What You Need to Know About Contacts-Related Eye Infections

About 45 million people in the United States wear contact lenses, according to the American Optometry Association (AOA). While contacts are extremely safe, failure to handle and care for them properly can increase the risk of infection.

In today’s blog post, your optometrist from Vienna Eyecare Center sheds light on contact lens-related eye infections and how to prevent them.

What Causes the Infection?

Eye infections caused by contact lenses can occur due to a variety of reasons, including sleeping with your contact lenses on, using the wrong cleaning solution to clean your lenses or failing to follow the recommended replacement schedule. All these user errors can cause microbes to build up under the lenses, increasing the risk of the eye infection.

What Are the Symptoms to Watch Out For?

Excessive tearing is one major symptom of a contact lens-related eye infection. Bacteria can cause the eyes to emit a discharge or pus. Unusual redness may also become apparent, coupled with pain and a feeling that something is stuck in the eyes. Visiting an eye doctor is imperative should you have these symptoms.

What Can Be Done to Prevent It?

Before cleaning your contact lenses, wash your hands. Then, place the lenses on your clean palm and gently rub the lens solution into them. Rinse them thoroughly and store the lenses in their proper case with the new solution, making sure not to top off the old one. Replace the case with a new one at least three times a year. Most importantly, discard your old lenses and get new ones per the replacement schedule recommended by your doctor.

Vienna Eyecare Center offers a variety of high-quality eye care products and professional services designed to meet your vision needs. These include eyeglasses and contact lenses from notable brands, as well as other vision correction methods and dry eye treatments.

Call us today at (703) 938-7633 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free appointment. We serve Vienna, Reston and McLean, VA.