Question--For those who wear contacts - or maybe Dana can help...

DillsMommy wrote: For about the last week, every time I put my contacts in, they BURN unbearably. It feels like I get soap in my eyes. I usually just take them back out and not wear any. Except on days I have to work or something--or else I can't see a thing. They'll burn for about 30 secs-1 min and then it stops. Anybody have this problem before or know what may be causing it? I've tried everything--washed out my contact case, put in new solution, "rubbed" the contacts in fresh solution, let them soak overnight in fresh solution. And nothing helps. I'm tempted to just sleep in them so that I don't have to go through the burning every morning......

Boo&BugsMom replied: Mine will do that if I have soap residue on my fingers. Make sure you rinse your fingers and hands really well.

Teesa®© replied: It's been years since I've had contacts.

When you say "new solution", do you mean like a different brand? Or you used the same stuff you have, just put in clean solution? I'd try a different brand and see if that makes a difference.

Is there any possibility that something foreign got into your solution container? DS once though that my special toothpaste [$20 for a tiny tube ] should be in my shampoo bottle. He squirted the whole tube into it

He also believes that water belongs in the salt shaker and dish soap belongs in the container's of water I keep in the fridge. I was in the middle of filling one up when I noticed it was green

He thought he'd clean the soap with my toothbrush once, that was the NASTIEST taste EVER!!! I told him that even my MOTHER never washed my mouth out with soap

TheOaf66 replied: do you have the kind that you have to disinfect every month with those little tabs? It could be that your eyes are reacting to something on there. That is why I wear disposables.

PrairieMom replied: I TOTALLY have that problem! I have the extended wear disposable kind, and I can wear them all day, but in the early evening they start to burn like crazy. I have taken mine out and rinsed them, that seems to help for a few minutes, then they start burning again.
now I want and answer too!

A&A'smommy replied: do you wear disposables? it might be time for a new pair thats the only thing I can think of

Boo&BugsMom replied: Also want to ask...do your eyes produce a lot of protein? Mine produce a lot, so much that I can only wear the daily contacts. My eyes will start to feel like something is caught in my eye when they are no good anymore. My eyes produce so much that I was changing my bi-weekly's every 3-4 days.

ETA: I also use the moisture-lock kind of stuff for my contacts. Even though they are dailies, rinsing them in that stuff helps keep them moist or else my eyes get dried out too easily and they burn more.

luvmykids replied: Do you have any small tears in them? I had the burning with certain solutions, I don't remember what they were anymore but an enzyme cleaner might help, I had to do it a few times a month.

Danalana replied: Mandy, have you worn this kind of contacts long? Burning usually involves problems with the solution or contacts (worn out, torn, etc...), naturally. But how about your eyes? Are they abnormally red or itchy? You really just need to go in for an office visit with your eye doctor, or get a new exam if it's time. You might need a new kind of contact or solution...I hope you get relief soon!

DillsMommy replied: Thanks for all the reply's.
The only thing I think it could be--is the brand of solution. I usually just use Wal-mart brand, but Tom brought home "ReNu" by Bausch & Lomb. And they started burning when I switched. It's just weird because I've been wearing contacts for about 6 years and have never had a problem before, even with switching solutions. I actually am due for an exam so I'll let them know whats going on. Maybe I can try a different brand of contacts altogether. Mine now, are monthly disposables that I usually wear for at least 2-3 months at a time. I'm sure that doesn't help much either..... Anyways, thanks again.

Danalana replied: Bad bad girl! You definitely need to change them more often. It probably is the solution...but using them for longer than they are intended can be painful sometimes too. Make sure your doctor knows how long you use them when you tell him what's going on (I'm sure he'll ask, anyway). Good luck!

PrairieMom replied: Okay, so what about me? I haven't changed solutions at all, and its only my right eye that bugs me. (toric lens) I am supposed to be able to wear mine for a few days in a row, but can't even make it through a whole day usually. I get about 5 days wear out of them, (not in a row) before they start to hurt.
Fix it Dana!

Danalana replied: Tara, how long has it been since your exam? How old is that particular contact? Have you always worn that brand or is it something new you're trying? It could be a small tear or debris on the contact...OR it could be inside out. My guess is that you need to try a different contact. Doctor time for you too!

PrairieMom replied:
I just had my exam less than a year ago, and these are new contacts for me, so I guess it could be the brand... but I have washed them off, switched them out and still had the same issues so I don't think its debris or a tear or what ever. Maybe I just need a different brand.
Huh. Thanks!

Danalana replied: They don't have to be old to have tears...you should examine even newly-opened contacts for tears---it does happen. But you just might need a different contact. Try a new one first and see if it does the same...that way, you know it's probably the brand, unless you have irritation in that eye.