Contact Wearers Are Prone to Eye Infections

When contact lenses hit the market more than 50 years ago, they were a hit with people who disliked wearing eyeglasses. But as with other medical devices, contact lenses need to be properly cleaned, cared for and used. Doing otherwise could result in eye infections. 

At the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis, our staff provides a warm and welcoming experience for each patient. We ensure that our patrons feel at ease. When you visit our office, you can be confident that you are receiving the finest and most advanced ophthalmology treatment available.

You must stop wearing your contact lenses if your eyes become painful, red, swollen, sensitive to light or itchy. Other symptoms of an eye infection are blurry vision and a gooey, sticky substance in your eye. Don’t take eye infections lightly. They can become dangerous and threaten your sight. Contact an ophthalmologist right away. 

These are some “invaders” that can attack the eyes of lens wearers.

Bacteria. The microorganisms that normally inhabit your mouth, skin and nose can become a hazardous combination if they’ve gathered on a contact lens and you have any kind of small scratch on your eye. Staphylococcus aureus is a germ that about 30 percent of people carry in their noses. This stubborn and tough-to-treat ailment can easily get in your eyes via your hands, so it’s imperative that you wash your hands often and keep them away from your eyes. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It’s a common cause of bacterial keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea. You could lose your vision permanently, so it’s vital that you properly and religiously clean and disinfect your contacts and their cases. 

Viruses. Herpes simplex—the type that creates cold sores and sexually transmitted diseases—can spur viral keratitis. It can easily be transmitted to your eye from one of your hands that’s touched an active herpes sore. A cornea can also become inflamed by a viral upper respiratory infection and the chickenpox virus. 

These tips will lower your risk of eye infections.

• Keep your lens case meticulously clean, and replace it every few months. 
• Never reuse cleaning solution. 
• Remove your lenses—even the kinds made for extended wear—before you turn in for the night. 
• Remove your contacts before napping, showering, bathing, swimming or soaking in a hot tub. 
• The average person touches his face about 23 times an hour. That’s 23 opportunities for bacteria and other bad stuff to get into your eyes! Wash your hands often.

Your eyesight is precious. You must take every measure possible to protect it. You can rest assured that Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis’s main mission is to bring you back to your best well-being. We pride ourselves on our ability to fulfill our mission to deliver superior patient care. For more information about our practice and how we can help you, please call us to schedule an appointment.

By Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis

December 29, 2022