GPC treatment and contact lens selection

My eye doctor just diagnosed me with GPC, but he didn't recommend that I stop wearing my contacts (which all information on the web seems to do).  He also gave me Optivar drops to use.  

I have had problems with my eyes, primarily the left, since August but haven't had insurance to see a doctor until now.  The left eyelid is swollen, and I have had some itchiness, burning, and discharge in both eyes.  My doctor found GPC in both eyes, but worse in the left.  I am 34 years old and a long-time wearer of 2-week disposable contacts.  I do diligently follow the guidelines for cleaning and replacing my contacts, but I also wear them every day, often for 12 or more hours.  I don't doubt the GPC diagnosis, but I'm not sure about the treatment.  Is this sufficient to clear up the problem?

My eye doctor also wants to switch me from the Acuvue Advance lens that I have been wearing to the older Acuvue 2, which he says will have fewer problems with protein build-up.  I am concerned about this because my previous eye doctor (I recently moved) switched me to the Acuvue Advance about two years ago because of concerns that my eyes weren't getting enough oxygen with the older material Acuvues that I had been wearing.  Does a switch back to Acuvue 2 make sense in this situation, or is it just likely to cause more problems for my eyes?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I really like acuvue advance (better in my opinion that acuvue 2) - but you need to take a break of a month or so at least to get things settled down.  I'm not a big fan of optivar, like patenol or pataday the best.  You could take a 2 week course of steroid drops as well to get started.  You shouldn't be getting much protein buildup with the disposable lens - just soak them every night in a solution that disinfects and cleans.

MJK MD