New eye issues & trouble wearing contact lenses

[mollygrace]

I started wearing contacts in 1998 when I was 16 years old, and continued wearing them through to 2007 without a problem. In November of 2007 I started experiencing discomfort and pain in one of my eyes, and immediately switched to glasses. After letting the eye rest for about a week, I tried contacts again with no luck. Again, I removed the contacts and saw a doctor. I was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer, which was treated with antibiotics and healed. My doctor told me at my follow-up that I was fine to wear contacts (though I was nervous about it) and she had me put them back in during the appointment. Shortly thereafter, more discomfort ensued and I was back to contacts. I visited the eye doctor again and she told me that it appeared I had blepharitis, which could've caused the corneal ulcer in the first place (I was always clean and careful with my contacts -- though I would occasionally sleep in them, I stopped doing that in '02 or '03 and had never had any eye problems previously).

It's now June 2009 and I have not attempted to wear contacts in over six months. I've been wearing glasses for nearly two years now with no indication that I will be able to comfortably wear contacts again (the last time I tried to put them in, November '08, my eyes almost immediately became red and bloodshot). Is it possible that I randomly developed blepharitis to the point where I can't wear contacts anymore? My eye doctor assured me that I wouldn't be unable to wear contacts because that simply doesn't happen to people... But I'm not so sure.

[kivrin]

I know this sounds odd, but it almost seems you are allergic to your contacts. I don't know if that is possible, but since the variable is always the contacts, I would suggest changing brands. Also, I would make sure to double, triple clean everything you use with your contacts. Either get a new case, or boil the one you have to make sure there is nothing there. Also, I would probably change the solution you use. I remember some company had an issue with a bacteria in their solution. Even if that isn't the solution, by changing it, you can see if there is some reaction to the solution. I even go so far as to use a nail brush and really scrub my hands and nails before I insert my contacts. (Yes, I am a little bit of a clean freak, but it keeps me healthy.)

[mollygrace]

That would make sense, except I was wearing the same contacts (same brand!) for 11 years without a problem. I was then told to switch to Night & Day which I actually found less comfortable! It's a mystery...

[mollygrace]

I'm great at math, huh? :) 9 years!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

About 20% of our lasik patients choose lasik because they lost the ability to wear contacts. It happens, more in females than males.

JCH MD

[kivrin]

While I see JCH's idea, I still would want to know why you can't wear contacts.

Sometimes companies change their formulas. I used to wear Clinique moisturizer everyday, faithfully. However, it now makes my skin burn and swell. I really would check out another solution and possibly another brand of contacts.

I have had Lasik, really improved my vision, and I am still happy with it. I still wear contacts or glasses though. I also was severely myopic. I wouldn't just have surgery because I can't wear contacts though. I would want an answer before going into a major decision like that. Are you seeing an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? I only ask because of the difference in training and education.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[gina611]

hmmmmm.........were the contacts Acuvue Oasys????