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How to increase oxygen in eyes?

Published in Eye Health Contact Lenses 3 mins read

Taking regular breaks from wearing contact lenses and maintaining proper lens hygiene are primary ways to help ensure your eyes, specifically the cornea, receive adequate oxygen.

Why Oxygen is Important for Your Cornea

Unlike most tissues in the body, the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) gets its oxygen directly from the air, not blood vessels. This is essential for keeping it transparent and healthy. Sufficient oxygen is crucial for corneal cells to function properly, maintain hydration, and prevent issues like swelling or discomfort.

How Contact Lenses Affect Oxygen Supply

When you wear contact lenses, they sit directly on the cornea. Even highly breathable lenses can create a barrier that slightly reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the corneal surface compared to when you're not wearing them. Wearing lenses for too long or using older, less breathable types can significantly limit this vital oxygen flow.

Increasing Eye Oxygen: Key Practices (Based on Reference)

Ensuring your eyes get enough oxygen, particularly when you wear contact lenses, involves conscious effort based on expert recommendations.

Prioritize Contact Lens Breaks

Allowing your eyes periods without contact lenses lets the cornea access oxygen directly from the air, promoting its health.

  • Reduce wearing time daily: Give your eyes a break for a few hours each day. This is one of the most effective ways to restore natural oxygen flow.
  • Follow a structured routine: A practical approach mentioned is to balance wear time with non-wear time. A good rule of thumb would be wearing contacts for eight hours, taking them out for eight hours, and then sleeping for eight hours — or anything close to this kind of routine. This provides a significant portion of the day for your eyes to breathe freely.
  • Switch to glasses: Have a pair of up-to-date glasses readily available so you can easily remove your contacts when you're home or don't need them.

Ensure Immaculate Contact Lens Hygiene

Cleanliness is vital not just for preventing infection but also for optimizing the oxygen flow that your lenses allow through.

  • Clean Lenses Properly: Clean your lenses thoroughly. Protein deposits, debris, and microorganisms can build up on contact lenses. This buildup can further impede oxygen permeability and cause irritation.
  • Clean Before Insertion: Make sure your contacts are clean before putting them on. Using fresh solution and cleaning as directed by your eye care professional before inserting lenses ensures they are as clear and breathable as possible.
  • Replace lenses on schedule: Overused lenses degrade and become less permeable to oxygen over time, regardless of cleaning. Stick to the recommended replacement schedule (daily, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.).

By consistently implementing these practices, especially taking breaks from contact lens wear and maintaining strict hygiene, you can significantly help increase the amount of oxygen available to your eyes, supporting their long-term health and comfort.