Reactions to Contact Lens Solutions

Contact lenses are a popular form of vision correction. In some cases, however, lens wearers may suffer from an allergic reaction that is more likely to be caused by the solution used to clean and store the lenses. These reactions have multiple symptoms and causes.

Symptoms

• Contact lens solutions can cause redness and sometimes swelling.

  Contact allergic conjunctivitis is an irritation of the conjunctive membrane that covers the eye. Symptoms include redness, excess tear production, itching and irritation where the eye touches the lens. The sensation that a foreign object has become trapped under the lens is also a common symptom.

  A more serious condition is called giant papillary conjunctivitis. This allergy results in swelling of the eye and eyelid, and can often lead an optometrist to recommend discontinuation of contact lens use.

Causes

• One common cause of eye irritation in contact lens wearers is an allergy to some ingredient of the solution itself. In many cases, the preservatives that keep the solution stable over time may be causing the reaction.

  In other cases, however, the container that houses the lenses may be a catalyst. There may be an undiscovered allergy to the materials used to make the case, or it may be that the case needs to be cleaned out thoroughly or replaced by a newer container. In addition, lens solution is not an impermeable medium. If lenses are left in the solution for too long between rinsing and wearing, they can become contaminated by bacteria or proteins that will cause a reaction.

Safe Use of Lens Solution

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that eyewash solution should be emptied every day, after each overnight disinfection cycle. It's much like emptying the water in your bathtub: After it's used, the solution is similarly dirty and not to be used again. Re-use of solution will allow bacteria and other organisms to access your contacts, and may cause allergic symptoms.

  In addition, it is not enough to simply squirt solution into a receptacle and bathe the lenses overnight. The American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend a "rub and rinse" approach to make sure all deposits are removed from the lens surface.

  Discard expired solution. Typically, a discard date is printed on each product, and should be observed to prevent the conditions that may result in a negative reaction to your lens solution.

Consultation

• Eye redness is not always caused by allergies related to contacts. In some cases, over-wearing of lenses can create similar symptoms. Before deciding on a course of action or treatment, consult your eye doctor to be certain that the cause of your discomfort is confirmed and appropriate medications and treatments are recommended.

Treatment Options

• Your doctor may prescribe eyedrops as a treatment.

  While any changes in your eye care routine should only be undertaken with the advice of a licensed physician, you can take measures when a problem is first detected.

  Avoidance is the No. 1 way to treat an allergy. If you suspect your lens solution may be causing irritation, don't wear your lenses during the interval between discovery of the condition and scheduling of an appointment with your eye doctor.

  Your doctor may prescribe eye drops that include antihistamines or anti-inflammatory ingredients, depending on her assessment of the causes of your condition. In rare cases, your doctor may treat you with corticosteroid drops, which have significant side-effects.