Corneal Abrasion-Blurry Vision

[starr187]

My eyes were red everyday starting in April. I thought it was an eye allergy. I went to the opthalmologist in June and he told me my eyes were just red and nothing was wrong. He also said I could continue wearing my contacts. I interchanged contacts and glasses for awhile. In July I noticed that my left eye was blurry (with my glasses on). I went to the ophtalmologist again and this time he told me that I had an infection and a corneal abrasion. He gave me some antibiotics and within a few days the redness disappeared but the blurry vision remained. A week after that appointment, he took me off the antibiotics and told me to use lubricating drops in my eyes every 1-2 hours and a lubricating ointment at night. I have been following this regimen everyday since July 19. My left eye seems to be returning to normal but then I noticed that the blurry vision is comes back. I have another follow up in 2 weeks but I would like to is, Will this blurry vision eventually go away? If so, how long will it take?

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

99% chance was due to old contacts. maybe 50% chance will re-occur with new contacts. Should have your contact lens fitter flip your upper lids and see if you have GPC (giant papillary conjunctivitis) a very common allergy to contacts.
JC MD

[curiousabouthealth]

I have also been noticing irritating (literally) eye problems off and on for the past 3 years, and have thought it might be related to my new brand of contacts (acuvue oasys).  I have worn contacts for over 20 yrs and have NEVER had issues like these.  My eye dr and regular dr all say it's most likely allergies and probably not the contacts.  I had symptoms of what seemed like blodshot/pinkish coloring several times each month.  Every time I switched to glasses it seemed to clear a little, but not that much.  I experienced some blurred vision as well.  What sealed the deal for me, and what prompted me to google this topic, was I recently switched to a different brand of contacts, and for the past month or so haven't had ANY of the same issues and feel like my eyes are finally feeling better again.

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

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[patbar]

I have been wearing contacts for 37 years. Never a single problem.  I was leaving for vacation and my Acuvue2 lenses were not delivered on time. (even though I was assured they would be).The Target Optical where I go, gave me Acuvue Oasys samples to wear until I got back. I was told they were better for your eyes and besides they were discontinuing Acuvue 2 lenses. My daughter (15) was fitted for lenses in May 2013 and was given Acuvue Oasys, and is fine with them. After wearing them for ONLY 1 day, I noticed the vision in my right eye was blurry.I thought I had gotten a "bum" contact. But after putting my glasses on late that night, I realized my eyesight was blurry even with my glasses. I was on vacation so I had blurry vision in my right eye for the 5 days we vacationed. I made an appt. to see my opthamologist the morning after we got back. He wasn't sure what was wrong with my eye but prescribed Tobramycin and Dexamethasone drops.
He gave me the name of an eye specialist to see if my vision did not return in 2 weeks. My vision did not return. I saw the specialist, who had never seen anything like what I had in my cornea. He prescribed more of the same drops.(Tobramycin) Nothing improved. back to see him again after 2 1/2 weeks of drops every 2 hours. He looked at my eye, took pictures,  tested for glaucoma, called in his associate to look at it. They were both stumped! They are eye specialists! He prescribed a stronger steroid called Lotemax, take drops 4 x's a day. Before I left, they BOTH said to keep the Acuvue Oasys lens as I may have a lawsuit should my vision not return. Wonderful. It has been one week with these drops and there has been NO improvement. I go back on Sept 10.We' see what he has to suggest then, since  ireally feel the vision would be improving a little by now if the drops were going to work. Check out the blog on Study My Health, over 220 people have had major problems using Acuvue Oasys lenses. A Facebook page has been made for a possible class action lawsuit. If I do not regain my vision, I will be the one to start lawsuit. I will keep you posted.Has anyone had their blurry vision return to normal and could you go back to your old lenses?

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

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[des900]

From a hygiene, safety point of view wearing glasses is always preferable, if you still want to wear contact lenses then opt for the one you had normally used for a long time with no problem.

[starr187]

Thanks so much for your input. Lastnight I did some research and I found another forum on a different website in which many people voiced serious complaints about Acuvue Oasys. I ordered a year supply of Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear in April. Shortly after wearing them, I started to notice the redness in my eyes. I definitely think it is the contacts. One person said that the problem could also be because the newer brand is made in Ireland and the sizing there is different. I am not sure if it's the sizing or the chemical in these contacts, but I will continue to wear my glasses. I can't believe my ophthalmologist didn't even think my condition was related to contacts. Once my vision clears, I am going to see an optometrist about trying new contacts. Any advice on other brands of contacts I should wear?

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

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[allmymarbles]

I found the original post. It was "To Wearers of Acuvue Oasys Contacts." I thought it was new because I only came upon it the other day, but actually it dates from April 19, 2009. There are a great many replies, many of which are very recent.

[allmymarbles]

There have been serious complaints on this forum about the brand of contacts you are using. Many of those posting complained of corneal ulcers. Check the archives. The subject was being discussed only a couple of days ago.

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

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[des900]

Contact lens may have triggered your allergy, for seeing results you need to stop it for a long period like 1 year. presently you have some infection or dry eye. clean your eyelids using warm compress & use lubricating drops for reducing redness.

[starr187]

the things is the brand of contacts I was wearing before (Acuvue Oasys), I have been wearing for four years. I have been wearing contact lenses in total for 10 years.  In April, when I first noticed the redness/really bloodshot eyes, I stopped wearing my contacts for a month and everyday my eyes were still bloodshot. In the beginning of May, my lower lid in the left eye began to swell, but the swelling went down after 2-3 days. Since I saw the ophthalmologist in July, I wear only glasses. The redness left after I used the antibiotics, but it's been 6 weeks (no contact, just glasses) and I repeatedly use the lubricating drops, but I still have a little bit of blurry vision in the left eye.
Can I have a contact allergy without wearing contacts?

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

I also feel your problem is likely contacts and suggest you stop wearing them for several months. Discuss with your contact lens fitter.

JCH MD

[des900]

I think you have an allergy with contact lenses. Stop wearing contacts & continue with glasses, this may help cornea to heal faster.