Used contact solution as eye drops

[marklester1]

I've recently started to have dry eyes and have constantly been having the feeling of getting "stuff" like pieces of dirt, etc, in my eyes. This didn't happen to me before. I had a facial trauma injury that resulted in my getting checked by an opthamologist but the doctor thought that my eyes were ok.

For the last couple of weeks I have been using lubricating eye drops when I get something in my eyes to flush it out.
I ran out of the eye drops today and instead used some of my roommate's "multi purpose solution", not realizing that it's only used as contact lens solution.
The product was Bauch+Lomb renu fresh multi purpose solution. The active ingredients are DYMED (polyaminopropyl biguanide) 0.0001% and Edetate Disodium 0.01%.
I put 2 or 3 drops into one eye but since the bottle doesn't require to be squeezed very much to release the liquid, I accidently poured 7 or 8 drops into the other eye.
I didn't really feel any pain or soreness but. I tried to rinse my eyes out about 5 minutes later.

I was wondering:

1. Why might I be getting things in my eye so often all of a sudden
2. Is putting that solution in my eyes really bad for them?

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Every person that wears contacts should be under the care of an optometrist or ophthalmologist to answer questions like that.
JCH MD

[graylucy13]

for how long we can use the same contact lenses? My friend says that after six months we should throw away the old one and go for new one.
Supersavers opticians

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

artificial tears: example Systane, Soothe, Refresh, Blink, etc.
JCH MD

[marklester1]

Thanks very much for your quick response. I'm a male but I'm guessing that doesn't change much.

Just as a quick follow up and out of curiosity. Why shouldn't I use it regularly if it won't hurt my eye? What kind of eye drops should I buy instead?

Again, my thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It is  very unlikely that you are really getting all this stuff in your eyes. You may be developing "dry eye syndrome" especially if female. I suggest you read the article on dry eyes on this community forum page and also see an ophthalmologist eye MD. Find one near you at www.aao.org

No it won't hurt your eye but don't use it regularly.

JCH MD