Contact lenses have become a popular alternative to traditional eyeglasses, providing wearers with enhanced vision and aesthetic appeal. However, the rise in contact lens usage has also led to increased eye infections among wearers. In 2023, researchers from University College London (UCL) and Moorfields confirmed that people who wear reusable contact lenses were 3.8 times more likely to develop acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) than disposable lens users.
However, the study's lead author, Professor John Dart, emphasizes that contact lenses are generally considered safe. In fact, 90% of cases of AK, a rare but severe eye infection, are avoidable. This emphasizes how vital it is to care for your contacts to maintain your eye health. Here, we explore four essential tips to prevent eye infections when wearing contacts.
Avoid sleeping with your contacts in.
A prevalent misconception among contact lens wearers is that it's safe to sleep with their lenses on. In fact, over one-third of contact wearers have fallen asleep with contacts at least once. The Sleep Foundation stresses that this behavior significantly increases your risk of developing eye infections, making it six to eight times higher than when users remove lenses before bedtime. That's because your corneas receive less tear fluid when you sleep with contacts, making it harder to defend against microbes.
If you accidentally fall asleep with your contacts in, avoid pulling them out immediately. Instead, use eye drops, blink until they loosen, and then remove them to prevent damage.
Never swim with contact lenses.
Another common misconception is that you can wear your contacts while swimming. Various types of water contain bacteria and chemicals harmful to the eyes, whether from the sea or pool. Soft contact lenses absorb water quickly, so swimming with contact lenses will expose your eyes to various pathogens and increase your vulnerability to irritation and infection. Water exposure can also cause soft lenses to change shape and tighten on the eyes, making them difficult to wear and remove. That's also why it's not recommended to clean your contacts with water.
You can opt for prescription swimming goggles if you spend significant time in aquatic environments. And if water gets in your contacts under any circumstance, gently remove them, discard them immediately, and flush your eyes with artificial tears.
Let your eyes breathe.
Even if you avoid sleeping or swimming with your contacts, minimizing your time wearing the lenses is essential. Contact lenses hinder your eyes' natural hydration and oxygen reception process, quickly causing fatigue. To prevent eye strain, follow the recommended wearing time—typically 10–12 hours daily. You can also consult your ophthalmologist for personalized advice based on factors like age or prescription.
Otherwise, you can reduce eye strain by wearing sunglasses outdoors, massaging your eyes, and staying hydrated. Closing your eyes for a minute every hour also provides relief and helps maintain eye health.
Clean your lenses properly.
Ensuring impeccable cleanliness not just during but also before and after the period you wear reusable contacts is paramount for preventing eye infections. The contact lens solutions market grapples with growth challenges primarily due to the lack of awareness about various eye disorders and the role of proper cleansing for eye health. Take, for instance, macular degeneration, wherein debris accumulates between the retina and choroid to scar the retina.
That is why contact lens solution is explicitly created to clean your lenses and align with your needs. For sensitive eyes, BioTrue eye solution by Clear Conscience offers a pH balance that mimics healthy tears. Alternatively, the Clear Conscience Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Solution by HOYA Corp is a convenient option for daily cleaning and rinsing to disinfect and efficiently remove protein deposits. Remember to wash and dry your hands before handling contacts and replace the lens case regularly for optimal lens care.
Adhering to these four tips allows you to enjoy clear vision while wearing contacts without compromising your eye health. Top these off with regular eye check-ups and consultations to further ensure the longevity of your eye health and the enjoyment of the benefits that contact lenses offer.
