Question
Dr. Johnston,
If a person was allergic to a contact lense solution such as renu, optifree, etc etc..and it made their eyes red, but after taking it out their lenses and after 4-5 days, it's still red, but just less red and pinkish, is that still a sign of an allergic reaction or is something else going on with the eye and the solution nor the lenses are the culprit?
Also, when one solution makes the eyes red such as opti-free replenish, and then you use something like clear care once a week, as my office's receptionist suggested, then will that clear off any junk in the contacts and perhaps stop making the eyes red? I know we are never suppose to mix solutions, but if we use saline after soaking it with one solution, and using saline to wash it out, and then putting in the eye, and then for the rest of the week use opti-free to soak it, then would that help get the redness away since clear care seems so great? This is just for once a week. Will that help any? Thanks.
Kristy
Answer
There is no way to know for sure if the problem you describe in your first paragraph is due to an allergic reaction. If you have this problem, you really need to let your eye doctor see it - and preferably go in to the appointment with the contact lenses on so the doc can better determine the cause.
If Opti-Free makes your eyes red, you should either switch solutions or else rinse off the Opti-Free in the morning with unpreserved saline. But really, switching solutions would be better. Why should you be so attached to Opti-Free when there are other fine solutions around?
Now, if ALL the multipurpose solutions make your eyes red, then you really should go to Clear Care permanently, not just once a week. I see no purpose (related to red eyes anyway) in using Clear Care once a week - but then I guess it seems your office receptionist and I have a difference of opinion.
Mixing plain unpreserved saline with a multipurpose solution is no problem. But it must be the unpreserved variety. (Either it comes in an aerosol can or in a smaller, clear bottle that must be discarded every fifteen days.)
