Forgetting to remove contact lenses before going to sleep is the most common bad habit among the people who use them. This was confirmed by a recent study conducted by the American researchers of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the researchers, sleeping with contact lenses not only causes the morning displeasure of having to remove the lenses that got stuck in the eyes, but it is also a risk factor for infections and irritations of the cornea, which is the clear part of the eye located in front of the pupil and iris. The probability of developing these disorders is very high.
What happens to the eyes in case of infection due to contact lenses?
The American study states that as many as 90% of interviewed people were affected by infections or irritations due to misuse of the lenses. ”The risk of contact lens infections and ulcers with serious consequences is far from low – says Professor Paolo Vinciguerra, head of the Humanitas Eye Center and professor at Humanitas University – A proof is the conspicuous number of transplants and laser treatments, which are an alternative to transplantation, carried out as a consequence of this type of infection”. Additionally, even though there are special contact lenses that can be worn even during the night, the experts recommend to take them off anyway, because the cornea needs to breathe and oxygenate. Even swimming with lenses and not replacing them daily, in the case of disposable lenses, are both habits that can increase the risk of diseases, even serious, of the eyes.
What to do after the first symptoms?
Sight reduction, redness of the eyes, tearing and also pus, are the symptoms of infections occurring in the eyes. “At the first symptoms of eyes discomfort, remove the lenses – says the expert. – If the symptoms continue even after removing the lenses, it is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist. During the visit it is important to remember to take the removed lenses with you, keeping them in a special container, so that they can be analyzed to see if they proliferate bacteria causing the infection”.
Prevention, 5 tips for a safe use of contact lenses
Those people who prefer lenses to glasses, or occasionally wear contact lenses, can avoid the risk of eye infections by following some precautions:
Always wash your hands with soap before handling the lenses
Use only the appropriate solution to wash and rinse the lenses; avoid washing them with tap water because it contains a type of bacteria that causes infection.
When washing the lenses, gently wipe them to remove bacteria and any residues (even if the packaging does not recommend it).
Replace the lens container every 3-4 months or empty it every day, wash it thoroughly, let it dry upside down and then refill it with the appropriate liquid in order to help prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
Change every day the liquid in which the lenses are immersed, do not just top it up.
Don’t use daily lenses for several days.
