WHAT CAUSES GPC?
GPC is commonly associated with wearing contact lenses that are coated or have deposits. For that reason, it is considered a relatively “new” eye condition, having first become a major concern of eyecare professionals in the 1970’s. In addition to contact lens wear, GPC may result from wearing an eye prosthesis (artificial eye), or as the result of a protruding or uncovered end of a “stitch remnant,” left exposed after eye surgery. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GPC? In the mild stage, reduced contact lens wearing time is the most common symptom. Many factors can affect comfortable wearing time, such as lack of sleep, environmental irritants, or dry eyes. However, persistent loss of wearing time, in the absence of identifiable reasons, may indicate an early stage of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Four stages of the condition have been identified and described: Stage 1: Pre-Clinical The patient has begun to feel discomfort when wearing contacts, but there is no obvious buildup of deposits of
