Typically, the inside of your eyelid should be very smooth. However, if you have giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), the inside of your eyelid becomes red, swollen, and irritated.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is more likely to affect people who wear contact lenses, especially soft lenses. Giant papillary conjunctivitis can strike at any moment, even if you have been wearing contact lenses for a long time.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) can also be acquired by people who do not wear contact lenses. However, this is an unusual occurrence that often affects people who have an artificial eye or stitches in the eye. Big bumps occur on the underside of the eyelid in giant papillary conjunctivitis.
Causes of GPC
The following seems to be the cause of GPC:
● A sensitivity to contact lenses or the cleaning chemicals that are used to disinfect them. GPC is more common in contact lens wearers who have asthma, hay fever, or other allergies.
● Rubbing the eyelid with a contact lens, artificial eye, or uncovered stitches
● Protein or other material deposits on contact lenses
● Allergies of the eyes that are chronic
Symptoms of GPC
The inside of your eyelid becomes rough, red, and swollen at first. Later on, you may develop bumps known as papillae, which can grow to the size of a pimple.
Some signs and symptoms of GPC include:
● Having the sensation that something is stuck in your eye
● Itchy, red, and sore eyes
● Droopy or swollen eyelids
● Excess mucus in the eye that causes fuzzy vision
● When you blink, it feels like your contact lens is creeping up on your eyeball.
Treatment for GPC
GPC must be taken care of right away. If you don’t, it can seriously damage your eyelids and cornea. The cornea is the eye’s transparent front window. You won’t be able to see clearly if your cornea is hurt.
GPC can be treated in a variety of ways:
● For a few weeks, you must avoid wearing contact lenses. This allows ample time for the inside of your eye to heal completely.
● Limit how much time you spend wearing contact lenses per day.
● Reduce scratching and swelling with eye drops or ointment prescribed by your ophthalmologist.
● Change the contact lenses you are wearing.
● Preservative-containing lens solutions should be avoided. Make the switch to unrefined salt solutions.
Based on the severity of your condition and symptoms, your ophthalmologist will discuss treatment options with you.
