GPC and inflammation

[anon34254]

Hello

About a year a go I started to ignore my dirty lenses, I used them even tho they where dirty and a couple of times I slept in them. Than my eyes started to get very red, I started getting random bumps on my lower and upper eyelids. I was prescribed with Lotemax for about 7 weeks, I have tried Zaditor too. Almost a year has passed and my eyes are still red, I still get a bump or 2 on my eyelids, they sometimes feel sticky and I have more mucus, when I use Patenol they return to their original color. Some days are better than others, and some days they get pretty bad. I really want my original eyes back. Is there anything that can done at all? Will this "Ever" go away?

Thanks

[HKA]

A related discussion, GPC - My Experience was started.

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

Zaditor and Alomide are eye drops for allergy, they are not specifically for giant cell conjunctivitis. There is an prescription eye drops for GPC called cromolyn.  Many people with GPC have to discontinue contact lens permanently.

Provided your glasses prescription fall within certain ranges and your corneal shape and thickness are also acceptable LASIK would be an option worth considering. In our practice about 10-20% of patients that have LASIK are because they have lost the ability to wear their contacts. Many of the eye surgeons that do refractive surgery have themselves had LASIK.

JCH III MD Ophthalmologist

[dayana0601]

HI, I have a chronic GPC. I use to have "flare ups" to which I would discontinue contact lenses,  use alomide and that would cure the problem.  I have had a flare up now for few weeks to the point that I cannot wear my lenses at all. I went to my eye dr and she prescribed ZADITOR, she said that it was in the same class as ALOMIDE.  is this true? I am so miserable with my eye (the right eye is the problem) that I am considering LASIK. what is your opinion? should I give ZADITOR a try or use the ALOMIDE as I have in the past? your imput is greatly appreciated.
thanks
dayana

[John C Hagan]

This sounds like a not atypical case of vascular ingrowth to the superior corneas.  This is frequently caused by contact lense overwear, but can also be related to some of the chemicals used to clean the lenses and rarely even to the material composition of the lenses themselves.  You need to stop wearing these lenses for a while, have your ophthalmologist examine the eyes and you will likely be prescribed a topical steroid and several months to help melt away these vessels and surrouding inflammation.  At that time, lenses with a new cleaning regimen and proper wearing schedule can be supplied.    

RBensinger, MD in Seattle

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

It's not clear whether you still wear contact lenses. If so, discontinue their use. I would seek out a corneal specialist who would be the best expert to evaluate and treat you. If you are wearing contact lenses and they are chronically irritating your eyes, this could lead to more serious problems.  -Roy Rubinfeld, MD