Contacts provide numerous benefits to patients, including clearer, more natural vision – but they are not free of risk. You must follow the wear and care instructions carefully to avoid complications and keep your eyes healthy.
There are a number of conditions and complications that can develop due to contact lens use. A few of the ones we treat the most often at our Los Angeles office include:
It's quite common for contact lenses to exacerbate allergies, because they trap allergens close to the eye. To treat allergies caused by contacts, Dr. Benjamin typically recommends temporarily switching to glasses, using artificial tears and avoiding rubbing your eyes. If it's allergy season and your symptoms are unmanageable, schedule an appointment at our office so he can assess your condition in person and prescribe medication that can alleviate your symptoms.
Also known as GPC, giant papillary conjunctivitis is an irritation of the eye. It causes a number of symptoms, including large bumps inside the eyelid, red and itchy eyes, painful sensitivity to light, discharge and a change in vision. To treat the condition, you should first stop wearing your contacts for at least several days. From there, Dr. Benjamin may prescribe different cleaning solutions or lenses to prevent the irritation from recurring.
A corneal abrasion is simply a scratch on the eye. It develops due to lenses that don't fit properly, wearing lenses with dry eyes, improper hygiene, overuse and sleeping with your contacts. Continuing to wear your lenses with a scratched cornea can cause the condition to progress quickly, ultimately resulting in scarring or perforation. Depending on the severity of your abrasion, Dr. Benjamin will offer a personalized treatment plan which may include prescription medication to manage the pain, eye drops and an antibiotic to prevent an infection.
Also known as CLARE, this is an inflammatory reaction that develops due to overnight contact use, causing sudden eye pain and irritation. To treat the condition, you will need to stop wearing contacts and use artificial tears until your eyes have healed.
Dry, scratchy and irritated eyes are very common among people who wear contact lenses. To treat the condition, Dr. Benjamin will prescribe new contacts that can reduce dry eye discomfort and ensure that the lenses fit properly. From there, he will recommend specific lens care products that can optimize your comfort, along with drops to lubricate your eyes as needed.
There are many uncomfortable symptoms that can indicate a complication with your contact lenses. They include:
You may put your vision in the best hands by asking the proper questions of a potential LASIK physician using this No-Regrets Guide. We've included our own responses to these inquiries to prevent you from having to conduct an interview. But if you need more explanation or have other worries, let us know! We are at your service.
If you first experience a disaster like dry eye, the fundamental rule and recommendation would be to speak with a skilled ophthalmologist before putting anything in your eyes. Since choosing a treatment requires more pathophysiological understanding than simply purchasing the first eye drops you see.
Pterygium removal is a surgical procedure that removes abnormal tissue growing onto the cornea, often followed by a conjunctival autograft or amniotic membrane graft to support healing and reduce recurrence. This recovery guide explains what to expect after surgery, how to use prescribed ointments and drops, why UV protection is essential, how dry eye management supports healing, and when to contact our office during recovery.
Prokera® Slim is an FDA-cleared biological medical device that uses amniotic membrane to support healing of the ocular surface. This treatment may help reduce inflammation, suppress scarring, and restore damaged eye tissue in conditions such as keratitis, chemical burns, corneal scars, epithelial defects, and severe dry eye. Prokera is placed in the office, worn continuously for several days, and removed by Dr. Benjamin at a follow-up visit.
Valeda Light Delivery System is an advanced treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration, designed to support retinal cells and help preserve visual function. The procedure uses photobiomodulation — low-level light therapy with specific wavelengths — and is performed quickly, without pain, eye drops, injections, or recovery time.
If your vision becomes blurry, hazy, or foggy months or years after cataract surgery, it may be caused by posterior capsule opacification — often called a “secondary cataract.” This is a common and treatable condition, not a return of the original cataract. At Benjamin Eye Institute, Dr. Arthur Benjamin performs YAG laser capsulotomy in the office to quickly and painlessly clear the cloudy capsule behind the lens implant, with no incisions or stitches and clearer vision often restored the same day.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, and muscle. This recovery guide explains what to expect after eyelid surgery, including swelling, bruising, cold compresses, suture removal, activity restrictions, and important instructions to support safe healing and the best possible aesthetic result.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an in-office laser treatment designed to lower intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. This guide explains how SLT works, what to expect during the procedure, how Dr. Benjamin’s 180° treatment strategy is used, and why SLT may reduce or delay the need for daily glaucoma eye drops.
