Hard contact issues

[Minnesota]

I'm a 27-year-old who has had Gas Perm. contacts since I was 15.  I've never had a problem with them before--they've always been very comfortable for me.  Last year, I moved to a new state, away from the eye doctor which I've had since I was a child.  I had to get a new pair of contacts because I lost one of mine, and so I visited the local eye doctor, and had all my previous records faxed to him.  Well, ever since that visit, I have had nothing but trouble!  The doctor changed my prescription a little, which didn't suprise me because I hadn't had it changed in about 5 years.  But since March of 2007, I've been through about 5 pairs of contacts--none of which work.  Either they hurt my eye so much that I have red blood shot eyes all the time, or they fog up on me just 10-15 minutes after putting them in.  My eyes are never comfortable, they always hurt, most of the time they're blood-shot, and my contacts have to be washed at least 5 times a day to keep them clear--sometimes even more than that!  I've been trying to work with the doctor, and he's tried different brands of Gas perms and different materials, but nothing seems to work.  We've gone through several hypotheses--eye producing not enough tears?  Allergies?--but none of them have proven to be the cause of my problem.  I'm at my wits end, and would really like some answers to what you think may be happening with my eyes.  

[sfigiel]

I have been wearing HARD contacts since the 6th grade (approx. 12 years old).  Like you without any problems.  Went to GAS when it was the "new thing".  I went thru several issues with my contacts a couple years ago.  Doctor kept telling me that my eyes were scratched.  The drops helped as long as I didn't wear the contacts.  As soon as the contacts went back in the eye soreness started back up.  2nd trip to the doctor...now I have another issue...more drops..apparently this doctor didn't know what a good fitting contact looked like, because apparanetly the contacts didn't fit.  (I went to the SW Medical School doctor in Ft.Worth Tx, that fixed me up!)  Back in conacts without any issues to date.  

I agree with AAO-MD-MK...get a second opinion!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Your case is complicated and obviosly your current doctor is having a tough time getting your eyes happy.  Suggest you see another doctor who specializes in fitting RGP contacts - if he/she can't help then get another opinion with MD ophthalmologist to consider other causes of trouble including severe allergies, dry eyes, gpc, other problems.  Some people just don't do well with contacts do to many possible problems.  Perhaps your doctor is not skilled at RGP contacts - it's becoming an lost  art - and many ophthalmologists and optometrists aren't adept at it.

MJK MD