Contact lenses make direct contact with the eyes, which means wearing them carries the responsibility of ensuring proper hygiene. In today’s post, Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry shares the basics of contact lens hygiene.
The Risks of Poor Contact Lens Hygiene
Understanding the role of hygiene in wearing contact lenses is important. Unlike eyeglasses, contact lenses touch the surface of the eyes, which means there is a greater risk of keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea, if not work properly. The following are some of the most common forms of keratitis:
- Microbial keratitis. Microbial keratitis is characterized by irritation, sudden blurring of vision, and worsening pain even after contact lens removal. It happens when viruses, parasites or other microbes are transmitted onto the contact lenses via touch.
- Bacterial keratitis. Bacteria on the contacts can cause pain and redness in the eyes, sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing.
- Fungal keratitis. Mold and other fungal spores can cause itchiness, redness and eye discharge, in addition to the symptoms described above.
- Amoebic keratitis. This is a rare but serious type of keratitis that is caused by a type of amoeba called Acanthamoeba. Early signs of amoebic keratitis include a sensation of something on the eye, even without the contacts. Untreated, amoebic keratitis can lead to vision loss.
- Viral keratitis. Specifically, HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) keratitis is an infection of the cornea that is known to cause scarring of the cornea, or even blindness.
The Importance of Proper Hygiene
One of the lasting lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of proper hygiene. Despite the different types of keratitis described above, they all have one thing in common: they are transmitted through improper handling of the contact lenses. Observing proper hygienic practices can go a long way in preventing any form of keratitis from happening. Here are some best practices to keep in mind.
- Always keep your hands clean. The first step in contact lens hygiene begins before you even touch the lenses. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly to prevent germs from transferring to your contact lenses. Make sure to use lint-free towels when drying your hands.
- Handle your lenses properly. Always handle the lenses on the outside surface, never on the side that touches the eyes. If you’re wearing them for the first time, make it a point to ask your eye doctor for instructions on how to handle them properly.
- Clean and store your lenses with care. Proper cleaning involves more than just rinsing your contacts. Use only the recommended solutions by your optometrist, and never substitute tap water, alcohol or any other substance. These can harbor microbes that could lead to infections.
If you experience any of the symptoms described above, stop wearing your contacts and seek help from an eye care professional.
Our specialists at Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry can help you with your eye care needs. Get in touch with us by giving us a call at (703) 413-1400 or (703) 522-7676. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Arlington, VA, and the surrounding communities.