Question
QUESTION: I have worn contacts for 45 years, from rigid to GP. Monovision to target bifocal about 15 years. My doc put me in weighted GP bifocal lenses and I had wonderful vision. Problem: seem to be allergic to them. Within seconds of i have problems of feeling like there is something dirty in my eye or on the lens. Within three hours I have white gunk piling up in the corners of my eyes or on the lens making vision blurred and causing eye strain.
My doc (who is having others with this problem too) had me switch solution brands, try the enzymatic drops in storage, and even ordered us a clear pair of lenses to see if that was the problem.
When I put my target GP bifocal lenses back in, I have instant relief and no problems. I have a very strong RX for nearsightedness and astigmatism.
I am beginning to think that the materials these weighted bifocals are made of is tainted or something. Have you heard of any similar problems or have any solutions?
Thank you!
ANSWER: Vicki: It sounds like the new contacts do not fit as well as your previous Target RGP contacts. When lenses do not fit well, they often times feel scratchy or gritty or "dirty" , and cause the eye to secrete more mucous and oily tears causing you to want to clean them more often. Ask to be refitted with the type you had worn previously. FYI: "weighted" contact lenses are also thicker at the bottom - often times causing irritation and intolerance. hope this helps
Dr.Ken
by the way: are you using Boston Lens Cleaner and Conditioner or the Boston Advance solutions>? sometimes a change makes a great difference.
ALSO, please understand that each gas permeable contact lens has a different wetting angle; as a result one material may wet better than another thereby causing incomplete surface coating of the tear layer across the surface of the lens and form dry spots, increasing mucous and decreasing comfort
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for the reassurance that the plastic material isn't contaminated. I have used Boston Advance for years, and my doc suggested I try Optimum by Lobob, which has improved things (wearing time wise). He even gave me a generous sample of a RX for dry eyes, and there was no improvement at all. Over the year I have used every OTC product for dry eyes and allergy eyes, with no success, the gunk continues to pile up in my eyes.
I will see him tomorrow, and ask to go back to the target bifocal, even if the clarity will be compromised. He has tried very hard to help me, patience of Job. It is probably as you say, perhaps the thickness of the weighted lenses may be the problem. Because I have very fair skin I am more prone to reactions, perhaps. I also have other "touch contact" allergies from soaps, and artificial ingredients in shampoo, etc.
He told me I wouldn't be happy going back to glasses, and I know he is right. I even tried CRT lenses, but my eyes change too much during the day. My cornea is a bit too thin and would be borderline for lasix, so I'll see how the target bf will work. I think I'm at the point where the correction difference is getting too large, and that's why we tried the weighted bifocals. They gave me 20/15, so I'm spoiled now!
Again, thank you so very much for your kind advice.
Vicki
Answer
You're very welcome Vicki. There's also the possibility of not compromising comfort and vision utilizing monovison OR a bifocal in the non-dominant eye and your distance correction in the dominant one, and/or distance contact lenses (unweighted) with reading specs for nearpoint.
