can contact lens solution cause chronic sinus probs?

[sawman]

Hopefully someone from ENT or opthalmology background will be able to comment.

I just got back from a contact lens fitting, that yellow dye was used to verify the fit. I have a bit of a cold at the moment, and noted that snot was the same bright yellow as the dye on leaving the office. suggesting that the dye has found its way quite effectively into my sinuses.

Now for the last few years I have suffered with chronic sinusitis - it occurred to me that my sinuses may be sensitive to the soaking solution I have been using and the start of issues may have coincided with a change in the formulation of the stuff I use (I am vaguely recalling a packaging change). I have never been aware of any on going eye irritation particularly, although I do recall having conjunctivitis in both eyes whilst on holiday as about the same time that the sinus issue really kicked in

Any mileage in the theory?

[Prof Prolapse]

Yes, eyes drain into your sinuses.

First things last, do you not wash the lens solution away with sterile saline? You should be cleaning the solution off your lenses before putting them onto your eyes. What drains into your body should then be absolutely minimal.

[sawman]

Oh, forgot to mention that I use rigid gas permeable lenses, so take lenses straight from wetting/soaking solution and into eyes. My understanding has been no rinsing as this washes off the "comfort layer" of wetting solution.

[Prof Prolapse]

That solution is still full of the dirt you've just cleaned off, and you're now also wondering if it's causing irritation.

Why not try rinsing with sterile saline. It couldn't possibly make it worse.

[sawman]

Wouldnt have thought so really - as the lenses are cleaned and rinsed on removal, before putting in clean wetting solution for overnight, having rinsed the pot out before hand

The wetting solution is supposed to make inserting the lens more comfortable, I did once use a saline rinse when I ran out of the usual stuff, but it was pretty scratchy, tbh,

[Prof Prolapse]

Fair enough.

[CragGriff500]

Your tears drain from the medial canthal area (on your nose side) via two small openings called the puncti (upper and lower). They then drain via small tubes called the canaliculi. From here they drain via the nasolacrimal duct into the lower part of the nose (into the inferior nasal meatus). They don't go into your paranasal sinuses, which are air filled spaces at various places in your skull, primarily around your nose. This is why when you cry tears can run out of your nose and why the fluroscein (yellow dye) was in your nose after installation in your eyes by your optician.

[CragGriff500]

To answer your question though I think it is unlikely your contact lens solution is giving you an allergic rhinitis after entering your nose. Kind regards.

[sawman]

cheers craig, for your explanation. pretty much makes my theory look unfeasible