Contacts make eyes *less* bloodshot?

I'm currently wearing Proclears, and I tolerate them pretty well. I've
noticed a curious thing...my eyes become more white when wearing the
lenses than without them, particularly at the beginning of the day. It
seems like before I put them in, and after I take them out, my eyes
become more bloodshot.

Is this something I should be concerned about? Usually shouldn't it
should be the other way around (the contacts should cause redness, not
alleviate it)?

Thanks -- Bill.

Just be thankful. If there is no discomfort and redness, then all is
well.

dr grant

I think that's a bad answer. His post indicates red eyes after contact
lens removal, which means the contacts are likely masking an
inflammatory process. He needs to find out what's causing it.

w.stacy, o.d.

CatmanX wrote:

> Just be thankful. If there is no discomfort and redness, then all is
> well.
>
> dr grant
>

You are probably not blinking as much and holding your eyes open more
widely when you are not wearing your contact lenses, thereby allowing
your eyes to dry more causing more redness. With the contact lenses in
place you can see more easily and therefore blink more naturally. You
could also be irritating your eyes removing the contact lenses.

Ted.

Is it? They are redder before and after lens wear. Does that mean there
is and underluying tear film problem that is being fixed by the CL's?

If the lenses were the issue, they would be red during wear and also
some degree of discomfort.

dr grant

In my experience, when the epithelium is being damaged or has been
damaged, whether by the CL or by something else, the CL will mask the
problem while worn, which is why we use bandage CLs. Often times the
pain and redness of a substantial abrasion will be entirely masked by
the CL. Unfortunately, similar masking can even happen when an ulcer is
forming. I am ALWAYS alarmed when a patient presents with a history
like this.

w.stacy, o.d.

CatmanX wrote:

>Is it? They are redder before and after lens wear. Does that mean there
>is and underluying tear film problem that is being fixed by the CL's?
>
>If the lenses were the issue, they would be red during wear and also
>some degree of discomfort.
>
>dr grant
>
>
>

On Sat, 18 Mar 2006 17:18:20 GMT, William Stacy <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>In my experience, when the epithelium is being damaged or has been
>damaged, whether by the CL or by something else, the CL will mask the
>problem while worn, which is why we use bandage CLs. Often times the
>pain and redness of a substantial abrasion will be entirely masked by
>the CL. Unfortunately, similar masking can even happen when an ulcer is
>forming. I am ALWAYS alarmed when a patient presents with a history
>like this.

I tend to agree ... from my personal experience. Since there's some
evidence of epithelial damage to my corneas (BAK??), My eyes look and
feel significantly better in the CL's than I do without them.

My uneducated opinion would be that he needs some quality fluorescein
time under Ye Olde Slitte Lampe.

YMMV....

On Sat, 18 Mar 2006 17:29:39 GMT, Neil Brooks <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>On Sat, 18 Mar 2006 17:18:20 GMT, William Stacy <(E-Mail Removed)>
>wrote:
>
>>In my experience, when the epithelium is being damaged or has been
>>damaged, whether by the CL or by something else, the CL will mask the
>>problem while worn, which is why we use bandage CLs. Often times the
>>pain and redness of a substantial abrasion will be entirely masked by
>>the CL. Unfortunately, similar masking can even happen when an ulcer is
>>forming. I am ALWAYS alarmed when a patient presents with a history
>>like this.
>
>I tend to agree ... from my personal experience. Since there's some
>evidence of epithelial damage to my corneas (BAK??), My eyes look and
>feel significantly better in the CL's than I do without them.
>
>My uneducated opinion would be that he needs some quality fluorescein
>time under Ye Olde Slitte Lampe.
>
>YMMV....

ObThat, incidentally, I'm in the process of ordering a compunded drop
from Leiter's Pharmacy in Northern Cal. They can access both
Hyaluronic Acid (0.5%) (allegedly just an all-around beautiful thing,
ophthalmically) and ophthalmic castor oil (improves tear stability
issues caused by MGD) and will whip up a bottle of drops for me.

Fingers crossed....