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Wearing contact lenses is such a pleasant and
comfortable experience that only a few of us want to hear any bad news
about any serious side affects of using the contacts over an extended
period of time. For the most part, wearing contacts is virtually
harmless. But if you have been careless about cleaning and disinfecting
your lenses, it's high time you pay attention to it because protein
deposits on the contacts can cause Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPS).
GPS
is an allergic reaction to either the chemical of the contact lens or
the cleaning solution used. So, not only should you clean and disinfect
regularly but should also be careful about the kind of solution being
used to clean your lens. Those who are thinking of going for contacts
must make sure that the material of which the lenses are made suits them.
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis causes white lumps or giant
papillae on the inside of the upper eyelids, and may cause extensive
scarring barring you from using the contacts any further. Changing the
contacts or the solution, whichever is the guilty party, may bring some
relief, but you'll still need to stop wearing your lenses. In such
cases, the best way is to find out if you are fit for LASIK, and if you
are, go for it.
However, it is not to say that a person affected
by GPC is prohibited from wearing contacts for life, but certain
precautions have to be taken to avoid recurrence. Contacts with low
water content work for limited use coupled with strict lens hygiene. One
may also consider switching to the gas permeable variety, which lessens
the chances of the GPC. There are a few stabilizing agents that may also
be helpful in checking inflammation.
GPC is definitely a serious
affliction and may create some very real problems for the contacts
users. Prevention is the best cure in this case, too. It is important
that you clean and disinfect the lens properly besides changing it
frequently because protein deposits can be cleaned only to a certain
extent, which means the more often you change your lenses, the lesser
the chances of your suffering from the GPC. So, just be a little careful
and the contacts will stay with you for life without trouble.
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