Giant papillary conjunctivitis
Overview
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is eye irritation that can develop when you wear contact lenses, have severe allergic eye problems, or have a foreign body in your eye, such as a stitch from a previous eye surgery.
Symptoms
The symptoms may include:
- itching of your eyes or eyelids
- a gritty feeling in your eye
- redness
- sensitivity to light
- watery discharge
- changing vision
- drooping eyelids
- more movement of your contacts than usual when you blink.
Causes
GPC can be caused by:
- an allergic reaction to the chemicals in contact lens solutions
- an allergic reaction to allergens in the air or to deposits that can build up on contact lenses
- a contact lens or a foreign body rubbing on the inside of the upper eyelid.
Diagnosis
Your eye doctor will ask you what things make your symptoms worse or better. Your provider will examine your eyes and the inside of your eyelids. If you wear contact lenses, their movement on your eye will be examined. The lenses will also be examined for signs of buildup or damage.
Treatment
Treatment of GPC from contact lenses usually involves not wearing the lenses for several days or weeks. Your doctor may recommend that you use different cleaning, wetting, or soaking solutions. You may need to change your lens-care routine to reduce the buildup of deposits on the lenses. Sometimes your lenses can be professionally cleaned to remove dirt and chemicals.