RGP contact wearers/expertx...ever have this happen?

[Aurora63]

I normally wear my RGP's for a week, then take them out to clean on the weekend. The Dr. said this was okay. Anyway, last night my left eye started feeling sore, and bothering me...it was bad enough that I took the lens out for the night, and put it back this morning. Then I noticed (this morning, while watching TV) that both eyes were very sensitive to light...I couldn't look straight at the TV for very long at all.

Got to work, both eyes are red and irritated looking, and I'm hurting, so I take them out. However, my vision is quite blurry now, more so than normal without the lenses. Stayed like that all day. Things are still pretty blurry. I am worried I may have somehow scratched my cornea. Any thoughts? Going to the Dr tomorrow to see for sure.

 

[Bumbles]

Sounds like you have giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC). I had it a few months ago and I had the same concerns about scratching my cornea. I went to see my doctor and he said it was GPC

Here's a description of it:

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) usually affects both eyes and causes contact lens intolerance, itching, a heavy discharge, tearing and red bumps on the underside of the eyelids.

For me, everything cleared up when I switched to glasses for a week and then started with brand new lenses. (I wear disposable that I replace every 2 weeks)

Hope all goes well at your dr appt tomorrow

 

[webprinter]

It sounds to me like you may have scratched your cornea. I would definately go to the Doctor this afternoon. They may need to put in antibiotic drops and patch your eye(s). I've done it and it is not comfortable. I wear RGP lenses and have been told to take mine out every night and not sleep with them in. Debby

 

[Aurora63]

Bumbles - Wow...I hope that's what it is! Thanks for the info, I've never heard of it!

webprinter - Sadly the Dr. is out of town today...I did try, t hough.

 

[Bumbles]

FWIW, just trying to put your mind at ease, I really don't think you've managed to scratch both of your corneas. Since it's both eyes, I'd be very surprised if you don't have GPC.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Or, you might have an ulcerated cornea, but probably not, since both eyes are bothering you. I had this once, and it was bad. I had to put antibiotic drops in my eyes at regular intervals and go without contacts for quite some time, and the doc was glad we caught it early.

Eyes need oxygen and contacts prevent them from getting it. My eye doctor recommends taking your lenses out every night, even extended wear lenses. The manufacturers want to sell a product, so when they say it's OK to wear them for X number of days, that's going to be the max. But everyone's eyes are different, and some may not tolerate contacts as well as others, and some people's eyes change over time as well. I used to be able to sleep in my contacts and do fine, but now I not only need to remove them to sleep, but I need a couple of waking hours each day without contacts (this is when your eyes get the most oxygen), otherwise my contacts start to bug me.

Sorry, went off on a little tangent there, can you tell I feel strongly about this? I'm sure yours is just GPC too, since it's both eyes, but I'm glad to know you're going to the doc tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[always quiet]

I have had eye infections before and it was exactly like you described. Quite painful, sticky eyes, extremely light sensitive and even with my glasses, my vision was horrid. Eye drops and no wearing the contacts for a couple weeks cleared things up nicely.

Good luck...and remember, keep the lights low if you can! It will help with the discomfort!

Also, DO NOT use the lens again once your eyes heal...the infection will be in the lenses and once you put them back in, you'll get it all over again.

 

[Aurora63]

Hi all...turns out it was none of the above, just extra RGP irritability, and as the dr. said, my eyes telling me to take them out! I did not wear them today, and the extra blurries were gone. The dr. said there were no scratches, no infection...my eyes just needed a break.

He did say I have something called "gutada," not sure how it is spelled, but in effect it is bumps on the cornea that are very common, but in worse case scenarios require a cornea transplant! But probably not, and he will monitor it, so I will not worry about it now!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Good! I'm glad it was nothing to worry about!