Using RGP Contact Lens. Noticed Red Line In White Portion Of Eye. Suggest What To Do

Posted on Mon, 24 Sep 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 Answered on

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : hi doctor,i am using RGP contact lens for 8 years,doctors have advised me to use for 6-8 hrs a day.but i have used for a longer time than specified last month,the white portion of the right eye had red lines (some thing like conjuctivitis),it lasted for 3-5 days,then the was normal,i consulted the local doctor,she told me ,its a mild allergy n she prescribed L-PRED drops and not to use contact lens for 10 days,but i used lens and stopped the drops within 3 days,but i used lens with limited timings,now after 20 days,when i use lens for more than 5 hrs or when i strain(like crying) my eyes get red lines,and very mil burning at the corner and gets normal over a time when i stop straining.please suggest me what to do,awaiting your reply at the earliest.

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (7 hours later)

dear XXXXXX,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
Even good quality contact lenses can over a period of time start giving you some trouble.
Such local drops with steroids should be avoided.
A word of caution,do not put in any drops in the eye with lenses on,as the salt may deposit on the lens and start irritating.
In situations like this you can use astringent eye drops ,after removing the lens.
You are fine and apparently your lenses are also behaving well.
Please do get back to me in case of any further query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (34 minutes later)

thank u for the reply,i have discontinued the contact lens for a week starting from yesterday(23.9.12),my eyes are normal,but i feel a mild burning at one corner of the right eye only when i sit at the computer or strain,but it goes normal in few minutes.as doctor advised am using olopat eye drops for a week.suggest me whether i am right or not.i have no problem in my vision.my doubt is why is that burning sensation persists.

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (16 hours later)

Dear XXXXXX,
thanks for getting back to us .
after you have used olopat for the prescribed time you can use some lubricating drops like tears naturale ,ccs or tears plus eye drops for a while and this will basically take care of your situation.
Again,you are fine
please get back to me in case of any further query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar