Contact lenses are for people who require vision correction.

According to the FDA, contact lenses can cause dry eyes, inflammation, pain and even permanent damage. Dr. Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, FACS.

“More than fifteen percent of people suffer from a problem called contact lens intolerance, where discomfort and dryness is so great, they have to give up their lenses,”Dr. Donnenfeld is an ophthalmologist who holds a board certification, is a clinical professor of ophthalmology and was the past president of American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Contact lens wearers also run the risk for serious eye infections. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, approximately 20% of contact lens-related infections result in serious eye damage.

“Many of my own patients are upset and frustrated because they can no longer wear contact lenses,” says Dr. Donnenfeld. There are several other treatment options, such as an eyelid cleanser called AvenovaHe believes that the, can assist.

“The most common cause of contact lens intolerance is dry eye, which occurs when the eye doesn’t have a sufficient film of protective tears,” Dr. Donnenfeld explains. “That problem, in turn, is caused or exacerbated by bacteria and tiny parasitic mites that live on the eyelids. The microbes not only irritate sensitive eye tissue, causing pain and inflammation (and, sometimes, serious eye infections), they also make enzymes that break down a crucial oil layer that protects the tear film,”He says. Avenova with Neutrox. NovaBay PharmaceuticalsDr. Donnenfeld has made this his first choice therapy for treating the bacteria that causes chronic dry eyes.

Avenova “inactivates the bacterial enzymes, helping to stabilize the tear film and improve comfort. So far, every single one of my patients suffering from contact lens intolerance or other chronic eye conditions has been helped by simple twice-daily wipes with Avenova. It truly is a breakthrough,” Dr. Donnenfeld says.

To make contact lenses more comfortable, you can also use two other devices: Dr. Donnenfeld states that a new device called LipiFlow applies heat to the inner eyelid and controlled pressure; another device, BlephEx, cleans the margins of the lids with a disposable sponge.

Avenova.com provides more information about eye and lid hygiene products.