From the Guidelines
If you have conjunctivitis while wearing contact lenses, you should immediately remove and discontinue wearing your contacts until the infection completely resolves, as indicated by the most recent study in 2024 1. This is crucial because conjunctivitis with contact lens use could indicate a more serious infection. The treatment approach should prioritize discontinuing contact lens wear until the cornea returns to normal, and in some cases, a brief course of topical corticosteroids may be prescribed, in addition to longer-term use of topical cyclosporine 0.05% 1. Key steps to take include:
- Switching to glasses temporarily
- Contacting your eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment
- For bacterial conjunctivitis, considering antibiotic eye drops like moxifloxacin (Vigamox), ciprofloxacin, or tobramycin, typically used 4 times daily for 7-10 days
- For viral conjunctivitis, focusing on supportive treatment with artificial tears and cold compresses
- Disposing of your current contact lenses and case, as they may harbor infectious agents
- After recovery, starting with a fresh pair of lenses and a new case It's essential to never wear contacts while treating an eye infection, as this can trap bacteria against your eye, worsen the infection, and potentially lead to serious complications like corneal ulcers or vision loss, as highlighted in the guidelines 1. You can typically resume contact lens wear 24-48 hours after all symptoms have resolved and you've completed the full course of any prescribed medication, ensuring that proper contact lens care practices are followed to minimize the risk of future infections 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
5.3 Avoidance of Contact Lens Wear Patients should be advised not to wear contact lenses if they have signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or during the course of therapy with gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, 0.5% The treatment for conjunctivitis with contacts is to avoid wearing contact lenses during the course of therapy with gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, 0.5% 2.
- Key points:
From the Research
Treatment Options for Conjunctivitis with Contacts
- The treatment for conjunctivitis in contact lens wearers depends on the cause of the infection, which can be viral, bacterial, or allergic 3, 4.
- For bacterial conjunctivitis, topical antibiotics are recommended to decrease the duration of the infection and allow for an earlier return to normal activities 3.
- In cases of conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia, or in contact lens wearers, antibiotic treatment is necessary 3.
- Viral conjunctivitis typically requires supportive care, including artificial tears, cold compresses, and antihistamine eye drops 4.
- Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, which have been shown to reduce symptoms and signs of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis when compared with placebo 5.
Contact Lens-Related Conjunctivitis
- Contact lens-induced papillary conjunctivitis (CLPC) is a common ocular allergic disease in contact lens wearers, which can cause giant papillary conjunctivitis and lead to contact lens intolerance 6.
- Refitting patients with silicone hydrogel contact lenses or daily disposable contact lenses may improve the signs and symptoms of CLPC 6.
- A novel type of contact lens with dual drug delivery has been designed to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, releasing moxifloxacin HCl and hyaluronic acid for an extended period 7.
Management and Prevention
- Strict personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing, is essential to decrease the risk of transmission of conjunctivitis 4.
- Ophthalmology referral is indicated for conjunctivitis in neonates or patients with severe pain, decreased vision, recent ocular surgery, or immunocompromised state 4.
- The use of topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers appears to be safe and well-tolerated, with no reported serious adverse events related to their use 5.