Allergies to 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 one day.