Contact lenses are an ordinary part of life for users. We depend on them and generally don’t think much more about them.
I too was a casual user until yesterday when a laser eye technician watched me carelessly remove my lenses and improperly store them. What she explained, changed everything.
My casual care used to include placing a lens on the tip of my tongue if I needed to put it somewhere for a second. Apparently there are very serious conditions that can result from that habit and when she said, “your urine is cleaner than your mouth,” she had my attention.
Next she talked about eye parasites called Acanthamoeba. I was ready to rinse my lens in water for lack of solution when she explained that water carried the parasite and that lenses should never be in contact with water. That includes swimming, showering, hot tub water or wet hands.
The parasite, although rare, is very dangerous to the eyes. It is associated most often with contact lens wearers.
The best ways to reduce risk of infection or Acanthamoeba Keratitis are:
The parasite, although rare, is very dangerous to the eyes. It is associated most often with contact lens wearers.
The best ways to reduce risk of infection or Acanthamoeba Keratitis are:
- Follow doctor’s recommendations in regard to lens care, using recommended products.
- Never use or allow contact with water on contact lenses.
- Clean lenses and cases in fresh disinfecting solutions daily. Wetting and saline solutions will not disinfect.
- Wash and dry hand thoroughly before touching lenses.
- Clean reusable lenses with a stream of multipurpose solution immediately after removing and store in a case that is topped off with solution.
- For daily wear contacts, remember to remove them at the end of your day by associating that task with removing your bra, work clothes or brushing teeth.