I am a myopic astigmatic (-6.5 in one eye, -6.75 in the other) who has been experiencing a recurring problem with what my optometrist identified as "jelly-spots"--essentially, opaque "bumps" on the surface of the contact lens, which appear, empirically, to be almost a chemical change in the lens itself. They are not removable by cleaning or enzymatic treatment of the lens. When I queried my Dr. as to what caused the problem, he merely shrugged and said "no one knows", which is, needless to say, not very helpful.
These "bumps" are problematic in that they eventually irritate my eyelid to the point of conjunctivitis, and the lens begins to "ride" up and down with my eyelid when I blink.
I wear DuraSoft 3 optifit toric lenses, and this problem has happened three times, already, though on the previous two occasions, the lenses were of different manufacture, so I assume that it is not a defect in the lens itself, but rather something in my behavior that is causing the problem.
I have used the CibaVision AO Sept family of cleaning products, and Allergen UltraZyme enzymatic treatment successfully for 8 years or so; I follow the cleaning regimine as faithfully as is reasonably possible; and I have been wearing contact lenses for 13 years, so I am no stranger to their proper care. However, I have seen the wearable life of my contact lenses go from over a year, to a scant four months, due to this problem.
Does anyone out there have any recommendations? Am I doing something wrong? Is there perhaps a different lens I should try, or different cleaning products I should use? I would appreciate any suggestions.
> I am a myopic astigmatic (-6.5 in one eye, -6.75 in the other) who has been > experiencing a recurring problem with what my optometrist identified as > "jelly-spots"--essentially, opaque "bumps" on the surface of the contact > lens, which appear, empirically, to be almost a chemical change in the lens > itself. They are not removable by cleaning or enzymatic treatment of the > lens. When I queried my Dr. as to what caused the problem, he merely > shrugged and said "no one knows", which is, needless to say, not very > helpful.
> These "bumps" are problematic in that they eventually irritate my eyelid to > the point of conjunctivitis, and the lens begins to "ride" up and down with > my eyelid when I blink.
> I wear DuraSoft 3 optifit toric lenses, and this problem has happened three > times, already, though on the previous two occasions, the lenses were of > different manufacture, so I assume that it is not a defect in the lens > itself, but rather something in my behavior that is causing the problem.
> I have used the CibaVision AO Sept family of cleaning products, and Allergen > UltraZyme enzymatic treatment successfully for 8 years or so; I follow the > cleaning regimine as faithfully as is reasonably possible; and I have been > wearing contact lenses for 13 years, so I am no stranger to their proper > care. However, I have seen the wearable life of my contact lenses go from > over a year, to a scant four months, due to this problem.
> Does anyone out there have any recommendations? Am I doing something wrong? > Is there perhaps a different lens I should try, or different cleaning > products I should use? I would appreciate any suggestions.
I learned that the "jelly bumps" are of a lipid composition; once on the lens removing them is impossible. Some pateints are just more prone to be this type of depositor. I like to switch patients to a planned replacement ( 1-2 mo replacement cycle); they are available in torics as well. Baring that, the CSI or a Cooper lens seems to be pretty good in the jelly bump arena.
JB's are conglomerates of lipid and protein that embed themselves into the lens itself - you can actually shave them off with baking soda sprinkled on with daily cleaner (makes them more comfortable) but you can't dig out the "root" and they will grow back.
These happen characteristically when there is a special affinity between a particular lens material and YOUR tear solutes. Another person may not have the same problem with your WJ D3 lenses, and your results may vary (seasonal pollen, environment, metabolism) but you will typically continue to have the same problem as long as you use the same material. Since you can't change your tears, the obvious solution is to get away from the material you're using. There are four chemical categories of lens material defined for this reason.
When your lenses start to ride up and down you may be developing another problem, and your doctor should have everted your lids to look for a lumpy allergic condition called GPC. This problem isn't common with frequent lens replacement.
-MT
"David Benavides" <dave1...@swbell.net> wrote in message
> I am a myopic astigmatic (-6.5 in one eye, -6.75 in the other) who has been > experiencing a recurring problem with what my optometrist identified as > "jelly-spots"--essentially, opaque "bumps" on the surface of the contact > lens, which appear, empirically, to be almost a chemical change in the lens > itself. They are not removable by cleaning or enzymatic treatment of the > lens. When I queried my Dr. as to what caused the problem, he merely > shrugged and said "no one knows", which is, needless to say, not very > helpful.
> These "bumps" are problematic in that they eventually irritate my eyelid to > the point of conjunctivitis, and the lens begins to "ride" up and down with > my eyelid when I blink.
> I wear DuraSoft 3 optifit toric lenses, and this problem has happened three > times, already, though on the previous two occasions, the lenses were of > different manufacture, so I assume that it is not a defect in the lens > itself, but rather something in my behavior that is causing the problem.
> I have used the CibaVision AO Sept family of cleaning products, and Allergen > UltraZyme enzymatic treatment successfully for 8 years or so; I follow the > cleaning regimine as faithfully as is reasonably possible; and I have been > wearing contact lenses for 13 years, so I am no stranger to their proper > care. However, I have seen the wearable life of my contact lenses go from > over a year, to a scant four months, due to this problem.
> Does anyone out there have any recommendations? Am I doing something wrong? > Is there perhaps a different lens I should try, or different cleaning > products I should use? I would appreciate any suggestions.
I've seen BIG jellybumps form on new disposable lenses, only to be scraped off by fingernail, and back again just as big after the very next days wear!!
They're a curse! The cure is often difficult.
Your tear chemistry is the key culprit. Try a different brand of lens, try different cleaners.
It's been claimed that Miraflow, Instacare Starting solution (high in salt and alcohol)(both Ciba products) may help to cut these spots down, but once they have formed you should not expect to eliminate them.
New lenses (of a different material), new cleaners and crossed fingers are called for. Good luck.
