We assume you have been properly informed on all possible risks, but do you know how to use your contact lenses? A recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims the opposite. Many more people ignore their physicians’ recommendations for the use of contact lenses, thus, developing severe eye infections and diseases.
Traditional glasses are often replaced by contact lenses because people feel the latter are much easier to use and much more comfortable. Yet, there are certain strict rules that wearers must never ignore; otherwise, those same contact lenses could become a nightmare.
People usually observe the minimum requirements related to the hygiene of contact lenses. They place them in the special chemical substance that was given to them whenever they start feeling uncomfortable and think these measures suffice.
According to CDC, most people risk jeopardizing their sight because they wash the contact lenses with regular water. While tap water may be good for us to drink, it can be very dangerous for the eyes, which are extremely sensitive. Bacteria from the waterline can thus, get to the surface of the lenses and then, in our eye causing infections. The situation is all the more worrisome considering that 99% of the respondents have declared that they have used water instead of sterile substances to rinse their lenses.
The second mistake that wearers make is to sleep with the contact lenses on. Whether they forget about them or they feel they have no reasons to worry about, 87% of the participants in the study have confessed they often sleep without taking them off.
Water contact of any kind must be avoided when wearing contact lenses, according to ophthalmology experts. In spite of this, the survey has revealed that 85% respondents often shower with their lenses on, ignoring the risks they are subjecting themselves to. Even worse, 61% of them have also swum in pools with contact lenses.
CDC has presented the recent survey to urge people to observe doctors’ recommendations for the use of contact lenses. An incorrect hygiene could lead to mild or severe infections, cataract and even blindness, CDC has concluded.
Image source: www.wikimedia.org
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.