Allergic to Contact Lenses?

6 weeks ago I noticed my left eye looked a little reddish and irritated. The next day I woke up with 2 very bloodshot eyes, with sticky yellowish discharge. Assuming I had bacterial conjunctivitis, I went to urgent care and was given antibiotic eyedrops. These were ineffective, though the symptoms gradually started clearing on their own. At that point I assumed I perhaps had viral conjuctivitis. After 3 weeks, mild pinkishness continued to remain. My eyes feel okay for the most part, it's just the bits of pinkness that are troublesome to me, visually speaking.

I finally got to see an eye doctor yesterday and was told that I am now allergic to contact lenses. She advised that it would be months and months, if ever, that I would be able to wear contacts again. And if so, I would have to try a different type of contacts. I find it shocking! Should I get another opinion?

I can't imagine not wearing contacts anymore, much less for months and months. The past 6 weeks in glasses has been driving me insane. Sadly, I can't even think of affording something like Lasik given my unemployed, student status.

I have been wearing contacts for 18 years. Most of those years I wore the original Acuvue disposables. The last 2 years I have been wearing Night & Day's. I tried the Acuvue Advance with Hydroclear last year, and I immediately did have a strange reaction to those--I developed floaty discharge and was told that wasn't uncommon--I just continued on with the Night & Day's until now.

Any advice?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Most likey you have GPC or giant cell conjunctivitis. Read about it at this link:

http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic87.htm

It is one of the most common reasons for people having to stop contact lens wear. It is more common is people that over-wear, under-clean and infrequently replace their contacts.

You can get a second opinion. You will probably have to wait months for GPC to clear up. Be sure the second opinion flips your upper lid to look for the tell tale signs that are there. There is a drop for GPC called cromolyn sodium.

After it clears you might be able to wear one day disposable contacts.

JCH IIIMD

[kg17]

I am not a medical doctor.  However, I had a terrible time with red eyes, discomfort, and allergy type symptoms with various contact lenses and solutions.  I finally found that daily disposables worked well with no problems.  No chemical solutions, no protein buildup, and better for eyes that are allergen sensitive.  Perhaps when things calm down, you might ask your ophthalmologist for a trial of Acuvue 1-day or other daily disposables.

[bloodflowergirl]

Thank you so much for help, comments, and feedback. Thanks also for the link, it was very helpful!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You are welcome

JCH II MD