Contact Lens Tips & Problems


To find answers to your contact lens questions just click on a topic below.  If you don't find your answer just email Dr. Quiring.

Important Questions to Always ask your Eye Doctor
Soft Contact Lens Care and Handling
Soft Lens Insertion
My Lens Sticks to My Finger When Trying to Insert it
Toric Lens Insertion
Soft Lens Removal
How Do I Tell if my Lens in Inside Out?
Avoiding Eye Infections
Symptoms of Eye Infections
Swimming with Contact Lenses
Blurry Contact Lenses
Tearing (Ripping) Your Contact Lenses?
Good Habits for Soft Contact Lenses
Bad Habits for Soft Contact Lenses
Contact Lens "Do's" and "Don'ts"
Tips To Increase Contact Lens Comfort
Contact Lens Discomfort
Corneal Swelling (Edema) From Over Wearing Lenses
Troubleshooting Soft Contact Lenses
Options for the Bifocal User
Disposable Contact Lens Use
Extended Wear Contact Lens Use
Makeup and Contact Lenses
Contact Lens Care
Avoiding Contact Lens Problems
Tips for Total Comfort
What to Do When You Have a Problem: What To Do Right Away
What to Do When You Have a Problem: When To Seek Medical Care
Finding a "Lost" Lens
Contact Lens Related Problems
Lens Comfort Problems
Wearing Time Problems
Vision Problems
Contact Lens Allergy
Lens Deposits
Other Potential Contact Lens Problems
Contact Lens Complications
Tight Lens Syndrome
Corneal Ulcer
Corneal Warping
Corneal Swelling (Edema)
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
Eye Redness


Important Questions to Always ask your Eye Doctor

Should I have a backup pair of glasses? (My answer - Always)

How often should I remove my contact lenses? My answer - same as manufacturer specifies. Daily wear lenses should be removed daily and should not be worn longer than 14 hours. Extended wear lenses should be removed at least after 7 days continuous wear (the exception is for the Focus Night & Day lens that can be worn for 30 continuous days). I tell my extended wear patients to remove their lenses at least twice a week to lower their risk of complications like eye infections and ulcers. For those that removed their extended wear lenses daily, I encourage them to wait for 1/2 hour after awaking to insert them and removed them 1/2 hour before going to bed.

How long can I wear my lenses at one time? My answer - same as manufacturer specifies) Daily wear lenses can be worn up to 14 hours, extended wear lenses can be worn up to one week, and Focus Night & Day lenses can be worn up to one month. Ask your Eye Doctor what kind of lenses you are wearing and how long you can wear them.

Can I sleep with my contacts on? My answer - if approved by the FDA & manufacturer. Ask your Eye Doctor how your lenses are approved.

How often should I change my lenses?  My answer - same as manufacturer specifies. Most disposable lenses are now 2-week lenses, however, some disposable lenses are quarterly (3 months), 1-month and single use. Conventional (non-disposable) lenses are usually rated to last a full year with normal wear and care.

How often should I have my eyes examined?  (My answer - Yearly)

Soft Contact Handling
When first starting out, insert and remove your lenses over a cloth or towel spread on the counter, to avoid losing or damaging the lens. 
You may want to use a mirror at first, but practice so you can do it without, in case you are somewhere without a mirror. 
Fingernails should be trimmed to avoid damaging the lens and the eye.
Lenses must always be in a hydrated (wet) form. They must either be in your eye or in a proper soaking solution. If you drop a lens and do not find it until it has dried out, it may not be ruined. Soak the lens in solution for one hour and check to see if it returns to a soft, flexible state. If it becomes too dried out it will become brittle and break.

Soft Lens Insertion 
1. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses. Avoid soaps with creams, deodorants or perfumes, as they may leave a film on you hand and cause eye irritation. Keep your fingernails trimmed and smooth to avoid damaging the lens or scratching your eye. 

2. Take the right lens and rinse thoroughly with saline or rinsing solution. Check for any debris or tears in the lens before inserting. Always insert and remove the right lens first to avoid switching the lenses. 

3. Determine if the lens is right side out. Hold the lens on your finger and notice the edges of the lens. If the edges appear almost straight up and appears to be bowl shaped, it is correct. If the edges of the lens are flared out, it is inside out. Your lens may have an inversion mark on it to help determine the right side. If the letter or mark can be read by looking at the lens, it is correct. If the mark is reversed, the lens in inside out. 

4. Another method to tell if the lens in inside out is called the "taco test". Fold the lens gently in the palm of your hand. If it is correct, the edges will point inward. If it is inside out, the edges will roll out rather than in. 

5. Hold the upper lashes to prevent blinking with the hand not holding the lens. Hold the lower eyelid with the middle finger of the hand holding the lens. Slowly bring the lens toward the eye while looking "through" the lens and finger and place it on the cornea. Slowly release the lower lid first and then the upper lid. Close your eyes gently to center the lens. 

6. Use lubricating or re-wetting drops if your lenses feel dry or prior to removal if the lenses feel sticky.

My Lens Sticks To My Finger When Trying to Insert it 
1. Your soft lens will "stick" to whatever is wettest. Make sure your finger is dry.

2. You are not directing the lens to the center portion of your eye. Make sure you are looking directly ahead when inserting your lenses. This is very important when going to the opposite eye from the hand you are using (right hand, but left eye) - the tendency when crossing the midline of the body is for the eye to turn out, making it very difficult to center the lens on the eye when inserting.

Toric Lens Insertion 
Toric soft lenses, used to correct significant astigmatism, are manufactured differently than standard soft lenses. Inserting them correctly will allow you to see clearer faster after insertion.

Toric lenses are usually weighted on the bottom of the lens; that is they are thicker at the bottom (or six o'clock position). This thicker part of the lens aids in stabilizing the lens on the eye to avoid rotation or turning of the lens.

So when inserting a toric lens, first look for laser markings on the lens. They usually look like small marks or "hairs" on the lens and they are almost always located at the thicker, bottom of the lens. So lenses have a single laser mark at 6 o'clock and others have 3 at 5,6 and 7 o'clock. Orientate the lens on your finger so that these marks are opposite the tip of your finger, so that when you insert your toric lens, the thicker part of the lens is already going on the bottom of your cornea.

Inserting a toric lens like this will not only be more comfortable for you after insertion, but your vision will be much clearer as well.

Soft Lens Removal
1. Wash your hands. If your lens "sticks" to your eye and difficult to remove, insert a rewetting drop in your eye to moisten your lens before trying to remove it.

2. Pull down the lower lid with the middle finger of your inserting hand. Gently pull the lens downward onto the white part of your eye (sclera) as you look up. Pinch the lens between your thumb and forefinger to remove. 

3. If the edges of the lens stick together after removal, place it in the palm of your hand and soak it thoroughly. Gently rub back and forth until edges get separated being careful not to rip the lens. 

4. Follow lens cleaning and storage instructions given to you by the dispenser.

How Do I Tell if my Lens is Inside Out?
Generally there are two different ways to tell if your lens is inside out:

1. The Taco Test; Place the lens between your thumb and pointing finger. Gently roll your fingers together. If a lens is NOT inside out the edges will flare in and curl together (meeting the edge from the other side) like a taco. If it is inside out, the edges will flare out, and sometimes collapse on your finger surfaces.

2. Viewing Your Lens; Looking at your lens from a direct side view, observe the very edge of the lens. If the very edge of the lens appears sharp or pointed sideways, it is inside out. If the very edge of the lens appears to "bowl up," it is on your finger the correct way.

Also, Vistakon (Johnson & Johnson) has etched with a laser (on its AcuVue2 and AcuVue Advance lenses) a "1 2 3" near the edge of the lens. If you wear one of these lenses, simply hold the lens on your finger above your head. If you can see " 1 2 3", in the proper order, its on your finger the correct way to put on properly.

Avoiding Eye Infections for Contact Lens Wears
One of the most common complications for contact lens wearers are eye infections. Whether the infections are caused by bacteria or a virus, the condition is easily treatable with medicated eye drops.

Avoiding eye infections can be easy if you follow a few simple suggestions. These points are not in any particular order; they are all very important suggestions:

1.  Change your disposable contact lenses when your doctor recommends.

2.  Always wash your hands thoroughly (and rinse thoroughly) before handling your lenses. Use soap that doesn’t have moisturizers and perfumes, like Ivory soap.

3.  CHANGE OR WASH/STERILIZE YOUR CONTACT LENS CASE REGULARY! In the many years of practicing, I have seen some of the dirtiest cases that you wouldn’t believe! Remember, you are storing your lenses in your case. Think of your case as your own eye; would you want to put your lenses on your eye when they have been in that case? To clean it, wash thoroughly with soap and warm water.  To sterilize it, place your cleaned case in a hard boil (water) for a few minutes. I recommend cleaning/sterilizing OR replacing your case monthly.

4.  If you wear your lenses while you sleep, make sure your lenses feel good before you retire for the night.  If there is a problem or something under your lens, your eye will be worse in the morning. FYI: Anytime patients wear their lenses while they sleep, they greatly increase the risk of an eye infection.

5.  DON’T wear your lenses when you sleep if they are not approved by the FDA for extended wear. Your doctor will inform you of how your lenses can be worn. If you have questions about your lenses, email me!

6.  Soak your lenses in an approved disinfection solution, NOT saline solution! I know it’s much cheaper, but it will not kill bacteria and mold. In fact, soaking them in saline is a breeding ground for bugs; it’s warm and wet; a perfect environment for bacterial growth. Click (here) to see the solutions I recommend.

Symptoms of Eye Infections
Some of the common symptoms of eye infections are:
1. Discharge or mucous, greater amount than usual (may be clear, white, yellow or green)
2. Light sensitivity (photophobia)
3. Excessive tearing
4. Blurred Vision
5. Pain
6. Redness

If you suspect an infection, seek medical care from your eye doctor immediately.

Swimming with Contact Lenses
Swimming with any contact lens is not recommended simply because a soft contact lens acts like a sponge and will absorb anything in its environment. Not only will a soft lens absorb anything from water, like chorine and stuff from lake water, but also from the air, like hair spray, chemicals and cigarette smoke.

Reusing the lenses you have worn in a swimming pool will cause stinging and burning. I have fit divers and competitive swimmers with single use lenses, like Ciba Focus Dailies and they are very successful and happy patients.

Swimming in Rigid Gas Permeable lenses will increase the risk of losing a lens.


Blurry Contact Lenses
Blurry vision with contact lenses can be caused from a variety of problems. Here is a short list:

1. Dryness; The number one problem with blurry vision with contact lenses is dryness. If blinking a few times or the use rewetting drops clears up your blurriness, then dryness is the source of your blurred vision. A couple good brands of contact lens rewetting drops are Refresh Contacts and Complete Rewetting drops. Also, I tell my contact lens patients to drink plenty of water (2 liters a day) and this helps increase the volume of tears for your eyes.

2. Prescription; Perhaps your prescription has changed. Have your doctor recheck your vision to see if this can improve your vision.

3. Poor Fit or Optics in your lens; Perhaps your doctor can change your lens brand to better fit your eye and improve your vision.

4. Toric Lenses (patients with astigmatism); If your lenses are rotating or turning on your eye your vision will become blurred. This can be adjusted by checking the rotation of your lenses and adjusting your prescription accordingly. If your lenses are giving inconsistent vision, your doctor can change the brand of toric lenses you are wearing. I recommend the Biomedics Toric and the Bausch & Lomb Soflens 66 Toric lenses for improved stability on your eye and better vision.

5. Defective Contact Lens; Occasionally lenses can be defective out of the package. Open a new one and put it on to see if your blurriness goes away.

Tearing (Ripping) Your Contact Lenses?
If you are tearing your soft contact lenses, here are some good hints:

1. When rubbing your lenses, use your pinky finger. Never use your index finger as this can add more pressure to the lens and increase the likelihood of ripping.

2. Always rub your lens in a back and forth motion, not a circular motion.

3. When rubbing your lenses, apply very light pressure; it is not the amount of pressure applied to the lens that helps clean it, but the AMOUNT of time you spend rubbing your lens to clean them.

4. If your lens is stuck together, don't try to pull it apart. Put it back into your case and make sure there is plenty of solution to hydrate the lens. Wait a minute and then check to see if the lens is unstuck.

5. Fill your contact lens case only half full - just enough to cover your lens. If you overfill the case, the lens can float to the top and be torn by the cover that you screw down to the case.

6. Some lens brands (materials) are more likely to rip easily. If, after following these suggestions, you still have problems ripping your lenses, let your doctor know so that he/she can change the lens you are wearing to make it more durable for you.

Good Habits and Soft Contact Lenses
Always wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap prior to handling you lenses. Special (hypo-allergenic) contact lens soaps are available from your Doctor.

● Always rinse your hands afterwards with clean water.
● Dry your hands with a lint-free towel.
● Get into the good habit of starting with your right lens first to avoid accidentally switching your lenses.
● Always check to see if your lens is inside-out before insertion.
● Only use the contact lens care solutions that your Doctor has recommended. ● Confusion and possible eye irritation can be avoided by staying with one manufacturer's brand of lens care products. Always keep sufficient supplies on hand.
● In order to maintain optimum visual performance and eye health, you are urged to attend all recommended contact lens progress examinations.
● Clean, rinse and disinfect your lenses as recommended after each use. Except for disposable and monthly soft contacts, enzyme cleaning is recommended weekly.
● Always have an up-to-date pair of prescription glasses on hand to give your eyes a rest from contact lenses. 
● Use "water-soluble" makeup only. Certain cosmetics can be a significant source of irritation.
● Use eye cosmetics sparingly. 
● Your lens storage container should be thoroughly washed with soap and water at least once a week. Putting your case in the dishwasher is a good way to ensure cleanliness.
● Always remove your contact lenses if your eyes are excessively dry, red or irritated.

Success with contact lenses is highly dependent on you!

Bad Soft Contact Lens Habits
● Never over-wear your contact lenses. Follow all recommended wearing instructions. 
● Never wear your contact lenses if your eyes are excessively red, irritated, dry or blurry. 
● Never handle your lenses with dirty hands or in a less than clean environment. 
● Never use saliva or water to wet or clean your lenses. Use only saline solution and approved soft lens cleaning solutions. 
● Never handle your contacts with long or dirty fingernails. 
● Never store your soft lenses dry. Follow all recommended storage procedures. 
● Avoid oil-based eye makeup.
● Avoid getting cosmetic creams and lotions on your lenses. 
● Never use commercial eye drops (Visine, Murine, etc.) with your contacts since they can ruin your lenses. Use solutions intended for contact lenses only. 
● Never go for long periods of time without a recommended contact lens progress examination. 
● Never use anyone else's contact lens solutions and never use old or expired solutions. 
● Never wear your contact lenses if you have an eye infection.
● Call your optometrist at once if you suspect an eye infection.
● Never hesitate to call if you need assistance.

Contact Lens Do's and Don'ts
Do's
● Follow the wearing schedule given by your optician.
● Wash and rinse your hands before insertion and removal of lenses.
● Always use fresh solution.
● Replace faulty, damaged or dried out lenses.
● Replace your lens case at least every 3 months.
● Handle daily disposable lenses as little as possible.
● Rub and rinse monthly disposable lenses before insertion.

Dont's
● Sleep with your lenses in.
● Re-use solutions.
● Use tap water on your lenses.
● Wear lenses while swimming.
● Ignore eye irritations.

Tips To Increase Contact Lens Comfort
From: (NAPSI)- The eyes have it: redness, discomfort, itchiness, blurry vision-and contact lenses may be the cause.

Eye experts offer the following tips to make wearing contacts more comfortable for the over 30 million Americans who wear them:

See your eye doctor and have your prescription checked every year. As we age, our eyes go through physical changes that can affect how well we see. Blurry vision may be the result of contacts that are too strong or too weak.

If proper cleaning and lens care are annoying hassles for you, consider daily disposable contact lenses. Wearing a pair of fresh, sterile lenses every day helps maintain ocular hygiene. There is little chance for protein build-up or dirt on the lens that can lead to irritation or infection.

Reduce seasonal allergy symptoms by wearing a daily disposable lens when pollen counts are high.

For increased comfort, try the new Focus® Dailies®, a contact lens designed to cure "edge sensation" -that annoying feeling of the eyelid rubbing against the edges of the contact lens, especially after a long day. (This is the lens that Dr. Quiring wears) Made with Lightstream Technology, Focus Dailies are said to have the thinnest edges of any contact lens in the world.

"My patients who have tried Focus Dailies say their vision is great and they can't feel the lenses in their eyes -even after a long busy day," says Atlanta optometrist Dr. Judson Briggs.

Daily disposable lenses offer the ultimate in convenience for athletes and people on the go. Since no cleaning is required, wearers can forget about purchasing lens care products and packing bulky solutions when they travel.

At a cost of only about a dollar a day per pair, the popularity of these disposable lenses is eye-catching. 

Individuals interested in additional information and a free trial sample, can call 1-888-DAILIES. Before changing contact lenses, wearers should check with their eye care professional.

Contact Lens Discomfort
A common reason for contact lens discomfort is poor fit. There are several components of contact lens design that can impact its fit, diameter of the lens and base curve.

The diameter of the contact lens is the entire width of the lens and is measured in millimeters.

The base curve of the contact lens is the steepness of the curve of the contact lens that fits against the cornea. A contact lens design with a small base curve has a steeper shape than one with a flatter base curve (an egg as compared to an orange).

When a contact lens is fit correctly onto the cornea, the lens should cover the entire cornea with only slight movement with each blink.

Should the lens move excessively during wear, revealing any portion of the cornea, dryness and/or irritation will occur making the lens uncomfortable to wear as wearing time increases. Should the contact lens move too little during wear, the cornea can become irritated and the eye can become red with blurred vision as the wearing time increases.

A properly fit contact lens (correct diameter and base curve) should have a comfortable wearing time up to 12 hours.

Corneal Swelling (Edema) From Over Wearing Lenses
The presence of corneal edema is a sign that your cornea is not getting enough oxygen. Your cornea gets its oxygen from the air around us (breathing through a contact lens) rather than by red blood cells from our blood vessels.

The number one symptom of edema is hazy, blurry vision - like looking through fog (similar to seeing in your bathroom after a long hot shower. For those wearing their lenses while they sleep, waking up to hazy vision (after rewetting your lenses) for the first hour or so of the day, means that your corneas are not getting enough oxygen, so decrease your extended wear use!
Chronic corneal edema leads to long term changes to your cornea. Neovascularization (the body forming new blood vessels to aid in the oxygenation of the corneal tissue due to lack of oxygen) is one of the most common complications to over wearing contact lenses. This finding is usually what a doctor finds when he/she informs their patients that they are over wearing their lenses. While I have seen these vessel changes slowly disappear, many times they are permanent changes to the cornea.

Patients that would like to consider having LASIK surgery in their future should be aware that advanced neovascularization can affect a their candidacy for the procedure.

Troubleshooting Soft Contact Lenses
A lens flattens on your finger prior to insertion.
Solution: The lens or your finger may be too wet. Shake the lens once or twice and blot your finger. A very wet lens is difficult to handle. If your finger is too wet, the lens will stick to your finger instead of the eye.

A lens flattens on your finger during insertion.
Solution: The lens is hitting your eyelashes or eyelid upon insertion of your lens. You must open your eye wider and/or take better aim. Occasionally flattening of the lens can occur if you press on you eye too hard while inserting your lens.

After insertion, a centered lens still causes discomfort.
Solution: Possibly dust, mucus or makeup is under the lens. Gently touch the lens with your index finger and slide it slowly away from the center of your eye onto the white portion of your eye and then back again onto the center. If the lens is still uncomfortable, remove it, clean and rinse it thoroughly, check to see if it is inside-out and re-insert your lens. If a lens is routinely uncomfortable, do not wear your lens and call your Doctor for additional recommendations.

A lens was left out of solution and it has dried out.
Solution: Lenses are not necessarily destroyed if they should accidentally dry out and become hard. To re-hydrate ( or re-soften) a dry lens, carefully place it in fresh saline for at least four hours and then disinfect as recommended before wearing. Before insertion, check your lens for defects.

After insertion, your lens burns or stings your eye.
Solution: Your lens should be removed and rinsed thoroughly to remove any residue or debris. Also, if you are using an unfamiliar solution, its pH might not coordinate with your eye's pH. Always use recommended and familiar care products. If your eye continues to burn, remove your lenses and call your optometrist for recommendations.

After some hours of wear, your lenses remain uncomfortable.
Solution: Remove each lens, rinse with saline in a clean hand. Re-insert your lenses. Apply a soft lens rewetting drop if needed. If discomfort continues, discontinue wear for the day. Thoroughly clean, rinse and disinfect as recommended. If your eyes are comfortable, wear your lenses. If you cannot maintain a satisfactory wearing schedule, contact your optometrist for further recommendations.

Your eyes are typically red and excessively irritated.
Solution: Do not wear your contacts if you suspect eye infection. Make sure you are rinsing your lenses thoroughly and following all disinfection procedures properly. A special eyelid scrub procedure might be necessary if you are not producing adequate tear chemistry. Do not wear your lenses if these symptoms continue. Contact your optometrist for further recommendations.

Continued blurry vision or light sensitivity may indicate a problem caused by:
● A dirty or damaged lens. 
● Lenses in the wrong eye. 
● Eye (corneal) abrasion. 
● Eye infection. 
● Need for prescription change.

Always feel comfortable in contacting your Doctor if you experience problems or if you should have any concerns.

Options for the Bifocal User
Contact lenses are generally designed to correct the distance vision, leaving the eye itself to focus additionally for near vision. However, as people age, the focusing ability of the eye gradually declines. Usually in the early forties, this becomes noticeable, and reading material has to be held further away to be able to focus on it. Eyestrain symptoms and headache can occur. In people who do not use contact lenses, a bifocal prescribed in glasses can eliminate any problems with reading. However, what options are available for contact lens users?

Reading Glasses
This is the simplest option for reading with contact lenses in: using reading glasses over top of the lenses. However, most contact lens users prefer to avoid glasses use, and it may be difficult to keep up with a pair of reading glasses when the distance vision is clear with contact lenses.

Monovision
This refers to using one eye for distance vision, and one eye for near vision. Usually the non-dominant eye is set for reading (usually the left eye). Advantages of this system include the ability to read and see at distance without glasses using relatively inexpensive contact lenses. Disadvantages include a loss of depth perception and the possibility of eyestrain symptoms. Some people are simply not comfortable with this arrangement.

Bifocal Contact Lenses
A bifocal contact lens can be used in one or both eyes to maximize both near and distance vision. Unfortunately, sometimes clear reading vision comes with some sacrifice of clear distance vision. Probably on 50% of people successfully use bifocal contact lenses, and they are among the most expensive of contact lenses.

Disposable Contact Lens Use
Disposable contact lenses can be a useful option for some contact lens users, and there seems to be a trend toward increased use of this type of lens. Even disposable lenses that are discarded on a daily basis are available, although most people use the type of lens that is discarded after 2 weeks. Some reasons and situations for which disposable lenses may be useful include:

● Rapid deposit formation on lenses, with or without the development of giant papillary conjunctivitis.

● Having to replace contact lenses frequently, whether it be because of lens deterioration, damage, or the losing of lenses.

● Sensitivity to solutions used to clean or disinfect lenses.

● Difficulty in finding another type of lens that is equally comfortable for an individual.

Some problems associated with disposable lenses include:
● A higher risk of infection (corneal ulcer), whether or not the lenses are used extended wear.

● A higher cost than most lenses. At wholesale cost, the 8 six-pack boxes needed to replace a lens every two weeks costs about $150 a year. One may be able to buy 4 sets of daily wear lenses at this cost.

● A tendency to abuse the use of the lenses, such as wearing a lens for more than two weeks, an absence of lens disinfection, and wearing the lenses in situations not usually recommended, such as swimming. (These factors may lead to the increased risk of infection).

● Problems using the lens with dry eye. Disposable lenses require more eye fluid to keep them hydrated.

There are definite situations where disposable lenses are appropriate, and some situations where they should be avoided. Exercising caution with the use of any contact lens helps to prevent complications.

Extended Wear Contact Lens Use
Many people are able to wear lenses continuously for many days with no apparent problem or complication. However, sleeping in contact lenses, while convenient, substantially increases the risk for infection and other complications. The oxygen supply to the cornea drops overnight while wearing a contact lens. This can lead to swelling of the cornea (giving blurred vision or the visualization of rainbows around lights), breakdown of the corneal surface, and ultimately infection of the cornea (ulcer). This risk is high enough that many eyecare providers discourage against the use of contact lenses on an extended wear basis. If the lenses are used this way, extreme caution should be taken, and the lenses should be removed with any sign of trouble (eye redness, pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, etc.) In fact, it may be reasonable to consider refractive surgery as an alternative to extended wear contact lens use.

Contact Lenses and Make-Up
If you wear contact lenses, you know that you have to be super-careful about what kinds of makeup you use. The odd flake of mascara fiber or the wrong eye pencil can make you eyes puff up or feel like they're on fire. As well as being painful, that 100% bloodshot look also won't win you any beauty contests. Here's how to minimize the chances of makeup irritating your eyes when you're wearing your lenses.

Should you Insert your Lenses Before or After Applying Makeup?
The answer to this question will depend on your lens prescription. If you have a very strong prescription, and simply can't focus without corrective help, you don't have much choice - you'll have to apply your makeup with the lenses in.
If, however, your vision problem is less severe, it's far preferable to apply makeup FIRST and then insert your lenses. This way, any tiny flakes, powder granules or other fallout from your makeup can be dealt with before they fall into your eyes. If you apply your makeup with the lenses already in, you risk having to remove them again, clear your lens of the irritating object, flush your eye with water, and start again.

What Kinds of Makeup are Best for Contact Lens Wearers?
Regardless of whether you apply your makeup before or after you insert your lenses, there are two golden rules you should follow when wearing makeup with contacts. Stop and think about - number one - the consistency, and - number two - the ingredients of a product before you buy it. This rule applies to everything you are going to be putting on your face, and not just around your eyes.

Face Powder
Let's start with powder. If you use a large brush or powerpuff to dust loose translucent powder over your face, it's inevitable that many of the powder particles are only loosely attached to your face. This will be most noticable when you first apply it, of course (just think about how your black sweater looks after you apply powder with a brush), but particles will continue to fall off long after you've brushed off that sweater. There is a very good chance that at least one or two will fall into your eyes, and cause them to become irritated and red.

There are two ways to get around this problem. The first is to replace the loose powder with pressed powder. Apply sparingly to the nose, forehead and chin - those areas that are first to show shine - and try to stay away from the eye area. Although you still run some risk with pressed powder, the particles are at least not free-falling, and are pressed rather than brushed onto your skin.

The other option is to use a foundation and powder in one. These products have a moist consistency when you are applying them, and then set into a powdery finish. It's a good idea to experiment with the combination powder/foundation, and see if you like both the finish and levels of coverage. Although some brands of powder/foundation makeup can tend to create a mask-like effect, the better quality ones can solve the problem of powder particles falling into your eyes.

Eye Makeup
Waterproof eyeliner and mascara are good, safe options for contact lens wearers. Your eyes may water after you insert your lenses, and you don't want to undo all the good makeup work you've just done. If your eyes dry out during the course of the day or evening, you may need to use a wetting eyedrop product to make the lenses more comfortable to wear. Waterproof eye makeup is the only kind which will stand up to so much liquid in and around the eye.

Your mascara needs to have two magic phrases on its label: "hypo-allergenic" and "safe for use by contact lens wearers". You want to seize every opportunity to minimize the risk of irritation when you're wearing lenses, so don't take a chance on a mascara which may cause an allergic reaction.
Some mascaras can build up the thickness and length of your lashes with silicone and fibers. Save these products for the times when you are not wearing your lenses. If one of these lash-building particles falls into your eyes, you will need to get to a bathroom fast, so that you can get the lens out of your eye and put an end to the intense pain!

Hair products
Many contact lens wearers don't realize that their hair products are the source of their irritated eyes. Pay attention to what kinds of styling aids you're using when you'll be wearing lenses. If your hair is likely to hang around or into your eyes, pull back on the gel-wax or styling spray. It's very easy for these highly perfumed, sticky products to wreak havoc on sensitive eyes.

If you're using hairspray, go into a different room, and make sure your eyes are shut before you depress that nozzle. When you've finished, back away from the cloud of spray, still with your eyes shut, and quickly leave the room. You don't need to experience the stinging agony of a fine spray of hair product settling over your lenses.

There's no denying that wearing contact lenses complicates your choice of makeup products. However, with some inside knowledge, it's not difficult to choose products which minimize the risk of irritation and infection. Now you can not only look your best, but you'll be able to see more than three feet in front of you at the same time!

Contact Lens Care
Contact lens wearers have an increased risk for serious eye infections and injury to the cornea. Symptoms of possible problems with contacts include redness, pain or burning in the eye, drainage, blurred vision, or extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia). If you are having problems, remove your lenses and disinfect them. If symptoms persist longer than 2 to 3 hours after removing and cleaning your contacts, call your eye doctor.

Daily-Wear Lenses
Daily-wear soft lenses are removed and cleaned at night and reinserted in the morning. They take less time to get used to than hard lenses, but they are less durable.

Extended-Wear Lenses
Extended-wear lenses can be worn for up to a week at a time, day and night. They are then removed, cleaned, and reinserted. However, some people cannot tolerate the extended wear; their eyes become irritated if the contacts are not regularly removed and cleaned. Extended use may be uncomfortable and increases the risk of damaging the eye.

The recommended wearing time for extended-wear lenses has been shortened from 30 days to 7 days because of the increased risk of eye infections. Ideally, one should never sleep in contact lenses.

Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
Gas-permeable lenses cost more than conventional hard lenses and are somewhat less durable, but they are more comfortable than conventional hard lenses. Some gas-permeable lenses are designed for extended wear (overnight, up to 7 days), although many eye specialists advise against wearing them for the extended period.

Avoiding Contact Lens Problems
Contact lenses can cause eye problems, such as damage to the cornea or eye infections. It is important to follow the directions for cleaning and wearing these lenses to avoid eye problems.

● Follow the cleaning instructions for your lenses. Keep your lenses and anything that touches them—hands, storage containers, solution bottles, makeup—very clean. Wash your hands before handling your contacts.

● Use a commercial saline solution. (Generic brands are just as good as name brands.)   Homemade solution is easily contaminated with bacteria.

● If your contact lens cleaning solution becomes contaminated, throw it away and buy new solution.

● Do not wet your contact lenses in your mouth.

● Insert your contacts before applying eye makeup. Do not apply makeup to the inner rim of the eyelid. Replace eye makeup supplies every 3 to 6 months to reduce the risk of contamination.

● When worn for long periods of time, extended-wear lenses are more likely to cause severe eye infections. If you choose to wear them, follow the wearing and cleaning schedule your doctor recommends.

● Visit your eye care professional once a year to check the condition of your lenses and the health of your eyes.

● Contact lenses, especially soft lenses, may absorb eye drops. If you use eye medications, leave your lenses out for about 30 minutes after using the eye drops to avoid problems.

Tips for Total Comfort
Disposable, extended-wear, soft, hard, gas-permeable. Whatever kind of contact lenses you wear, it's still a foreign object in your eye. So it only makes sense that to avoid problems--like redness, irritation and infection--your eyes need special attention. You already know that. But what you may not know is that being female can create a unique set of problems.

Hormonal changes that occur as a result of pregnancy and menopause can make your perfect-wear lenses suddenly less than perfect. And some ingredients found in makeup and hair spray can stray into your lens-covered eyes and cause infections and can lead to temporary impair vision. The chemicals in hair spray coat your lenses as they coat your hair, and if you sprayed hair spray on your car windshield, it would be hard to see through.

And then there are universal problems. Almost everyone who wears lenses has experienced dryness, redness or irritation from a piece of grit trapped under a lens.

What You Should Do When You Have A Problem: What To Do Right Away
When your contacts find you literally crying for help, here's what to do:

● Remove the lens. If you try to tough it out and leave an uncomfortable lens in your eye, it will increase the irritation and may lead to infection. If a lens feels uncomfortable, remove it.

● Rinse, clean and (maybe) reinsert. If you pop a dirty lens back in your eye, you may not get rid of the irritant, and you could end up with an infection. So make sure that you clean it with a sterile saline solution. Remember, bacteria live in 'clean' water and distilled water is not sterile water. Use commercially prepared and an approved contact lens solution or sterile saline solution.

● Make sure your lenses are in correctly. An inverted soft lens (inserted with the convex curve against your eye) will feel uncomfortable. Soft contact lenses are made to feel very comfortable on the eye. You know that you have it in wrong if your eye feels really uncomfortable. Take it out and check it.

● Right lens, right eye? If your lenses feel okay but your vision is blurry, check that the left lens is in the left eye and the right lens is in the right eye.

● If your vision is still blurry, take out your lenses. Protein deposits can film up your lenses, making it seem like you're looking through a smeary windshield. Once protein deposits settle on your lenses, cleaning won't help. You'll need a new pair. This process of accumulation may take months or years, depending on how meticulous you are, among other factors. Those who have seasonal allergies will build up deposits more quickly. It also happens to those who aren't as meticulous with their lens-cleaning.

● Look for specks. Eyelashes, bits of makeup, grit, sand and, yes, even bugs can get in your eyes, causing contact lens discomfort. To get them out, remove your lens, rinse your eye and lens with a sterile saline solution and reinsert the lens.

● Refresh with artificial tears. They'll remoisten your eye and help flush out debris that you can't see.

● If it still hurts, take it out again. If you continue to wear a lens that hurts, you might scratch your cornea, the eye's front window. Cuts and scratches are painful. And they can develop into a secondary infection, causing scarring and resulting in a very hazy window. The eye should feel comfortable without the lens, and if it doesn't, don't reinsert the lens.

● If the pain or discomfort doesn't subside within 30 minutes, make an appointment right away so that you can rule out serious conditions like corneal infections. It's a good idea to always carry a pair of glasses and your lens case for just these types of situations.

What You Should Do When You Have A Problem: When to Seek Medical Care
If you experience redness, blurred vision, pain, or light sensitivity, you should contact your ophthalmologist or optometrist (only if allowed to treat eye problems). Normally, you will need to be seen that day. If you need to seek help, it is best to try to contact your eye doctor during the day, rather than waiting until evening or late at night.

Most doctors are available 24 hours a day via their answering service. If your ophthalmologist is not available, you should be seen by the ophthalmologist on call, or go to a hospital’s emergency room.

Optometrists and opticians may or may not provide 24-hour availability. If not available, you should ask about the routine if a problem develops after regular office or store hours. Many have an ophthalmologist to whom they refer medical problems; others may tell you to go to a hospital's emergency department.

Because of the specialized nature of eye examination equipment, contact lens problems are best handled in an ophthalmologist's office.

If you cannot contact your ophthalmologist or if your fitter does not manage contact lens problems, you may have to go to an emergency department in the event of significant eye pain, blurred vision, and redness.

Finding a "Lost" Lens
Lenses can't really get lost in your eye. A thick membrane called the conjunctiva keeps the lens from going behind your eye to your brain. But a lens can slip off your cornea and under your upper lid, where it seems to disappear.

You may have to try more than one tactic to retrieve the prodigal lens. 
Here's what to do, and in this order...

● Rewet your eye. One or two drops of artificial tears can help unstick a lens, especially if your eyeball is dry.

● Or exert gentle pressure. If your lens has slipped off your cornea and onto the flatter part of your eyeball, don't put your finger in your eye. Close your eye, press lightly on the lens underneath your eyelid and guide the lens back onto your cornea, which is more curved to keep your lens in place.

● Remember... "If in doubt, take them out!"

Contact Lens Related Problems
Listed below are some of the possible conditions or problems associated with contact lens wear or over-wear. Please contact us if you have any questions about these conditions or if you should develop any problems with your contact lenses.

Lens Comfort Problems
There are many reasons why a contact lens may be uncomfortable to wear, including underlying eye disease and other contact lens complications discussed on this page. In cases where the eyes are healthy and the contact lenses are new, there is always the possibility that a lens is defective. Generally, if a lens of a given brand and curvature has been worn successfully in the past without problem, a new and uncomfortable lens makes one strongly suspicious of an abnormally curved lens, or a lens with a scratch or other defect. Since most manufacturers (and online contact lens providers) offer a warrantee for defective lenses, it may be reasonable to return the lens for replacement or refund. Usually the lens must be returned in the bottle in which it was sent in order to get credit. In cases of new gas permeable or hard lenses, sometimes the lens can be smoothed or polished to improve the comfort.

If a new lens of a different brand than has been worn before is uncomfortable, the problem may be with the fit (tightness) of the lens, the thickness of the lens, and the edge design of the lens. Some soft contact lenses have a very high oxygen permeability (extended wear type lenses), and these may be more comfortable for some people. However, these lenses also demand more ocular lubrication to keep them hydrated and moist, so eyes which are somewhat dry may not be comfortable with this type of lens. If a lens is too tight, the cornea may become starved for oxygen, leading to discomfort. On the other hand, a lens that is too loose may irritate the eye due to excessive movement with blinking. Finally, certain characteristics of lenses (thickness and edge design) may be simply uncomfortable for some people. It may take a follow-up examination by your doctor to distinguish between these problems.

An old lens that becomes uncomfortable may be developing deposits on the lens, scratches or nicks in the lens, or problems with the tears lubricating the surface of the lens. People are different with how long a given lens will remain comfortable, and good care of lenses will usually extend the life of a lens. Having to replace lenses frequently due to rapid protein deposit formation or other problems is a good reason to consider disposable lenses.

As mentioned above, the development of an underlying eye disorder not related to the contact lenses can make their use uncomfortable. Some conditions include eye allergy, dry eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, eyelid problems, iritis, phlyctenulosis, and pterygium. Pregnancy or hormonal changes are known to cause difficulty in contact lens use in women. Finally, other contact lens complications discussed below can cause discomfort with lens use.

Wearing Time Problems
People can develop problems with being unable to wear a lens as long as they would like. Sometimes this problem is simply related to external problems such as a high pollen count or being in an environment with poor air quality or low humidity. In cases where it becomes increasingly difficult to wear an older lens as long as previously, the lens may be developing protein deposits or other defects. Hard or gas-permeable lenses can often be polished, and will be comfortable to wear again, while soft lenses usually have to be replaced.

Some people are unable to wear any type of lens for the entire day, but can only wear the lens for a limited period of time. In cases where the eyes are somewhat dry, the use of rewetting drops (preferably preservative-free) can extend the time that the lenses can be used. Some people need to remove the lenses at some point during the day, such as lunchtime, and can then subsequently wear them longer during the afternoon. If one is having a problem with the wearing time of lenses, it is usually a good idea to have an eye examination to rule out any other potential problem such as infection or allergy. A lens case with solution should be carried if the lenses need to be removed during the day, since wearing a lens longer than it is comfortable can lead to disaster. One should never put a contact lens in tap water, or in solutions not designed for lens storage or disinfection.

Vision Problems
Contact lenses are better at correcting certain types of vision problems than others. Simple nearsightedness or farsightedness is usually easily corrected using contact lenses, but astigmatism can be more challenging to correct, especially with soft lenses. Contact lenses have varying success in correcting the need for reading glasses, with bifocal contact lenses being successful in only about 50% of people.

Toric soft lenses have an astigmatism correction built into the lens, but rotation of the lens can lead to a shifting of the astigmatism correction, and temporarily blurred vision. For people with severe or irregular astigmatism, gas-permeable lenses or hard lenses may offer better visual results. Irregular astigmatism is a situation where the cornea is distorted due to a scar or underlying disorder. Sometimes rigid contact lenses are the ONLY way to correct the vision in these cases, as even glasses will not help (as in keratoconus).

Many people who use contact lenses may experience halos around lights at night, and sometimes ghost images. This probably is a normal phenomenon in most people, and occurs when the pupil is larger (or more dilated) than the optical area of a soft lens, or of the lens itself in cases of rigid lenses. However, seeing a rainbow around lights indicates swelling of the cornea (corneal edema), and indicates that the lenses have been in too long and should be removed.

Blurred vision in one eye or the other with a contact lens that was previously clear could indicate a more serious eye problem, and should be checked by your doctor. Of course, it is possible that lenses can become switched between the eyes, but usually this is fairly obvious. An older lens can develop deposits and other surface problems which can make the vision not only blurry, but also can make the lens uncomfortable to wear.

Contact Lens Allergy
The fact that a contact lens is constantly touching the eye leads to the possibility of an allergy developing to the lens material, deposits on the lens, or to solutions used with the lens. The conjunctiva is a thin membrane which lines the white surface of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Soft lenses usually extend somewhat onto the conjunctiva outside of the cornea. The inside of the eyelids are also in contact with lenses especially during blinking. The conjunctiva contains cells which can rapidly respond to allergens, leading to redness, itching, tearing or discharge, and a general inability to wear a contact lens.

A common source of allergy is a preservative found in the contact lens solutions. Thimerasol was used frequently as a preservative in the past, but severe allergic problems developed. Now, benzalkonium chloride and EDTA are common preservatives found in contact lens solutions. If one develops an allergy or sensitivity to these preservatives, symptoms of allergy (redness, itching, discharge) frequently develop especially when the lens is first inserted, or when rewetting drops containing these preservatives are used. Solutions marked as being for "sensitive eyes" usually contain no less preservatives than other solutions. If a lens solution allergy is suspected, switching to a preservative free lens disinfection system may help.

Developing an allergy to protein deposits on lenses is common, and this may lead to a condition called "giant papillary conjunctivitis". (see below) Regular enzyme cleaning may help prevent this complication, but often lenses with deposits need to be replaced. Rarely, one can develop an allergy to lens material itself, and trying a different brand, or switching to a rigid type of lens may help.

A more unusual but common allergy problem is the development of an allergy to bacteria present on the edge of the eyelid. These bacteria produce toxins which become trapped in the tears, especially beneath a contact lens.

Lens Deposits
Protein deposits can frequently form on both soft and rigid types of lenses. With soft lenses, the regular use of enzyme cleaners as well as proper disinfection and daily cleaning of lenses can help prevent the protein deposition. Rigid lenses may develop deposits especially during seasons with high pollen counts, and polishing the lenses usually will buff off any deposits.

When a lens develops deposits, the eye can become irritated, itchy, and red. Wearing time may be decreased, and the vision may be somewhat blurred. Complications such as "giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)" may occur, which can limit the use of contact lenses for an extended period of time. Once deposits form on a soft lens, the lens usually has to be replaced. Rapid development of deposits on lenses is a valid reason to consider disposable lenses. Some contact lenses, like CSI brand lenses, are resistant to deposit formation.

Other Potential Contact Lens Problems
There are many more contact lens related complications, some more serious then others, some with symptoms others without symptoms. It is therefore recommended that you see your doctor every year.

You should see your practitioner immediately if you have the following symptoms:

● Eye irritation
● Red eye
● Excessive tearing
● A mucous discharge or drainage
● Unusual sensitivity to light
● Sudden blurry vision
● Pain
● Intolerance to your contact lenses

Contact Lens Complications

Tight Lens Syndrome
Normally a contact lens should move slightly on the surface of the eye with blinking or eye movement. Soft lenses usually move a few millimeters with a blink, while rigid lenses (gas-permeable or hard lenses) move more. This movement allows tears to circulate across the surface of the eye, helping to provide oxygen to the cornea. Of course, some oxygen can diffuse directly through a contact lens also (more so in soft lenses and disposable extended wear lenses). For different reasons, a contact lens during the course of the day may begin to fit more tightly onto the surface of the eye. This may be because the lens was too tight fitting to begin with, or it may be related to increasing drying of the lens and eye as the day proceeds. If the lens reaches a point where it stops moving on the eye, several things may happen. The oxygen transmission to the cornea will begin to drop, and the cornea may begin to swell (corneal edema). This leads to further tightening of the lens on the eye, with a further worsening of swelling. Symptoms during this period may include redness, eye irritation or burning, and a dry sensation. The vision may begin to blur, and halos or rainbows may be seen around sources of light.

The use of rewetting drops may help prevent this cycle of lens tightening onto the eye, and may help to prevent complications. The fit of the lens may need to be checked as well, and sometimes a new lens is needed. Once the lens has tightened onto the eye enough to cause symptoms, the lens should be carefully removed. Lubricating drops should be placed several times to help loosen the lens before removal. Sometimes removal of a tight lens can lead to a painful corneal abrasion, which would require further treatment by an ophthalmologist. Another risk of the tight contact lens syndrome is of infection, or corneal ulcer.

Corneal Ulcers
This is the most serious of all contact lens complications as it can seriously effect your vision and even cause blindness. Soft lens wearers have a greater risk then Gas permeable wearers. Sleeping with your extended wear soft lenses exposes you to the greatest risk and is therefore not recommended. Micro-organisms enters the cornea causing the infection. Many ulcers are caused by unhygienic handling of your contact lenses. Your contact lens case should be kept clean and changed every 3 months. Your lenses should be cleaned daily and disinfected according to the instructions of the solution manufacturers. If your practitioner provides you with an alternative instruction, follow this carefully. Discard old lenses and damaged lenses.

The development of a corneal ulcer (an infection of the cornea) unfortunately is a common complication of contact lens use. Soft contact lenses have a higher risk of corneal ulcer than rigid lenses, but all lenses have some risk. Disposable contact lenses worn extended wear were found to have a much higher risk of corneal ulcer than any other type of lens, for reasons that are not fully understood. A corneal ulcer starts when a bacteria (or rarely a fungus or parasite) infects an area of breakdown in the corneal surface. The surface may break down, forming a small corneal abrasion, due to routine lens use. Overwear of lenses, improper cleaning of lenses, extended wear use of lenses, and overly tight lenses may increase the risk of developing this surface breakdown. Normally, a corneal abrasion, even if tiny, is uncomfortable. However, a contact lens can act as a bandage on the eye masking symptoms, and some contact users develop a lack of sensitivity of the cornea.

Once an infection begins, most people experience severe symptoms. The eye typically becomes red and painful. There may be tearing or discharge and sensitivity to light. The vision may be variably blurred. There are other disorders which can cause these symptoms, but the risk of corneal ulcer in contact lens users is such that the most important thing to do initially is to remove the contact lens. An appointment should be arranged immediately with an ophthalmologist to determine if an infection is present. A corneal ulcer needs to be treated intensively with antibiotic eyedrops, and often a culture of the infected cornea, or of the lens or lens case is performed. Frequent follow-up appointments will help the ophthalmologist determine if the infection is being adequately treated with the antibiotics. Usually a week or two of antibiotic eyedrops is needed, and contact lenses cannot be worn during this time.

A successfully treated corneal ulcer may still leave a scar which could affect the vision. It is important to avoid situations which can lead to corneal ulcer, such as overwear of lenses, poor disinfection techniques, swimming with contact lenses in, and ignoring symptoms of pain or redness.

Corneal Warping
"Warpage" of the cornea refers to a distortion in the shape of the cornea, usually due to the use of rigid contact lenses, and especially poorly fitting rigid lenses. The type of lens most notorious for this is the "hard" type of lens, which is a non-gas-permeable lens made of a plastic called PMMA. This type of lens is still used today successfully by many people. However, the lens is known to flatten out the cornea, often reducing or eliminating astigmatism. When lens use is discontinued, the cornea will try to spring back to its original shape. Thus, it may be impossible to find a glasses prescription that will consistently give clear vision for times when the contact lens is not in. Often only the contact lens itself can give clear vision. A condition known as "irregular astigmatism" refers to an irregular curvature of the cornea, usually caused by poorly fitting rigid lenses.

It may take several weeks of not using a contact lens for the cornea to return to its normal curvature. At this time, the proper fitting measurements can be made to determine the shape of a contact lens needed which will not distort the shape of the cornea.

Corneal Swelling (Edema)
Corneal edema, or swelling, occurs when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen reaching the cornea due to contact lens wear. Essentially, the cornea becomes smothered by the lens. Sleeping in contact lenses, as with extended wear lenses, greatly increases the risk of corneal edema. In this situation, even less oxygen reaches the cornea because the eyelid is closed over it. Also, the normal blinking of the eye is not present, which helps tears and oxygen to circulate under the lens.

Symptoms of corneal edema included blurred or foggy vision, seeing rainbows around lights, redness, and possibly irritation or pain. Complications of corneal edema include corneal abrasion, a tight lens syndrome (see above), and corneal ulcer or infection. Generally, a lens should not be worn if symptoms of corneal edema are occurring.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
This is probably one of the most common problems related to contact lens wear. It is generally thought to be caused by a reaction to protein deposits on contact lenses. Typically a patient who has been wearing soft contact lenses for years without any problems, suddenly develops an intolerance to the lens.

GPC Symptoms:
● Itchy eyes
● Excessive contact lens movement
● Excessive mucous discharge from the eye
● Treatment of Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

In most cases, treatment of giant papillary conjunctivitis involves discontinuing the use of contact lenses to allow the eye to recover. This may be for several days or several weeks. More severe cases may require even longer to resolve.

Changing to disposable contact lenses help because it is the debris and protein on lenses that trigger GPC. the type of lenses worn helps. Also, changing to a peroxide contact lens solution system usually helps. The chemicals and preservatives found in many other types of solution systems can also trigger GPC. Prescription eye drops can help alleviate the symptoms, especially the itchy feeling.

Follow-up care is important. GPC is difficult to control. If the condition is not treated properly and steps taken to prevent a recurrence, it can become a chronic condition. It may, in advanced cases, prevent further use of contact lenses.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) is a type of allergic reaction, usually to protein deposits on contact lenses. Since these deposits are more common with soft contact lens use, GPC is more common with soft lenses also. Sometimes GPC can occur as a reaction to the presence of a lens itself, or in reaction to lens solutions used. GPC is visible as large lumps beneath the upper eyelid (usually). These lumps can interfere with lens use, as they may "grab" the lens when the upper eyelid blinks over the lens. Other symptoms include itching, discharge, and redness.

Regular enzyme treatments and proper contact lens cleaning techniques may reduce the chance of GPC. The use of preservative-free solutions can help as well. However, once GPC develops, the use of contact lenses often must be temporarily discontinued while the condition resolves. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy eye medications may help to speed resolution and to ease symptoms. Frequent cases of GPC due to protein deposits on lenses may be prevented by using disposable lenses, since these do not have a chance to build up the deposits.

Eye Redness
The development of eye redness with contact lens use is always a warning sign. At the least, it may mean that the lenses have been in too long, and should be removed. Many conditions can cause eye redness, but contact lens use makes certain problems more likely. Often, a red eye with contact lens use is treated like a case of conjunctivitis (pink eye), when actually the redness may be due to a contact lens related allergy or infection. Some common causes of a red eye with contact lens use include:

● Lens allergy, lens solution allergy, or allergy to protein build-up on lenses.

● Lens overwear with corneal edema, with corneal drying or a tight contact lens syndrome.

● Interaction of bacterial toxins (from the eyelids) trapped beneath the contact lens leading to corneal irritation (phlyctenulosis).

● Corneal ulcer.

● Giant papillary conjunctivitis.

● Poorly fitting or defective contact lenses.

Eye redness associated with contact lens use should not be ignored, and the eye should be examined by an ophthalmologist to determine the cause.