been a great blessing for people with improper vision, if not properly taken care of and handled, these contact lenses can cause harmful effects that may even lead to blindness.Eyes are extremely sensitive organs of human body and it may become quite problematic if they get infected. Contact lenses themselves are a major cause of eye infections. They reduce the oxygen intake of external regions of eyes which may result in eye infections.
Most contact lens users claim that they know proper handling and storing directions related to contact lenses, but fail to follow these directions most of the time. People who follow the basic rules and recommendations of normal contact lens use form only 1% of the entire contact lens using population.
After several studies and researches, people have come to know that contact lens boxes/cases are the leading cause of eye infections. When was the last time you changed your contact lens box? Were you aware that these contact lens boxes may become home to many organisms that could harm your eyes?
It has been found out that almost a quarter of the entire contact lens using population does not replace their lens boxes when required. This is one of the causes of eye infections. In fact, in most cases, it has been the case that eye infection was tracked back down to have started from the infected person’s contact lens box.
Contact lens users are often in danger of microbial corneal infection, keratitis, and other fungal infections. Contact lens boxes, if not properly taken care of and handled, harbor organisms that may lead to these problems.
Contact lens boxes are also considered as potential source of harmful organisms that are linked with corneal ulcers. Microbial corneal infections due to contact lens boxes may lead to morbidity and blindness. This can even be life threatening.
While contact lens boxes along with contact lenses are washed using contact lens solution, harmful organisms such as fungi and bacteria resist disinfection by forming biofilms. These are colonies of microorganisms sticking to each other and to the contact lens boxes. Such formation of colonies often makes contact lens solutions ineffective.
Symptoms of Eye Infections due to Contact Lens Boxes
While these contact lens infections are rare, but when they do occur, it may become very difficult to treat them. Infections may even get advanced to such a stage that the only way to save an eye is going through a corneal transplant. So, it is important that people are able to catch such infection in their early stages so proper treatment can take place. If you suspect that you have contradicted an eye infection you should visit your eye doctor.
Common symptoms associated with eye infections are as follows:
- Vision loss or blurring vision
- Light sensitivity
- Eye irritation or redness
- Clouding of eye’s surface
- Eye swelling, pain, or discharge
How to Prevent Infections when it comes to Contact Lens Boxes?
You can take a few measures in order to prevent eye infections due to improper contact lens box care. All you have to do is:
Change your contact lens box every three to five months.
It is important to take proper care between contact lens box replacements.
After each use, you should rinse and clean your contact lens box thoroughly, using a contact lens solution, and let it dry completely. Do not use tap water as it may have harmful organisms.
So prevent the contamination of your contact lens box and keep those harmful organisms at bay. Best time to toss your old contact lens box and start with a new one is when you go for a fresh bottle of contact lens solution. Or, even better, start using disposable contact lenses.
About the Author
Roxie is a staff writer for many health and travel related communities and sites. She excels in writing articles related to families, kids, health issues etc.