【Column】👁️ When My Contact Lenses Suddenly Stopped Working After Giving Birth

— Why I Switched from Two-Week to Daily Lenses

After giving birth, my body changed in many ways — but one of the most unexpected things was that my contact lenses suddenly stopped working for me.
I had been using two-week lenses for years without any problems. My routine was always the same: take them out at night, clean them with Concept One Step, and put them back in the next morning. But about two weeks after delivery, my eyes suddenly became red and irritated whenever I wore them.


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💧Nothing Else Changed — Except My Body

At first, I thought I had done something wrong.
I double-checked the cleaning solution, the case, the expiration date — everything.
But nothing had changed. The only difference was me.

During pregnancy and postpartum, hormone levels shift dramatically. That affects the composition and amount of tears, often leading to dry eyes.
When your eyes are dry, even the same lenses you’ve always used can suddenly feel rough or painful.


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😣 My Eyes’ “No” Signal

I tried putting on a new pair of two-week lenses on July 16, 2025, hoping things had improved.
Within a few hours, my eyes turned red again.

That’s when I realized — my eyes were clearly saying “No.”
I stopped forcing myself to wear them. Now, I use daily disposable (one-day) lenses, and my eyes feel much more comfortable.


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👶 Why Does This Happen After Childbirth?

Postpartum bodies often experience:

Hormonal imbalance → reduced tear production

Sleep deprivation → worsens dryness and eye fatigue

Weakened corneal barrier → eyes become more sensitive

Changes in corneal shape → the same lens may no longer fit perfectly


In short, the eyes you had before pregnancy aren’t exactly the same eyes you have after.


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👓 Why Daily Lenses Are Gentler

Two-week lenses are cost-effective, but they require daily cleaning and soaking in a case — and that adds exposure to potential irritants like disinfectant residues, bacteria, or protein buildup.

Daily disposables, on the other hand:

Always use a fresh, sterile lens each day

Reduce infection and allergy risk

Don’t rely on cleaning solutions or cases


They’re especially good for sensitive, postpartum eyes that need time to recover.


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💬 What I Learned

Your eyes are living tissue — they breathe, react, and communicate.
When they turn red or uncomfortable, it’s not just “fatigue.” It’s their way of saying something is wrong.

Since switching to daily lenses, I’ve had no redness or discomfort.
I still wear glasses on some days to give my eyes a rest, and I’m careful not to overwear lenses even when I feel fine.


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🩺 If You’re Going Through the Same Thing…

Here’s what helped me:

1. Don’t push through redness. Stop wearing the lenses immediately.


2. Visit an eye doctor. They can check for dryness, small scratches, or fit issues.


3. Try daily lenses or alternate between contacts and glasses.


4. Use preservative-free artificial tears (like Soft Santear or Hyalin Mini in Japan).


5. Give it time. Your eyes may gradually stabilize after your hormones settle.




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📚 References

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dry Eye Syndrome After Pregnancy.

Japan Contact Lens Society. Guidelines for Contact Lens Care and Hygiene.

Takahashi, M. (2021). Postpartum Ocular Changes and Contact Lens Tolerance. Journal of Eye Health.



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#PostpartumCare #ContactLenses #EyeHealth #DryEyes #DailyContacts #MomLife #VisionCare