How to Avoid Lens-Related Eye Infections
March 12 -- Approximately 36 million people in the United States wear contact lenses. Of these, more than 25,000 develop contact lens-related corneal infections each year. Such infections can lead to scarring and potential blindness.
Contact lenses, disinfection solutions and storage cases can easily become contaminated with bacteria, fungi, and free-living protozoa called Acanthamoeba.
A study recently published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology raises the concern that some commercially available contact lens storage solutions are not capable of killing Acanthamoeba.
Such single-celled pathogens, commonly found in tap water, swimming pools, lakes, and hot tubs, can attach to new or worn soft or hard contact lenses and lead to painful, progressive corneal infections.
Risks for Acanthamoeba Infection
Contact lens use is the single greatest risk factor for developing ocular Acanthamoeba infection.
Acanthamoeba-contaminated tap water or non-sterile solutions used to rinse the contact lenses or storage case can also harbor bacteria or fungi, which the Acanthamoeba ingest as an energy source to thrive and multiply. Acanthamoeba readily adhere to contact lenses, which carry the amoeba to the cornea.
Always Remember to 'RSVP'
Contact lenses are medical devices, which, by law, require prescription by an eye care professional. Patient education and periodic examination by either an eye doctor or optometrist are essential to maintaining the eye health of contact-lens wearers.
The warning signs of contact lens infection are represented by the acronym "RSVP", where R=redness, SV=sudden visual loss, and P=pain. If any of these signs or symptoms occurs, immediately remove your contact lenses. Do not patch the eye, as this may actually accelerate the infection.
This is a true eye emergency; time is of the essence and one should seek immediate evaluation by an eye care professional.
Contact Lens Disinfection Comes in 3 Flavors
There are 3 disinfection systems available for contact lenses — heat, chemical disinfection and oxidation using hydrogen peroxide.
