Keeping your contact lenses in regularly while in the shower can increase your risk of developing a painful and sight-threatening infection by seven times, according to a study. study. UK researchers studied the habits of 78 contact lens wearers to determine risk factors for developing keratitis microbial related to contact lenses. This condition causes painful redness of the eye and ulcers on the surface of the cornea. If left untreated, it can cause blurred vision and permanent corneal scarring.
Scientists also discovered that wearing contact lenses while sleeps can increase the risk of microbial keratitis by three times.
Why is it dangerous to shower with contact lenses?
It is estimated that some 5 million people in Spain use contact lenses. Associated eye infections are common and one of the leading causes of vision loss in only one eye. Microbial keratitis affects thousands of people in Spain alone each year.
However, it is true that vision correction lenses offer many benefits. However, microbial keratitis related to them is a common cause of permanent visual impairment, and some cases may even require a corneal transplant or result in loss of the eye.
La small hygiene of contact lenses is a known contributing factor to infection, with 66% of complications attributed to poor hygiene practices and wide variation in hygiene knowledge and risk recognition among regular wearers.
In their study, Professor Hossain and colleagues interviewed 78 lens wearers, 37 of whom had previously developed microbial keratitis. Specifically, subjects were asked about the type of lenses they wore, how long they wore them, their personal hygiene habits, and whether they ever slept or showered while still wearing their lenses.
The team found that not taking them off before showering was a leading cause of infection, and the risk of microbial keratitis was multiplied by seven among those who showered daily. Showerheads can provide a breeding ground for bacteria that can ultimately end up spreading under the surface of a contact lens.
Sleeping with contact lenses also causes infection
Similarly, people who slept with their lenses in, depriving the cornea of oxygen and recovery time, were found to increase their risk of infection by three times.
Age was also found to be a risk factor, and those with 25 and 39 years between They are the ones with the most potential.
Approximately 140 million people worldwide use this product successfully with a very low incidence of serious complications. However, this research is welcome to help promote and raise awareness of how to maximize safe use. Contact lens wear is safe as long as wearers carefully follow the personal hygiene advice issued by their optometrist or contact lens professional.