Contact Lenses Can Cause Infections, Too

Contact Lenses Can Cause Infections Too

When the optometrist at LensCrafters recommended contact lenses instead of eyeglasses, you probably thought it was the safest, most convenient, and most comfortable option. While valid, keep in mind that contact lenses should be worn, cleaned, and cared for properly to get the most out of them! Otherwise, your risks of getting eye infections will increase.

Watch for These Signs

Optometrists recommend never to wear your contact lenses all the time. You have to get them off at night, so your eyes will get sufficient rest from the friction.

If you notice these signs in your eyes, you should immediately stop wearing your contact lenses:

  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Blurry vision
  • Sticky stuff coming from your eyes or extra tear production
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Burning or itchy feelings
  • The sensation that something stuck in your eye
  • Pain in the eyes

Go to your ophthalmologist as soon as possible. However, it would be best if you didn’t wait too long as specific eye problems are serious and, thus, require immediate treatment to save your sight.

Be sure to bring your contact lenses to your doctor’s appointment; put them in a case first. Use your eyeglasses, if necessary, instead of wearing new contact lenses. Your ophthalmologist may take cultures off your contact lenses to determine if germs caused the infection.

Causes of Infection

Contact lenses can harbor a few pathogens that cause infection, thus, the symptoms. Your ophthalmologist will be able to prescribe the proper treatment based on the cause of the disease.

First, bacteria may be present in contact lenses. However, note that the skin, nose, and mouth harbor bacteria, too, but these are usually relatively harmless. But when the bacteria in your contact lenses contact minor wounds (i.e., scrapes) on your eye, the result can jeopardize your eyesight.

The bacteria that can cause eye infections include Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Fortunately, antibiotics and proper hygiene can prevent most bacteria from wreaking havoc on your eyes.

Second, viruses can cause eye infections like keratitis (i.e., herpes simplex virus) and pinkeye (i.e., common cold virus). Although viruses like chickenpox can infect the cornea, the virus can transfer from active herpes sore to your eyes.

Third, parasites in the water (e.g., acanthamoeba) can infect the eyes, especially those who wear contact lenses. For this reason, it’s best to take off your contact lenses before swimming in the pool or sea.

Let’s say that contact lenses are great for your eyesight but can cause loss. So be careful and vigilant when using them.