Problems with Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

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Question:
I have an oily film/fog that covers my rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses the minute I put them in. I clean them repeatedly and can't get them to clear up. Blink, Systane and other eyedrops make it worse. Restasis didn’t work either. I've worn RGP lenses for years with no problem. I even got new contacts made of a different material, but no change. Any ideas? I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and am wondering if there's a correlation, though I had RA for years before this developed. Usually my eyes clear up by early afternoon, but not always. Any advice is appreciated.

Answer:
Most likely, this is protein build-up on your lenses although there are other causes. You should discuss this condition with your ophthalmologist as this may be treated with a change in cleaning techniques or possibly changing contact lens polymers. It is possible that you will have to change lenses, change cleaning solutions, change wearing times, or even abandon contact lenses. However, there are treatments for such build-up and you may well be helped by a thorough exam and treatment by your ophthalmologist.

Answered by: Ivan Schwab, MD

Categories: Eye Conditions, Vision Correction

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