Symptoms of contact eye infection include, but are not limited to, red eyes; tearing of the eyes; vision changes, such as blurred vision; eye discharge; and pain in the eyes. These are the most common indications of a possible contact lens eye infection. Contact lens wearers who experience any of the above signs and symptoms are strongly advised to see their doctor as soon as possible. Eye infections not only endanger a person's vision, but can be highly contagious and can spread from person to person and from infected eye to uninfected eye. The consultation should first be with a general practitioner, sometimes called an internal medicine physician, or with an ophthalmologist.
There are several types of contact lenses, and some are considered superior to others when it comes to reducing the risks of eye infection from contacts. Gas permeable contacts, for example, supposedly allow the eye to "breathe" to reduce the chances of developing problems. Disposable contact lenses are also generally considered safer because they don't have to be cleaned, but symptoms of eye infection from contacts can be experienced regardless of the type of lenses a person wears.
It should be remembered that bacteria, viruses, fungi, and foreign bodies in the eye are often the things that cause eye infections in general. Contact lenses of any kind can certainly be considered a "foreign body" that is not only an object in the eye but can also contribute to the creation of a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and viruses. While people who don't wear contact lenses can experience the signs and symptoms of contact lens eye infection, they're almost always caused by the same contacts in people who wear them.
Some of the same signs and symptoms of contact eye infection can be experienced in cases of conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva. Infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and people who wear contact lenses are at higher risk of developing the condition. "Pink eye" is the term most used by health care providers, as well as lay people, to refer to conjunctivitis caused by bacteria or viruses. To avoid experiencing the signs and symptoms of eye infection from contacts, it is advisable that users closely follow all precautions given for the specific type of contacts used, and they should not be worn while sleeping unless absolutely necessary.