Eye Protection: Contacts versus Glasses in Eye Trauma

Imagine being punched in the eye—no matter what you're wearing, the result can be painful. Let's explore the impact of injuries to the eye when you wear contact lenses (CLs) and compare it to wearing glasses.

The Impact of a Direct Punch

Whether you're wearing contacts or not, getting punched in the eye is harmful. However, contacts might give you a slight advantage if you can see the incoming punch and move your eye out of harm's way. Glasses would offer better protection, although they themselves are more likely to suffer damage.

What Happens to Your Contacts?

Soft or gas permeable contacts do not provide any significant protection against the force of a punch. In fact, if a gas permeable contact lens (GPCL) were directly hit by a force, it would deform but is unlikely to splinter like a sharp object might.

But what about when the punch hits the eye obliquely? An oblique blow, which is more common due to an instinctive reflex to turn away from the impact, is more likely to dislodge the GPCL from the eye rather than drive it in. This could result in the lens being expelled, potentially causing additional damage.

Protecting Against Blunt Trauma

Regarding the question of whether gas permeable contacts are potentially more dangerous than soft contacts in the event of blunt trauma, it's hard to say for certain due to the ethical concerns surrounding such studies. However, in practice, it's likely that soft contacts would be less dangerous.

Direct trauma to the eye is a different matter. Interestingly, one report suggests that gas permeable contacts might actually provide some protection against direct trauma. The lens, while still receiving the force directly, may help to defuse the impact by pushing some of the force away.

Protection from Smaller Foreign Bodies

When it comes to protecting against smaller foreign bodies, both kinds of contacts can offer some safeguard. However, hard lenses seem to provide more protection.

A study examining exposure to burning grit particles revealed that hard contact lenses (CLs) provided efficient protection for the part of the cornea they covered. Similarly, soft lenses protected the cornea to some extent, though they suffered more damage. The soft lenses had a certain protective effect as the majority of particles rebounded, causing only superficial damage to the cornea. The soft lenses themselves were heavily damaged.

Given that approximately 90% of contact lens wearers in the US use soft lenses, it's more likely that a soft CL would be involved in an eye injury compared to a gas permeable one.

It's crucial to understand that while contacts may provide a measure of protection, they are not a substitute for proper eye care and safety measures. Always wear appropriate protection when engaging in activities that could pose a risk to your eye health.

For those seeking further information on eye protection and safety, consider consulting an ophthalmologist or opthamalogist who can provide more personalized advice. Remember, the eyes are a vital and delicate organ, and safeguarding them is essential for maintaining optimal vision and overall well-being.