Prolonged contact lens wear without adequate blinking can lead to which of the following?

Prolonged contact lens wear without adequate blinking can indeed lead to increased lens discomfort. Blinking plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and comfort of the eyes while wearing contact lenses. Each blink spreads tears evenly across the surface of the lens and the cornea, providing necessary moisture and nutrients and removing debris.

When blinking is insufficient, especially over extended periods, the eyes may become dry, leading to irritation and discomfort. This discomfort can manifest as redness, a gritty sensation, or a feeling that something is in the eye. The lack of adequate lubrication means that lenses may not sit comfortably on the cornea or may not be kept clean properly, contributing to an overall reduced level of comfort.

In contrast, the other options connect less directly or are inaccurate in this context. Increased moisture retention would not occur because inadequate blinking results in dryness, not added moisture. Lens hyperopia is not a recognized term relevant to prolonged wear; it is more accurate to talk about changes in vision due to lens fit or power rather than a blanket hyperopia. Decreased lens oxygen permeability is also not a direct consequence of the lack of blinking, as this characteristic of lenses is determined by their material composition rather than wear patterns.

Thus, the key consequence of prolonged lens wear