Tips to Avoid Eye Infection from Contacts

No one wants an eye infection from contacts. If you’ve ever slept in your contact lenses, worn disposable lenses past the prescribed replacement schedule or gone for a dip in the community pool without removing contacts from your eyes first, it’s time to rethink your habits.

Why? Because poor choices can lead to serious infections in some cases, says optometrist Reecha Kampani, OD.

The good news? You can usually avoid these health problems by knowing what to watch for and by practicing good habits.

Dr. Kampani shares how proper care can help prevent a contact lens infection and why you shouldn’t wear your contacts all the time.

Can you get an eye infection from wearing contacts too long?

Yes, you can.

That’s why it’s important to take your contacts out each day and give your eyes a break. You also shouldn’t wear your contact lenses beyond their intended period of time (daily, monthly, etc.).

“When you’re wearing contact lens, you’re getting less oxygen to the eye than normal. So, if you’re then overwearing that contact you’re putting the eye under more stress than it would be otherwise,” explains Dr. Kampani. “And that’s compounded by the fact that a soft lens contact is porous and can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.”

This can cause eye infections like:

• Pink eye.
• Staphylococcus aureus.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Aspergillus or fusariam.

An eye infection can lead to a higher risk of microbial keratitis, or a corneal infection or even a corneal ulcer.

Tips to avoid a contact lens eye infection

It’s important to make sure you follow proper care and cleaning when it comes to contact lenses. Dr. Kampani shares the following tips on how to avoid an eye infection if you wear contacts.

1. Remember that water and contacts don’t mix

Whenever she fits patients for contact lenses, Dr. Kampani shares the rule of the three “S’s”: don’t sleep, swim or shower in your lenses.

The second two “S’s” apply to water. Water may contain pathogens or pollutants that cause the infections outlined above, so be careful not to get any in your eye — especially while wearing contacts.

Swimming presents specific problems. Pools, lakes and even hot tubs may harbor bacteria and microbes that can produce a serious infection, such as acanthamoeba keratitis, which is caused by a free-swimming amoeba. This type of infection can cause visual impairment or even blindness.

2. Don’t overwear your contacts

First, don’t wear lenses beyond their recommended replacement schedule. Secondly, don’t sleep in lenses.

“One of the biggest problems with overwearing or sleeping in the lenses is you’re getting less oxygen to the eye,” Dr. Kampani says. “This can lead to infection, inflammation and abrasions to the eye because the added oxidative stress makes the eye more vulnerable to various bacteria and pathogens.”

If you wear soft contact lenses, pay special attention. These lenses create the ideal condition for pathogens to grow, like a petri dish. Daily disposable soft lenses have helped reduce the risk of complications, but healthy habits are still extremely important.

3. Store and disinfect your lenses properly

Some people tend to reuse their contact lens cleaning and storage solution. Or they “top it off” instead of adding fresh solution to their lens cases every day. The minor savings you get from this aren’t worth a potential infection.

Throw out your solution and start fresh daily. And be sure to replace lens cases once every three months, too, Dr. Kampani says. Using a case for too long can add to pathogen buildup.

“Make sure you’re washing your hands before your touch your eyes,” stresses Dr. Kampani. “And avoid touching or rubbing your eyes when you have contacts in.”

4. Try a hydrogen peroxide solution

Storing contact lenses in a hydrogen peroxide-based solution is an efficient way to reduce bacteria. These solutions, available in stores, are especially effective at cleaning lenses, Dr. Kampani says.

Various brands may have different directions for soaking the lenses, so be sure to check labels. Usually, the recommendation is to store the lenses in the solution for at least four to six hours. It’s safe enough to use every day. Make sure you don’t put the solution directly into the eye or rinse the lenses without the proper supplied case.

Bottom line?

Unfortunately, contact lenses and eye infections are common. If you have an eye infection you may experience:

• Red eyes.
• Itching or irritation.
• Eye pain.
• Watery eyes.
• Swelling.
• Eye discharge.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Blurred vision.

You should stop wearing your contacts immediately and contact your eye doctor if you have any symptoms. Your vision is too important to risk long-term damage from an infection. An eye infection won’t go away on its own — and some contact lens-relation eye infections may cause vision loss and have other serious complications.