What are allergies to the preservatives in contact lens solutions?
An allergy is the body's abnormal response to some foreign
substances. These substances (allergens) prompt nearby cells to
release chemicals that cause inflammation. Some substances in
contact lens solutions cause this response, which sometimes leads
to redness, itching, and discomfort.
How do they occur?
Allergies to substances in contact lens solutions occur when
certain products come in contact with your eyes. Preservatives can
remain in soft contact lenses after cleaning and disinfecting. Or
they can coat the surface of gas permeable ("hard") lenses. These
substances may cause your body to react in a way that produces
redness, itching, and watering of your eyes. In many people, a
preservative called thimerosal causes this reaction. Other
chemicals also can cause allergies. Reactions to thimerosal and
other chemicals may develop at any time, even after you have used
the same contact lens products for months or years. Many people
who have these reactions have no history of other types of
allergies.
How are they treated?
First, stop wearing your contact lenses for a time. You can use
eyedrops to help relieve the redness, itching, and watering of your
eyes. You can buy some eyedrops without a doctor's prescription.
Check with your doctor to see what type of drops is right for you.
Your contact lenses must be cleaned of preservatives that may be
bound to them. This may require repeated soaking, first in
distilled water and then in saline solution. Sometimes your lenses
may need professional cleaning. However, sometimes you will need
to get new lenses.
Once your lenses are clean, your eye doctor may want you to use a
different method of disinfecting your lenses.
How can I prevent allergies to contact lens solutions?
When you start wearing your contacts again, use products labeled
"Sensitive Eyes" or "Thimerosal-Free." Check the product label to
be sure that the products you use do not contain the chemicals that
may be causing your allergies.
Most people with allergies to lens solutions are able to wear
contacts again without problems. However, people who continue to
have problems may want to consider daily-wear disposable contact
lenses. These lenses are thrown out after being worn for 1 day.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2007 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
