There are many reasons to love your contact lenses: because they are worn directly on your eye, your entire field of vision is in focus, you don’t have frames or reflections affecting your vision or distracting you, and you can pick from and rock your favorite pair of sunglasses without worrying whether or not they come in prescription form.
But because these lenses come in contact with our eyes and can trap foreign objects, bacteria, and other contaminants against the eye, they put us at risk for some fairly dangerous eye conditions, especially when we aren’t following proper safety and handling instructions for using our lenses.
Each year, millions of Americans commit the cardinal sins of contact lens wearing -- wearing lenses for too long, improper cleaning and storage, or using homemade solutions that were prepared improperly.
Scary stuff when you consider the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are nearly one million eye infections annually.
These eye infections are called “keratitis” -- or an infection of the cornea, which is the clear dome covering the iris, or colored part of the eye. These infections are painful and uncomfortable, but in some cases, they can lead to blindness. Among these serious eye infections that result from improper contact lens use:
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
This eye infection is caused by amoebas, or one-celled creatures, that are commonly found in water sources, including tap and well water, hot tubs, soil, and sewage systems. These amoebas can come in contact with our lenses in many ways, but primarily as a result of bad hygiene or improper contact lens care. Infections can also be caused by these amoeba through activities, including swimming or relaxing in hot tubs while wearing lenses, showering with contact lenses, or using homemade contact lens solutions to store or clean your contacts, according to the website AllAboutVision.com.
While it can cause serious complications once the infection sets in, acanthamoeba is relatively easy to kill, and can be easily managed by rubbing lens surfaces during cleaning.
While these infections are rare, they are serious and can be incredibly difficult to treat. If the infection is severe enough, you may have to undergo a corneal transplant, which is a very serious procedure.
Herpes Keratitis
Herpes keratitis is an eye infection that’s caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This infection is one of the most common causes of corneal blindness in developed nations, making it a major, global health concern. In its early stages, the infection involves only the outer layer of the cornea, and will typically heal without scarring. However, if the infection spreads to the deeper layers of the cornea, which happens as the infection progresses, it may lead to corneal scarring, vision loss, and, potentially, blindness.
Treatment for this condition will vary depending on its severity. Mild, early cases can often be treated with oral antiviral medications or topical ointments. More serious cases may be treated by scraping the affected area to remove infected cells, while most severe cases will require a corneal transplant.
Fungal Keratitis
Fungal keratitis is a condition that’s most commonly caused by Fusarium and Aspergillus species of fungii, which are common in tropical and subtropical climates, but may occur in milder climates. Most people who develop this condition contract it after an eye injury involving sticks, thorns, or plants. However, this condition is also caused by Cadida species, which grow on the skin and mucous membranes. People who don’t practice proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques with contacts may transfer the fungii onto the lenses.
Once contracted, this condition will require treatment with prescription antifungal medications for several months. In cases where the infection has progressed or where the infection does not respond to oral treatment, patients may be forced to undergo surgery, including corneal transplants, to treat it.
Corneal Ulcer
The above infections can all lead to full or partial blindness, but a corneal ulcer is a condition that, left untreated, can cause physical loss of an eye in serious cases. Corneal ulcers are open sores that occur on the cornea, which can become infections of the eye. This incredibly serious condition can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, viruses, or can be the result of toxins, chemical burns, or scratches on the surface of the eye.
Treatment for a corneal ulcer varies widely depending on the cause and severity of the ulcer. For mild cases, eye drops or ointment may be sufficient, whereas bacterial or viral infections may require antibiotics or antivirals. In more serious cases, where there is scarring or serious infection, a corneal transplant may be required, and in rare cases, a patient may lose the injured or infected eye.
Practice Safe Handling
To avoid exposing yourself to the dangerous conditions above, follow best practices for contact lens care and use. Among the steps contact lens wearers should take to minimize their risks for contracting an eye infection:
- Don’t wear contact lenses overnight. Closing your eye over a contact lens reduces the amount of oxygen that’s getting to your eye, putting you at a greater risk for developing an infection. You’re also pressing the lens onto the surface of the cornea, which pushes germs, viruses, fungii, and debris against the eye.
- Don’t reuse contact lens solution. While it may seem innocent enough to reuse this product, once it has been used, it has lost its disinfecting power. That’s no better than putting your lenses in water. Be sure to use fresh solution each time you take your lenses out.
- Before handling your lenses, always be sure to wash your hands and dry with a lint-free towel, to avoid getting germs or debris onto the lens. This can damage or infect your cornea.
- Don’t go rub-free. Avoid rub-free cleaning systems; they may not help eliminate contaminants like the acanthamoeba, which can lead to serious eye infections. When you remove your lenses, gently rub them with disinfecting solution to ensure that they are getting completely clean.