What is the most common cause of itching, burning, injected eyes in a new daily wearer of soft lenses?

The most common cause of itching, burning, and injected eyes in someone who has just started wearing daily soft contact lenses is a solution reaction. New contact lens wearers are often exposed to various lens care solutions and preservatives, which can lead to sensitivity or allergic reactions. These reactions may manifest as discomfort, irritation, or inflammation of the ocular surface, resulting in symptoms such as itching and burning.

In many cases, new wearers may not have acclimated to the lens material or the chemicals in the cleaning solutions. This can provoke a response in the eye, especially if the individual has pre-existing sensitivities. Identifying this reaction is critical because changing solutions or techniques for cleaning and storing lenses can often relieve these symptoms, allowing those with mild reactions to successfully adapt to contact lens wear.

Other potential issues like giant-cell papillary conjunctivitis or improper lens fit can cause similar symptoms but usually develop over a longer period of lens wear and are less common at the outset. An inability to wear soft lenses could imply more significant underlying issues affecting overall comfort and wearability, which would likely not present as early discomfort after just beginning contact lens use. Thus, a solution reaction stands out as the immediate cause in this context.