Can I Wear Contacts Using Lotemax?

You might be prescribed Lotemax because of an allergic reaction or an infection, or after eye surgery. There are several warnings associated with the use of Lotemax eye drops. If you' have had cataract surgery, glaucoma or thinning of the cornea or sclera, you should not use Lotemax. You can use your contact lenses, but you must wait a while after using Lotemax before you put soft contact lenses on your eye(s), as the drug contains a preservative that can be absorbed by your lenses.

How to Use Lotemax

• As with any prescription drug, consult your doctor before using Lotemax, and use the medication exactly as it is prescribed for you. Do not use the medication for longer than two weeks unless your doctor advises it. Do not allow the eye-dropper to touch any surface. If the tip of the dropper becomes contaminated, it can lead to vision loss or serious eye damage. Wait at least 15 minutes after you have used the eye drops before putting in soft contact lenses. Call your doctor if inflammation has not improved after two days.

  Wash your hands before using the eye drops, and shake the bottle well before you put them in your eye. To apply the drops tilt your head back slightly. Hold the dropper bottle above your eye (with the tip pointing down), and pull down your lower eyelid. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze the bottle, and allow one drop to fall in your eye, then close your eye. To prevent the liquid from draining into your tear duct, hold your finger against the corner of your eye (near your nose) for about a minute.

Possible Side Effects

• Lotemax has a number of possible side effects. You could have signs of a new infection, vision problems or severe pain (in your eyes) when you use the drops. There can be minor burning, itching or watering of the eyes. You could have a headache, become more sensitive to light or have a runny nose or sore throat. To make sure there are no ill effects on your eyes, your vision might need to be tested after more than 10 days of use. As of January 2010, you can report side effects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.