Topic: Whats the Opinion on Contacts? Am I reinfecting myself
tricia386
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29623
posted
I wear contacts almost everyday my eyessight is bad. It was bad before lyme. I am worried that I am reinfecting my eyes everytime I put them in. I am thinking about switching to daily disposals..
What are your opinions on this? Is there any research?
-------------------- Lyme activated in April 2010 by gardasil vaccine. DX: Lyme,Babs,Myco,Bart 11/10 Treatment Started: 3/28/11 Posts: 1752 | From Albany, NY | Registered: Dec 2010
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posted
I can tell you about my experience with this.
I began developing sudden myopia in/around 2001. At first, I believed it to be related to a new job that I had just started, which had me staring at 10-point font (which could not be altered) for 8-10 hours a day, five days each week.
My 20/15 vision began to decline rapidly, and I ended up having to wear Rx glasses. I dealt with the glasses for about one year, and then changed to Rx contact lenses (soft, monthly lenses). As my vision continued to decline, and as I began to experience various other issues with my eyes (i.e. viral/bacterial conjunctivitis, eye pain, eye twitching, increase in already-present visceral floaters, etc.), I opted to test out various other contacts (i.e. 2-week disposables, lenses containing special protective moisture-enhancing films, etc.). My eye health never improved, and my vision went down to about a -4.00/-4.25 in both eyes.
When I started experiencing issues like a tear in one of my cornea's epithelia, and severe giant papillary conjunctivitis (gpc), I knew that I had to make a change. The gpc was so bad that I could physically hear (as could others) the water/clicking sound in my eyelids as I moved them. Disgusting. That's when a newer eye doctor that I saw intervened, and actually kept me from wearing contact lenses for some 8 weeks in the summer of '10.
Of course, I resumed my contact lens wear at that point, however, my eye doctor had ensured that I would only use a special preservative-free solution (that which you must soak your lenses in for a 6-8 hour period each night). Additionally, I also changed my lens regimen to daily disposables. I thought that my eye issues would be behind me at that point.
I only received my Lyme/Babs dx in the summer of 2010, and because I had so many other issues on my plate (a crapload of far more pressing symptoms), I held off on seeing a well-versed opthamologist until the summer of 2011 (to ensure that my actual eye health had not been jeopordized by the Lyme/Babs). Although my eyes felt well enough, the doctor indicted that my gpc was so bad, that it could result in a life-long (fully chronic) condition (which is normally reversed in 1-6 weeks with treatment). Because the gpc also presented as a concern with my myopia/visceral floaters, I was strongly advised to cease contact lens wear.
This was very difficult for me to hear, to digest, and to accept. However, I slowly began to wean myself off of contact lenses, if you will, and invested in a few pairs of 'cute' glasses. It wasn't easy, and certainly not my top choice, but, nothing is when it comes to Lyme/tbd. Nowadays, I will only wear my contact lenses if I must drive in the evening for any reason (which I never do).
I have to say that today, my eyes have never felt better (I swear!), and I no longer hear the unpleasant sounds in my eyes that were once caused by the gpc. And, to end on a HUGE positive note, here...since beginning my abx/treatment therapy in '10, my vision has actually improved for the first time since 2001 (when my eyes first began to tank). I have already shaved off some level of measurement; and my eyes now stand at about -3.00 each.
I was definitely re-infecting my eyes every time I stuck a pair of contact lenses in them. Even those new pairs were posing problems.
It is worth investing in your eyes now...trust me! I am newly turned 35 years old, and because of what I went through, I now definitely fully appreciate the fact that we only get one set of peepers!
I would highly suggest seeing an opthamologist if you haven't done so already...and even better, an opthamologist who is well aware of the dangers that tick-borne diseases can pose on the eyes.
Posts: 315 | From Negative (-) to positive (+) | Registered: Nov 2011
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posted
Lymebulldog - excellent reply! Thank you for sharing your experience.
I wear daily disposables, but that started pre-lyme, and I will never go back. The only change I would make would be to go to glasses alone. I have worn contacts since I was 12, so glasses are a hard switch for me.
I think that a LL ophthalmologist would be best. My issues aren't in my eyes, but your scenario could be completely different.
Posts: 447 | From Vermont | Registered: Jan 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I wear contacts. I don't like wearing glasses, they make me feel nauseous and give me headaches even when the RX is perfect. I could never get used to them.
My eye doctor recommends "Clear Care" cleaning system. It uses hydrogen peroxide to kill all the germs and it also removes all surface proteins and dirt. You have to let the lenses sit in the cleaning container for 6hrs each night.
I also replace the contacts every 2wks.
I guess if you were really concerned and are having tons of eye problems then you might consider switching to glasses to see if your symptoms improve. For me, I'm sticking with my contacts. Glasses make me feel sicker.
See a good eye doctor for proper evaluation.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
sammy pointed out the brand of cleaning solution that I alluded to above.
It's what I used for a solid year+ prior to being told by a top-notch LL ophthalmologist (there seems to be so many variations of spelling of this word- I got this one from Wikipedia, and hope that it's right) that my case precluded me from wearing contacts. Well, if I wanted to prevent chronic scarring in my eyelids, anyways.
Trust me when I say that I so wish that I could still wear my dailies!
If my Lyme/Babs, etc. ever fully resolves, and if my eyes don't fully restore themselves at that point, then maybe I'll end up getting Lasik surgery (a procedure that I wouldn't have given any thought to several years ago) after all! Posts: 315 | From Negative (-) to positive (+) | Registered: Nov 2011
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posted
Just a heads up on Lasik.. Many who get this done suffer later from severe dry eyes.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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jackie51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14233
posted
I had lasik over 12 years ago. While I wouldn't know I have dry eyes, the ophthalmologist pointed it out the other day.
I have 20/20 vision but need 200 reading glasses.
I want to do mono vision, so in order to try one contact, I need to do drops in my eye for a week before she will put a contact in. I am in still in treatment so can't consider the lasik now but I figured I'd see if I could tolerate one contact. She said some people put in a contact and know immediately they can't tolerate mono vision, others do rather well. I'm curious where I would fit in this.
I hate wearing reading glasses, but I am fearful mono vision would give me headaches. As a lifelong headache sufferer, this would not be good. (I no longer have debilitating headaches due to treatment for Babesia.)
I'm glad this post was here. My daughter wears 2 week lenses and her yearly appt is coming up. I am going to see what daily's cost now, because maybe that's the way to go with a teenager who's had lyme. Also, maybe then we wouldn't be running out. She has difficulty getting a 2 week lense to actually last 2 weeks.
I just hadn't thought of the reinfection angle. I do with the ortho retainer.
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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tricia386
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29623
posted
I have my LLMD appt. On March 13. I plan on asking then. My eyes are very dry. You can see red veins in them. Also I have some blurry vision and floaters and light sensitivity. But i think its do to high dry they are.
I wonder what Infection causes this. Bart??
-------------------- Lyme activated in April 2010 by gardasil vaccine. DX: Lyme,Babs,Myco,Bart 11/10 Treatment Started: 3/28/11 Posts: 1752 | From Albany, NY | Registered: Dec 2010
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