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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: SASA39 on March 29, 2007, 05:08:42 am

Title: Contact lenses
Post by: SASA39 on March 29, 2007, 05:08:42 am
I`ve been wearing hard or GP ( gas permeable ) C.L. for about 30 years.
They had been prescribed to me due to a big dioptre difference beetwen my eyes and a fast progression myopia at that time ( puberty )
I cannot switch to a soft ones because the one that I wear has made a some kind of permanent scar or incavation to be more precise in my eye.
Since I was diagnosed I have felt that my eyes has become more sensitive.
And I`m scared that a wearing of contact lenses might provoke some further complications due to a  cleansing chemicals or prolonged wearing.
Any experience at this field anyone ?
Thanks                         Al
Title: Re: Contact lenses
Post by: Cerrid on March 29, 2007, 06:18:50 am
I wear soft contact lenses on occasions. I think it's the bacterial film on the surface which can lead to infections of the eye, even more with poz folks. Just pay double attention to the proper cleaning and don't wear them longer than recommended.
Title: Re: Contact lenses
Post by: SASA39 on March 29, 2007, 09:26:39 am
So to wear or not to wear the question is now ?
Hard C.L. (G.P - gas permeable demands less  hygiene than a soft one )
                                                       Al
Title: Re: Contact lenses
Post by: GSOgymrat on March 29, 2007, 10:43:15 am
My opthomologist said people with HIV are 5-8 times more likely to develop a corneal infection. I've had three since being poz.
Title: Re: Contact lenses
Post by: cmhjeff on March 29, 2007, 11:29:12 am
I've been wearing gas perm lenses for 21 years myself. When I first started wearing them my optometrist was my step dad but he has since retired. I've had 2 doctors since who have tried to get me to switch to soft lenses but I feel the hard are just easier all around from putting in to taking out to cleaning. Soft can be cheaper but I'm happy to pay the extra for ease and comfort. Now with not having full use of my left hand due to PML I can still put in my contacts in with only my right hand. I do have some vision problems strictly due to the PML and over the last 2 years I've seen a opthomologist 3 times and I've been told my eye itself is completely healthy. My only problem with the hard is that ever since my step dad retired the doctors just haven't been able to fit the lenses perfectly but I deal. My step dad would periodically have my lenses polished from the maker which strips them of build up missed during general cleanings. My new optometrist said she could do the same for me yearly if I don't buy new lenses every year. I rarely sleep with my lenses in and if I do it's only a nap but never  all night. Also I use Boston Simplus, Multi-Action Solution.

Jeff
Title: Re: Contact lenses
Post by: Christine on March 29, 2007, 06:43:16 pm
I have worn contacts since I was 14, and gas permable since around 19, so almost 20 years.

I have never had an eye infection from my contacts. I clean them as required, always wash my hands when taking them in or out. I try not to touch my eyes during the day.

I do have cmv retinitis, but that has nothing to do with my contacts. The opthalmologist who treats the cmv knows I wear contacts, and has never said anything against them or advise that I stop wearing them.

The gas permables do bother me when they need enzymed, or if I am on the computer a long time, they tend to get dried out because I don't blink as much, but other than those two things, never had a problem. (Except loosing them a few times...)

Christine