Contact Lens Risks
Wearing contact lenses puts you at risk of several
serious conditions including eye infections and corneal ulcers.
These conditions can develop very quickly and can be very serious.
In rare cases, these conditions can cause blindness.
You can not determine the seriousness of a problem that develops
when you are wearing contact lenses. You have to get help from an
eye care professional to determine your problem.
If you experience any symptoms of eye irritation or infection,
- remove your lenses immediately and do not put them back
in your eyes.
- contact your eye care professional right way.
- don't throw away your lenses. Store them in your case and
take them to your eye care professional. He or she may want
to use them to determine the cause of your symptoms.
- report serious eye problems associated with your lenses
to the FDA’s MedWatch reporting program.
Symptoms of Eye Irritation or Infection
- discomfort
- excess tearing or other discharge
- unusual sensitivity to light
- itching, burning, or gritty feelings
- unusual redness
- blurred vision
- swelling
- pain
Serious Hazards of Contact Lenses
Symptoms of eye irritation can indicate a more serious condition.
Some of the possible serious hazards of wearing contact lenses are
corneal ulcers and eye infections.
Corneal ulcers are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea.
They are usually caused by infections. You can reduce your chances
of infection if:
- you replace your contact lens storage case every 3-6 months
- you clean and disinfect your lenses properly
- you always use fresh contact lens solution and avoid non-sterile
water (distilled water and tap water are not sterile and should
not be used)
- you never reuse contact lens solution
- you remove your contact lenses before swimming.
Any lenses worn overnight increase your risk of infection. Even
lenses that are designed to be worn overnight (extended-wear contact
lenses) increase your risk. When worn overnight, contact lenses
reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to the cornea. This stresses
and damages the surface of the cornea known as the epithelium. Germs
can grow more rapidly in stressed corneas.
Other Risks of Contact Lenses
Other risks of contact lenses include
- pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- corneal abrasions
- eye irritation
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