to get rid of them. Your eyes may become red, and they might feel scratchy. Sign up for our newsletter and you'll be the first to know about exclusive deals, updates and more! MORE: Contact Lenses Fill Your Eyes With Bacteria. I constantly have dry eyes, and have to carry around eye drops everywhere I go. Apply makeup after putting in your contact lenses to avoid accidentally touching … Either way, one of your first questions might be "Can I wear contacts with pink eye?" Remove the cap from the bottle (or the tip of the unit if you are using a single-use unit). A contact lens can soak up every tear you have, not allowing for lubrication of your eye or the lens. So what's the answer? Yes, I wear contacts now, but I wear toric ones due to the damaged shape of my eye -- contacts you have to align, and if you get it wrong (which is very easy to do), you go the entire day with blurry vision. 118-6741 Cariboo Rd BURNABY, V3N 4A3 British Columbia, Canada, After you've taken your full course of antibiotics, There is no redness/pinkness in your eye(s), You haven't experienced any pink eye symptoms for 24 hours. Not all eye drops are created equal, and if you wear contacts, it’s important to know which are safe for your lenses and which are not. But seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or persist. These factors can make it difficult or uncomfortable for older adults to wear … Pink eye is very common and it usually is not serious and goes away in seven to ten days even if you do not take care of it. Soothe your symptoms with the treatments we mentioned. There are things you can do to help ease your symptoms. Wash your hands before using eye medication. All rights reserved. Contact lenses risks: Wearing contact lenses puts you at risk of several serious conditions including eye infections and corneal ulcers. The big concern in wearing contact lenses while experiencing dry eyes is the possibility of scratching your cornea due to the heightened sensitivity of the area. This could be a sign that you might need antibiotics to treat your pink eye. 1 decade ago. Pink Eye or Conjunctivitis. That being said, you should never … Although the conjunctiva is transparent, it contains blood vessels. Boil water and then let it cool down before you: gently rub your eyelashes to clean off crusts; hold a cold flannel on your eyes for a few minutes to cool them down; Do not wear contact lenses until your eyes … A woman who went swimming in contacts contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection of the cornea. See these views and take an eye test in this slideshow from WebMD's medical editors. Ask your doctor if contact lenses can be reinserted after application of the medication. You may notice that your eye doesn't look great, or a doctor may diagnose you with pink eye. Otherwise, it will aggravate and do harm to your eyes. This content does not have an Arabic version. During treatment for infectious pink eye (conjunctivitis), you'll be advised to temporarily stop wearing your contact lenses. In cases of bacterial pink eye, you'll need to take a course of antibiotics to rid yourself of the infection. https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/conjunctivitis?sso=y. But it tends to clear up by itself within a few days without medical intervention. If you have a viral pink eye, then treatments that alleviate common cold symptoms may be effective. if you wear contact lenses, you should go without them until your pinkeye clears up. So, do not wear contacts overnight for the sake of your eyes. You may need to throw away your contact lens case, because bacteria or viruses may be living in it. A doctor can prescribe antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eye drops to clear up the condition. Mayo Clinic. It is best to give your eyes a break from the contacts, and wear glasses for the day if possible. If you wear contacts and are diagnosed with either viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, you should throw away the disposable lenses that you were wearing and the lens case. If you wear contacts and have an eye infection, you need to immediately remove your contacts and give your eyes a chance to heal. These lenses are made with materials that retain more moisture or allow more oxygen to reach the eyes. Don't forget to double-check the expiration date on your lens disinfection solution to be sure it's not expired. FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, New Year Special -  40% off – Mayo Clinic Diet Online, Pink eye treatment What if I wear contact lenses, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Answer Save. Accessed April 14, 2020. Wearing contacts with pink eye can slow down the treatment process and increase the risk of transmission. The inflammation is what leads to the reddish-pink look that the condition gets its name from. If you are subject to seasonal allergies, you may experience pink eye during times of the year when pollen and other allergens fill the air. This content does not have an English version. What About Cleaning My Contacts? You should not wear contact lenses if you experience any of the typical symptoms of conjunctivitis. Jacobs DS. People who wear contact lenses need to stop wearing their contacts as soon as pink eye symptoms begin. If you had the infection whilst wearing monthly or a 2-weekly contact lens, you will need to discard the lens and lens case, as these will be contaminated, and no longer fit for use. Use clean cotton wool (1 piece for each eye). You’re more likely to get pink eye if you: Come in contact with someone else who has pink eye; Recently had a respiratory infection, like a cough or a cold; Wear contact lenses; Come in contact with something you’re allergic to ; Newborn babies are also at higher risk for pink eye — and it can be very serious. Do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup until the pink eye is gone. Pink eye is a common eye condition that causes painful, red, and itchy eyes. Softing Hataye AL (expert opinion). This can prevent you from getting a repeat infection. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Many people refer to a red eye as "pink eye," when in fact it may not be a viral infection. An unsightly condition that causes a lot of itching, redness and excessive tearing. If you wear contacts and are diagnosed with either viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, you should throw away the disposable lenses that you were wearing and the lens case. Wash your hands before you use the drops. If you get pink eye, your eye doctor will most likely tell you to stop wearing your contact lenses until the infection is gone. If you wear contacts when you have pink eye, you could scratch your cornea and make your symptoms worse. Many of these drops contain oils or are fairly thick. Most doctors recommend waiting to wear contacts again until: Please remember to discard or disinfect the contacts you were wearing when you got pink eye. As well, check that your lens solution is not expired, as it needs to be effective in disinfecting your contacts. It can also occur if you get sick and then the infection spreads to your eyes. What causes pink eye? A new pair when your eye health and that of those around you 'll be totally fine handling lenses. Contacts contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection of the lens a longer replacement schedule, then treatments that alleviate cold... © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for medical Education and Research ( MFMER ) bacterial infection and is quite contagious dry,. And proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission the FDA explains Guide to Raising a Child! Of those around you Conditions including eye infections every few months otherwise, it aggravate. Depending on the lenses have been removed have a longer replacement schedule, four. Usually last between 7-14 days for a viral pink eye, but crying can throw this off-kilter right away in! Down the treatment effectiveness will depend on how you treat it depends on the.... Fill your eyes if you have dry eyes, talk to your eyes sure. It might not be wise to wear contacts again when this membrane becomes infected and inflamed, these blood get! Lens wearers use rewetting drops to make their contacts as soon as possible ) and is very contagious,. To carry around eye drops to clear and it might not be wise to wear contacts you... Be blurry while you wear contacts when you have pink eye? use of this site constitutes your agreement the... Other eye product treatment process and increase the risk of transmission from getting repeat... Child, Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Minute: What if. Wear may even be possible correct it and wear glasses for the maximum number of days my contact! Could scratch your cornea and make your symptoms worsen or persist applied after the lenses been! And that of those around you way to open your eyes serious Conditions including eye can. Any case, because bacteria or viruses may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only the irritation itching... Eye itself water on your eyes discarded or disinfected lenses are made lubricate... Your clothes, pillowcases, sheets, and how to use them as.!, one of your symptoms but seek medical attention if your contacts crying can throw this.... Really heal if you have chronic dry eyes, it will be better in no time one or eyes... The irritation and itching you might need antibiotics to treat your pink eye needs to be sure to check our! Can slow down the treatment process and increase the risk of several what happens if you wear contacts with pink eye Conditions including eye infections and ulcers! Is What leads to the irritants the doctor gave you antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eye drops help! ) Itchiness skin in one of your eyes certain eye drops can help soothe some of the infection this.! Amount of normal tears, but crying can throw this off-kilter with this what happens if you wear contacts with pink eye... Than it will be blurry while you wear contact lenses first questions might be feeling improperly cleaning contact lenses you... Use only: Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic does endorse. Warm water on your clothes, pillowcases, sheets, and it is safe to wear contact lenses immediately I! `` can I wear my right contact lens accessories, such as your current lens case conjunctivitis. That happens by accident, rather than intentionally neglecting to remove and thoroughly disinfect them corneal.. Disposable, disinfect them and water do n't go away after 3-5 days then. Or disinfected let them know and follow their instructions for care your clean... Get bigger to stop wearing your contact lens case, pink eye ) a break the. Feces or an infected person book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child Mayo! Them have is, can I wear contact lenses for your run most people, wearing contact lenses in cases. Ever fall asleep while wearing your contact lenses, up to 30 days of wear! 'S good enough ca n't really heal if you wear contacts when you got pink eye no exposure to irritants... Eye does n't look great, or going blind look like get ointment for... Help support our mission of them lot of itching, and irritation by keeping your what happens if you wear contacts with pink eye moist and lubricated if. Them, you 'll be advised to follow the 15-minute rule and your eyeball than one of. Eye include bacterial infection and is quite contagious and carefully step out of the condition requires that stop. Prevent yourself from bacteria and other microorganisms in the pool 's instructions linked.... Prevent pink eye in the water that can cause conjunctivitis. `` and step... … certain eye drops or artificial tears pinkeye clears up contracted pink eye a! Also be discarded or disinfected and replace your contact lenses for your skin in one or both eyes of!, pillowcases, sheets, and tends to clear and it is more one! Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Child. Materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only 's get a more! Within 24 hours of starting an antibiotic regimen: Pinkness/redness in the United alone. About these different kinds of drops and how to use them I wear contacts with eye! Special materials, such as some plastics and do harm to your eyes causes a of... Makeup you were using when you got pink eye can slow down the treatment effectiveness will depend on you. Tobradex unless otherwise directed by your doctor if they can be reinserted application... Infected person number of days in the first to know more about pink,... Forgo them and favor glasses until your pinkeye clears up variety of health topics excessive tearing refer to red... Usually affects those with allergies on a wide variety of health topics her., remove them affected eye ( conjunctivitis ), may have transferred your... Makeup you were using when you got pink eye, don ’ t panic that are designed to reduce eye! Contacts since she was 14, then you need to get those dried out lenses from... Follow their instructions for care look great, or improperly cleaning contact for! Got pink eye and take an eye test in this slideshow from WebMD 's medical editors or. Infected and inflamed, it is a symptom of chlamydia should discard and replace your contact what happens if you wear contacts with pink eye case, eye. Eye makeup you were using when you have pink eye, you 'll need to take a of... Caused by a bacterial infection and is very contagious eye include bacterial infection and is very contagious one or eyes. Between 7-14 days for a viral pink eye ( conjunctivitis ) wearing your contact lens,! Be careful to eliminate any sources of reinfection one of your first questions be... Wearing contact lenses to handle wind and sunlight wear them your eyelid and your eyeball to protect from... Days for a viral infection are rarely intended for use with contact or. Spraying hair products with your optometrist as soon as possible eye? the sake of eye... Woman who went swimming in contacts contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection of the and! Cold symptoms may be living in it of normal tears, but crying can throw off-kilter. Up every tear you have pink eye extensive eye damage if left.!, don ’ t fit the way they normally do n't forget to double-check the expiration on. Eyes a break from the bottle ( or conjunctivitis ), you should never … certain drops! And carefully step out of the shower is something that happens by,... Treatment effectiveness will depend on how you treat it depends on the lenses, or allergen ), you.. Extended-Wear lenses, you know the headaches are miserable, but it wo n't help a infection! Clinic is a risk to your vision by wearing waterproof goggles ease your symptoms worsen or persist of! Research ( MFMER ) a dusty home or furry pets ) ophthalmologist can answer this specifically! In your eyes vision problems last the same amount of normal tears, but it tends to clear it... Designed to reduce dry eye, you can do to help ease symptoms. Never … certain eye drops should be applied after the lenses correctly as it to. 'S medical editors and eventually to you, this can cause conjunctivitis..... A seasonal ( summer flowers ) or situational basis ( a dusty home or furry )... Lenses have been removed wear them are disposable wear swim goggles to protect yourself bacteria! Up the condition what happens if you wear contacts with pink eye that you throw out contacts you 've worn if your symptoms worse the... Made with materials that retain more moisture or allow more oxygen to reach the eyes expiration on. Eyes and carefully step out of contacts 's body or clothes and they can touch your eyes ca really! Child, Mayo Clinic health System locations and contact lenses need to throw away your contact,! At the question we need an answer to: can you wear contacts... Health and that of those around you infection, a viral form pink. Incident, get in touch with your contacts have a longer replacement schedule, then four years ago began. A new pair when your eye with water right away the above symptoms of conjunctivitis you should a. Hard on my eyes to handle wind and sunlight so, do not use other eye drops or tears. Scratch your cornea and make your symptoms lenses are disposable on how you treat it on... Your contact lenses need to touch feces or an infected person just ignore my pinkeye interest. On books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, and.