Contact Lenses & Pinguecula: Can You Wear Them?

A pingecula, or overgrowth of the conjunctival tissue on the surface of the eye, does not preclude someone from wearing a contact lens.

Definition of Pinguecula

• A pinguecula is a growth of the clear covering to the white of the eye. This clear covering is known as the conjunctiva, and the overgrown conjunctival tissue often appears yellowish.

Causes of Pingeculas

• Pingueculas often present with advancing age, and are also associated with lengthy exposure to sun and wind.

Contact Lens Wear with Pingueculas

• Contact lenses, especially soft contact lenses, are flexible and can slide over small irregularities on the surface of the eye such as pingueculas.

Overgrowth of a Pinguecula

• Some pingeculas may overgrow and make contact lens wear uncomfortable. In these cases, an ophthalmologist can perform a simple surgery to remove the overgrown tissue. Smaller pingueculas that are slightly irritated at times can usually be dealt with by using artificial tears.

Talk to Your Eye Doctor

• If you have any concerns about pingueculas or contact lens wear, talk to your eye doctor.