Contact lens induced allergy

[Mark Bennister]

After 5 years in sclerals and before that 10 years in RGPs post left eye corneal graft i have been told that my eyes are allergic to lenses and i should consider a graft in the other eye. My lens wear time is not too bad but I have been using steriod drops to deal with lid inflamation for the past few months. However the inside of my lids apparently look like cobble stones a sign of reaction to lenses. I had mistakenly (or deliberately) considered the irritation to be caused by season allergic reactions or dust etc etc. I am not so keen to go through a graft as my sight with sclerals is pretty good, however when I realistically think of my quality of life, it is hampered by sore red irritated eyes for large periods of time. There have been many postings about grafts after reduction in site, but has anyone experienced similar reactions to lenses? and so had to consider graft
Mark

[Rob Armstrong]

Hi Mark,

I recently had very sore, red eyes (same last summer) and went down to the casualty clinic at the eye department I attend, as I was concerned about my grafted eye. (I don't wear lenses anymore).

I was told that underneath my eyelids looked irritated (as you describe) and that it was probably caused by pollen, and that the reason my right eye was much worse was because the graft made it more susceptible to such things.

I was told to get more Hypromellose eye drops to moisten my eyes (got Systane instead - much more effective) and told to keep my appointment for about 6 weeks later.

Turned out I had 3 broken stitches! I wasn't too pleased as I had specifically mentioned this possibility when I attended the casualty clinic.

Anyway, have you got any remaining stitches left in your grafted eye that could account for the irritation? Apparantly broken sticthes can be easily missed.

I know from your post it appears both eyes are affected, so there's a good chance my post is irrelevant, but I just didn't like the thought of someone being sent off to theatre for another graft when it may not be necessary! Especially when you say your wear time/vision is otherwise OK.

Rob.

PS. Looks like Systane bought me a few weeks of relevant comfort despite broken stitches - that's some seriously good stuff!

[jayuk]

Hi Mark

Have you tried Piggy Back lenses?....As I am sure you know having a graft does take you out of action for a bit and from what you have said (good vision from sclerals) I would suspect you will get the equivalent or better vision with piggy backs.

My left eye is also now a candidte for a graft as any lens I have put in has caused mass irritation. However..I have had reasonable success with Piggy Backs where the Sclerals and other RGPs have not bee so great at this stage of the KC road.

Id def explore this route.....as you have very little to lose in not trying it I guess...

[GarethB]

Hi Mark,

Prior to the confrence I was told I had had a reaction to my lenses. However at the time of the confrence a microbiology friend had analysed my lens solutions and said there was a large amount of pollen so I thought it pollen induced. Since had repeat episodes which was not pollen induced. Due to KC in the old cornea distorting the graft, it is too high risk for me to have another graft as the KC is too close to the edge. Partial graft out of th question as this would mean my right eye would contain corneal tissue from two other sources as well as my own!

Systane has really helped keep this under control so the only issue I have now is the right eye lens fit. My RGP lenses are made out of different materials. There is at least 6 different materials our lenses are made from, all which are grouped as RGP. My left eye gives the most irritation due to an alergic reaction, but Systane controls this so I have 12 - 14 hours regular lens wear. Forget to use Systane, I am down to 4 hours lens wear within a couple of days.

The right lens material is made by Polymer Technology who also do the Bauche & Lombe range of solutions. The lens material is composed of aliphatic fluoroitaconate siloxanyl methacrylate copolymer with an ultra violet absorber (Uvinul D-49). This informatios is from the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for my right lens. This is available on request from your lens supplier, the optomotrist should be able to say who manufactures your lenses and where the raw material comes from.

Hope this helps.

[paula hardman]

I used to get a problem but this turned out to be the solutions - nowadays I always wash the protein remover off with saline and sometimes I was the conditioner off as well.