Struggling with painful, red bumps near your eyelids while wearing contacts? You might be at risk for styes. Contact lens wearers are more likely to deal with recurring irritation due to bacteria buildup, improper handling, and other habits that affect their eye health. This article walks you through how to stop styes with contacts, why contact lens users are more prone to problems like this, and what you can start doing today to protect your eyes.
What Is a Stye?
A stye is a red, swollen lump that forms on the eyelid when an oil gland gets blocked or becomes infected. The two main types are external styes, which develop near the base of the eyelashes, and internal styes, which form inside the eyelid. Both may lead to symptoms like pain, tenderness, tearing, and visible swelling. People who wear contact lenses may wonder, Can contact lenses cause styes? While contacts themselves aren’t always the direct cause, poor hygiene and frequent eye touching could increase the risk. Knowing the different stye causes and prevention is a helpful first step for anyone who is dealing with repeat irritation.
For fast relief, Stye-Press is a helpful option to add into your stye treatment routine. These adhesive patches absorb secretions, help reduce redness and swelling, and protect the affected area. Stye-Press can also lower the risk of scarring, which is especially helpful for anyone who frequently wears contact lenses. Using this type of product in conjunction with contact lens safety tips supports better eye health for contact users while also reducing the chance of developing infections in the future.
Why Contact Lens Wearers Are at Higher Risk
People who wear contacts naturally touch their eyes more often, which makes it easier for bacteria to spread. Inserting or adjusting lenses, especially without freshly washed hands, could introduce germs that clog the tiny oil glands along the eyelid. This kind of buildup is one of the more common stye causes and something many contact lens users unknowingly deal with.
Poor lens hygiene only adds to the risk. Reusing old lens solutions, skipping regular cleanings, or handling lenses in a rush can cause irritation and infection, and over time, these habits wear on the delicate skin around the eyes. Building a consistent routine with good eye care tips for contacts, like washing your hands thoroughly and following basic contact lens safety tips, protects the skin around your eyes and reduces your chances of needing stye treatment.
Also Read: Can Stress Cause Dry Eyes and What to Do About It
Hygiene Habits That Prevent Styes
Wash Your Hands First
Clean hands are one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your risk of getting a stye. Before inserting or removing contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and dry them with a clean towel. Rubbing your eyes throughout the day (especially when your hands haven’t been cleaned) can transfer bacteria directly to the eyelid, but this is one of the easiest stye causes to avoid with the right habits.
Keep Lenses and Cases Clean
Always use fresh solution when storing your contacts. Topping off old solution might feel convenient, but it doesn’t clean your lenses properly and may cause bacteria buildup. The same goes for rinsing lenses with tap water or saliva—both can introduce germs that increase your risk of infection. Another habit that often gets missed: swap out your lens case every one to three months. It’s a small and simple step that helps with preventing eye infections with contacts and makes a huge difference in stye treatment and prevention.
Follow Replacement Schedules
Wearing lenses longer than recommended often causes issues like friction, buildup, and infection. Whether your contacts are meant to be replaced daily, biweekly, or monthly, sticking to the schedule matters for both your comfort and safety. Unless your lenses are approved for overnight wear, take them out before bed to give your eyes time to breathe. Consistent replacement and proper wear are two of the most overlooked contact lens safety tips, but they’re also among the most effective for reducing your need for stye treatment and protecting against future flare-ups.
Eyelid Hygiene for Stye Prevention
Keeping your eyelids clean is another simple way to prevent styes, especially if you wear contacts. Washing your lids daily with diluted baby shampoo or gentle lid scrubs clears away bacteria and buildup that often causes irritation. Adding warm compresses a few times a week can also keep the oil glands from getting blocked, which is a common cause of styes. If you're looking for an easy way to do this, Eye-Press is a self-heating compress with pre-moistened, hypoallergenic wipes that make caring for your eyelids both soothing and straightforward.
When it’s paired with other contact lens safety tips, practicing good eyelid hygiene is a practical step toward preventing eye infections with contacts and avoiding the need for repeated stye treatment.
Also Read: Blepharitis and Stye Treatment: Top Remedies for Relief
Lifestyle Tips to Protect Eye Health
The way you care for your eyes throughout the day often has just as much impact as how you handle your contacts. It’s important to avoid rubbing your eyes, especially with lenses in, since this can push bacteria into the eyelid and increase the risk of infection. Taking the time to remove makeup before bed helps prevent buildup that can clog glands, and not sharing items like towels, contact solution, or eye makeup helps reduce the spread of germs. These small, consistent habits support eye health for contact users and really help when it comes to stye causes and prevention.
Giving your eyes a break from contacts is important, too. Swapping in your glasses every now and then will reduce irritation and lower your risk of developing a stye. Pairing these simple actions with contact lens safety tips helps prevent eye infections and reduces the chances of needing frequent stye treatment.
When to See an Eye Doctor
If you notice swelling, pain, or a bump near your eye, you should always check in with an eye doctor. This is especially true if styes keep coming back, take a long time to heal, or start to affect your vision. Contact lens users should be extra cautious, since improper lens care could make symptoms even worse.
Conclusion
Styes are frustrating, but with the right habits, they’re often preventable. If you wear contacts, keeping your lenses clean, taking care of your eyelids, and being mindful of your daily routines all help lower your risk. For anyone who struggles with recurring styes or discomfort while wearing contacts, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get to the root of the issue. In the meantime, Eye-Press products provide simple and effective support for everyday eye care and stye prevention. Order yours today!
Shop Now:
