A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported millions of Americans may be suffering from keratitis, an infection of the cornea, caused by improper handling of contact lenses. According to the CDC, wearing lenses too long and not cleaning them properly are the most common underlying factors of eye infections in the estimated 38 million Americans who wear contact lenses.

“Bacterial keratitis is usually treated with antibiotic drops and may require multiple return visits to your ophthalmologist,” says Marina Grapp, OD, Director, Specialty Contact Lens Service, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, “But the infection is easily avoidable with proper use.”

During Contact Lens Health Week, Dr. Grapp offers some tips for avoiding contact lens-related eye infections:

Tips:

  • Clean hands help prevent infection. Before handling contact lenses, wash your hands with soap and water, then rinse and dry them with a clean towel.
  • Minimize contact with water. Contact lenses should not be rinsed with or stored in water (tap or sterile water). Remove lenses before going swimming or in a hot tub.
  • Wear only as directed. Only wear lenses for the recommended period of time. Sleeping with contact lenses is generally not advisable. Also, as with any prescription, contact lens prescriptions do expire. Patients should consult with their eye care professional for yearly exams and updated prescriptions.
  • “Rub and Rinse” routine. During cleaning, rub your contact lenses with your fingers, and then rinse the lenses with solution before soaking them. This “rub and rinse” method is considered by some experts to be a superior method of cleaning, even if the solution you are using is a “no-rub” variety.
  • Risk of infection varies somewhat depending on the type of contact lens. Single-use daily disposable lenses are the safest type of soft contact lens, in terms of reducing the risk of infection.
  • Store contacts properly. Lens cases can be a source of contamination and infection. Keep the contact lens case clean and replace it regularly.
  • Seek treatment right away. Contact your eye-care professional right away if pain, discharge, or discomfort appears with contact lens use.

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Dr. Marina Grapp is the Director of the Specialty Contact Lens Service in the Ophthalmology Faculty Practice of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. She provides comprehensive care in all areas of optometry, specializing in the fitting of contact lenses and corneal pathology.

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