Peeling upper and lower eyelids

I started wearing contact lens about a year ago.  Shortly after I started wearing them my eyelids (right on the edge) both upper and lower started to peel.  My optometrist said that this wasn't unusual in contact lens wearers and to use a hydrocortisone cream.  However, I noticed that I used a low of rewetting drops in the beginning but as my eyes became accustomed to the contact lens I used rewetting drops very rarely.  And I subsequently noticed a dramatic difference in the peeling.  So, we have been trying different kinds of lens to get the right ones to work and I am having to use a lot of rewetting drops once again and, of course, my eyes are peeling furiously.  So, I guess my question, is are the contacts causing the peeling or the rewetting drops and is there anything I can do to help keep them from doing this?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You may have a serious allergic condition, or lid margin disease.  Either way, you definitely need to see an ophthalmologist to see what you have.  It may have nothing to do with your contacts.  Lay off the hydrocortisone cream around your eyes unless it is an ophthalmic formula and prescribed by your eye doctor.  See an ophthalmologist right away and get on a regimen to make things better.

Michael Kutryb, MD