Is Silicone Hydrogels Dangerous?

http://studymyhealth.wordpress.com/...w-wave-of-high-oxygen-high-discomfort-lenses/

http://www.clspectrum.com/article.aspx?article=12834

I plan to switch to soft contacts for daily 8 hour use and after some
reseach, thought the silicone hydrogels are better because I have
dry eyes. But according to the above sites. Silicone Hydrogels are
dangerous even when used daily (not extended) because of the
new materials. The second article quotes:

"While it may be true that the incidence of microbial keratitis is no
different between silicone hydrogel continuous wear and hydrogel
daily wear, I don't hear much from silicone hydrogel promoters
warning practitioners and patients about superficial ocular
inflammation
related to silicone hydrogel wear. Until the industry further
characterizes
silicone hydrogel technology — when any other "surprises" come
out in addition to PHMB incompatibility, GPC, SEALs and mucin".

What do you think? Who have similar experience with the stories
the first article about people being damaged by the silicone
hydrogels?

Pia

 

I can tell you that I've been wearing them for over two years now, keeping
them in anywhere from 8 to 120 hours, and have had no problems.

 

I don't wear mine overnight, but I agree 100%. I have dry
eyes due to cornea problems and the silicone hydrogel lenses
are extremely comfortable and give excellent vision.


Colin

 

After asking many optometrists at the mall whether soft or hard
contact
are better. Some say that study shows people who use soft contact
only last an average of 5 years before they become intolerant. It
appears that the liquid component of the hydrogels and silicone
itself can slowly form immune response such that next time one
wears them, the eye IgE and immunoglubulins would see the
lens as foreign object and attack it by forming mast cells around
the eyes much like organ transplant being rejected. Scary isn't it.
So I guess gas permeable lens would be a better choice as it has
less liquid component and the immune system can more easily
identity it as a lens. I asked them what about Daily soft contact
disposable. They said that since the eye now treat the lens as
foreign harmful body. It would initiate immune response to it
like autoimmuinity or lupus. This may be why some people can
no longer wear contact lens like Silicone Hydrogels after their
immune system can become sensitive to them. Maybe before
one wears such lens. There must be complete immune system
analysis first, isn't it.

Pia

 

Ahhh, yes.

Pia: you might consider exhaling. With all due respect, and/but in
all seriousness.

 

No. What they are saying is that dirt and protein can easily
stick to soft contact lens because it is made of water unlike
hard lens which has only 2% water (soft contacts have
50% water average). Logical isn't it?

After the eyes got infected from the protein deposit
or other stains. It can become sensitive and reject the
lens. Also logical, isn't it?

Hence soft contact has significantly higher risk.

Pia

 

In addition to the above, silicone hydrogels material
can hold more protein, etc. deposits not because
of the water in the lens but because of the silicone
materials themselves resulting in more eye infection.

Is this true at all?

Now since there is no disposable daily wear silicone
hydrogels. A montly silcone hydrogels would be more
risky and can move the thresholds of users to more
dangerous edge even when used 8 hours a day like
older hydrogels as shown in the following report in


http://studymyhealth.wordpress.com/...w-wave-of-high-oxygen-high-discomfort-lenses/

"I have worn soft contact lenses for over 35 years with no
problems. Switched to the Silicone Hydrogels Accuvue
Oasis in the Right eye only. 2 months ago, Blepharitis,
Giant Pupilary Conjunctivitis developed in the Right eye
only. Spent well over $600 in RX, beginning with family
M.D., then Optometrist, now being treated by Opthalmologist.
No insurance, of course. The conjunctivitis continues.
One can only use steroid eye drops for a limited duration,
yet the redness, dryness, discomfort continue. It is
doubtful I will ever be able to wear contacts again.
Oh yeah, I finally broke down 2 days ago and spent
over $800 (no insurance)on new progressive eye
glasses since I can’t wear the old SV glasses that I
used to wear in the late evenings. I feel like I was
used as an unsuspecting, unaware lab rat. Let me
know when and where to sign up for the class action
law suit."

Pia

 

I was going to make a joke here, but decided it wasn't funny.

How could that happen?

I've got you there, Mike. This is the dreaded DHMO:

HTTP://www.DHMO.org

I've got the T-shirt! I love to show it to doctors and nurses. They
get this quizzical look, then the concerned look and then they break out
laughing when they figure out it's...WATER!

Line forms at the right. Please, no pushing or shoving, you'll all get
an interview.