Are you a contact lens wearer? If so, you may sometimes have itchy, red eyes, and a feeling of discomfort as if something dirty or dusty has gotten inside them? Your eyes may feel heavy and sleepy. If you have these symptoms, it could be due to a condition called 'Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis', which we are going to talk about today. Don't be afraid of the long name, let's keep it simple, like talking to a friend.
What is this (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis)?
Simply put, this (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis) is a condition where there is a thin membrane on the inside of your eyelids, which we also call the conjunctiva in medical terms, that becomes inflamed . It's like when our skin gets injured somewhere, it swells and becomes red. When the inside of the eyelids gets inflamed like this, little bumps (papillae) , like little blisters, form there. These bumps can sometimes get a little bigger, which is why the English word 'giant' is added to it, which means "big".
In fact, this condition is quite common among contact lens wearers, especially among young people, from school age to their twenties.
What are the symptoms of this? Let's find out exactly.
Okay, now let's see what symptoms you can expect to see in this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis). Most of the time, these symptoms can be seen in both eyes. But sometimes, it can occur in just one eye.
- Redness of the eyes: This is one of the main symptoms.
- Itchy or painful eyes: Frequent scratching of the eyes, sometimes with slight pain.
- Eyelid swelling or drooping (ptosis): The eyelid may become swollen and sometimes appear to droop slightly. We also call this ptosis .
- Blurred vision: Vision may be slightly blurred due to a thick, sometimes stringy , mucus coming from the eyes.
- Feeling like something is in the eye: A constant discomfort, as if there is a grain of sand or a small object in the eye. Doctors also call this a foreign body sensation .
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it's a good idea to be careful, especially if you wear contact lenses.
Why is this happening to us? What are the reasons?
Why do these blister-like things form inside the eyelids? There can be several reasons for this. Let's take a look at the main ones.
Causes caused by contact lenses:
In most cases, the main cause of this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis) is the use of contact lenses . That is why some doctors also call this condition 'contact lens papillary conjunctivitis'.
- Allergies to lenses or cleaning solutions: Your eyes can be allergic to the contact lenses you wear, or to the chemicals used to clean or store them.
- Friction: When the contact lens rubs against the inside of the eyeball, this inflammation can also occur due to friction . It's like when our slippers get stuck and our feet get irritated.
- Things that accumulate on the lens: When we use lenses, things like proteins from our eyes, pollen , and dust from the environment can accumulate on the lens. If these are not cleaned properly, they can also be harmful to the eyes and cause this condition.
Other reasons for not wearing contact lenses:
People who don't wear contact lenses can also develop this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis). However, it is less common. There are other factors that can contribute to it:
- Artificial eyes: This condition can occur in people who use an artificial eye, as it can rub against the eyeball.
- Visible stitches (scleral buckles): This could be due to stitches that have not healed properly after eye surgery, or a scleral buckle (a piece of plastic or sponge) used for a retinal procedure.
- Filtering bleb for glaucoma: This friction can also be caused by a small bag-like device ( filtering bleb ) that is placed in the eye as a treatment for glaucoma.
- Mineral deposits in the cornea: If some minerals build up in the cornea, the transparent part in front of the black eye, and rise up ( elevated band keratopathy ), this condition can also occur if it affects the eyeball.
Are there types of this?
Some scientists divide this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis) into two types:
1. Primary type: This is caused by allergies .
2. Secondary type: This is caused by repeated friction on the upper eyelid.
But some other researchers say that Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis is caused by mechanical causes, that is, by things like contact, and that it is different from other types of conjunctivitis caused by allergies.
The most important question: Is this contagious?
The biggest question many people have is whether this is contagious. Just like some eye diseases that we call 'sick eyes', caused by bacteria or viruses, are contagious.
The good news is that this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis) is not contagious to others.
This means that even if you have this condition, you cannot infect anyone else. So there is no reason for anyone to be afraid or to ostracize you because you have it. You can go to work and school as normal.
Who is more likely to develop this? (Risk factors)
There are some risk factors that can contribute to the development of Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis. Let's take a look at what they are:
- Contact lens use: This risk is especially high for those who wear non-disposable lenses, meaning they wear the same lenses continuously.
- Having chronic allergies: If you are someone who is constantly allergic to things like dust and pollen, this condition is likely to occur.
- Eye surgery or treatment: Some eye surgeries or treatments can cause raised spots inside the eye. These can also be caused by rubbing the eyelid (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis).
What happens if this is ignored? (Complications)
Imagine what would happen if we ignored the discomfort, itching, and redness in our eyes and just said, "It'll be okay." Sometimes the situation gets worse and other complications can arise.
- Symptoms may worsen: Itching, discharge, and a feeling of something in the eye may become more severe.
- Damage to the cornea: This is where it can be a little more dangerous. The cornea , the transparent part of the eye that is at the front of the black eye, can be damaged. This can also affect vision.
- Drooping eyelid (ptosis) or other damage: The drooping appearance of the eyelid (ptosis) may be permanent, or other damage to the eyelid may occur.
Therefore, if you have symptoms, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
How does a doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)
When you see an eye care specialist with these symptoms, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms, whether you wear contact lenses, what kind, and how you clean them. Then, they will perform a complete eye exam.
One special thing to do here is to evert your eyes . This is how you can see exactly whether those papillae we mentioned are there and how big they are.
Sometimes, the doctor may inject a special dye called fluorescein into the eye to see these lumps clearly.
What are the treatments? Let's get well soon!
Okay, now let's see what treatments are available for this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis).
The most important thing is that if you are a contact lens wearer, you will definitely need to stop using your lenses completely for at least two weeks. You may be told to stop for even longer.
In addition, your doctor may prescribe the following:
- Eye drops or ointments: These help reduce itching and swelling. They may be antihistamines , mast cell stabilizers , or a combination of both.
- Painkillers (NSAIDs): Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (tablets or eye drops) may be given to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Artificial tears: To prevent dry eyes, you may be advised to use preservative-free artificial tears.
- Corticosteroid eye drops: If the condition is severe, topical corticosteroids can be used for a short period of time. However, these should only be used for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
If you have this condition due to an ocular prosthesis , your doctor may recommend that it be refinished or replaced.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
Like all medications, these eye medications can cause minor side effects. Especially steroid eye drops, which can cause cataract development or higher eye pressure when used long-term. That's why they should be used only as directed by your doctor, and only for the duration of the treatment. Other common eye drops or ointments can also cause minor discomfort, such as redness and irritation, in some people.
How long does it take to heal?
Usually, you will start to feel better about a week after starting treatment. The symptoms will gradually decrease. However, if you are a contact lens wearer, you will have to wait about a month, or even longer, before you can start wearing lenses again. This will be determined by your doctor based on your condition.
Even if this condition exists, it can be completely cured if treated properly. So there is nothing to fear.
How do you avoid this? (Prevention methods)
Although there is no way to completely prevent the development of Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, especially for those who wear contact lenses. By following these steps, you can take care of your eyes.
- Switching lens types: If possible, it's a good idea to switch to disposable soft contact lenses . Or, talk to your doctor about rigid gas permeable lenses .
- Using solutions without preservatives: When choosing solutions to clean and store lenses, choose ones that are preservative-free .
- Strict adherence to contact lens hygiene: This is the most important thing.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before putting in and taking out your lenses.
- Do not wear lenses for longer than the doctor recommends.
- Do not sleep with contact lenses on (unless specifically authorized by your doctor).
- The correct way to clean lenses: When cleaning lenses, just putting them in the solution is not enough. You need to rub them with your finger and then rinse them with the solution . We call this the ``rub and rinse`` method. When you do it this way, most of the small things that have settled on the lens are removed.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have symptoms like these, especially:
- If your eyes are so uncomfortable that you cannot wear contact lenses,
- If your eyes are always red and itchy,
- If a thick, pus-like fluid comes out of the eye,
Be sure to see an ophthalmologist for a checkup. The sooner you start treatment, the faster you can heal and prevent complications.
What to do in an emergency?
If you suddenly experience severe eye pain or sudden loss of vision, it is an emergency. If this happens, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency room .
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you visit your doctor, you can ask these questions to further explain your condition:
- Should I change the type of contact lenses I use?
- Should I stop using contact lenses completely?
- (If you use an artificial eye) Will I have to get a new artificial eye made?
- What are the treatments for this condition (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis)?
- What are the possible side effects of these treatments?
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
If you wear contact lenses or have an artificial eye, you may develop a non-contagious form of conjunctivitis called Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis. However, this is a well-managed and curable condition.
The most important thing is to see an eye doctor as soon as possible, without ignoring the symptoms. If you ignore them, your eyes, especially the cornea, can be seriously damaged. So take care of your eyes. Practice good hygiene. Then you can avoid a lot of trouble like this!
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