Is there any truth to the statement that some fumes from organic solvents can react with contact lenses causing them to fuse to the eyes? If so, then what are these solvents?

well, the contact lenses are usually made from an organic polymer so it is a feasible scenario. i think it would have to be a very long exposure period without disturbing the contact lenses or blinking for it to take effect. the levels of the solvent in your eye necessary for this would probably be to the point where it causes a lot of pain.

 

unless your going to go swimming in petroleum ether i don't think it would have a noticable effect.

I wear hard contact lenses and sometimes, although rare, I can't get them out without using a plunger. My opthalmologist never sees anything wrong with the surface of my eyes even when I mentioned it to him.

 

Bee

I was just wondering because a professor of mine told me that one of his lab students had to get her contacts surgically removed because they became fused to her eyes. To me this really didn't sound plausible, especially since she didn't splash any chemicals in her eyes.

i suppose with certain contact lenses it could happen quick enough so it happens in a long long lab session. i would imgine that there were other factors in the fusing.

i can't stand contact lenses i hate putting things in my eyes. my glasses are teh roxxor anyway.

Polyacrylamide is used widely in contact lenses, it has a fantastic capacity for Water absorbtion (when dry it will absord up to 400x it`s own mass in water!).

if her contacts were a little dry, they would indeed Stick to the membrane on the eye (A form of suction).

adequate Hydration over time should release it though.