Eye infections aren’t usually directly caused from contact lenses, rather they develop as a result of poor hygiene in handling contact lenses.
This also means that they can be easily avoided by practicing good hygiene before applying and removing your lenses, and abiding by a thorough contact lens cleaning routine.
Wearing contact lenses when you have an eye infection can aggravate the infection and cause even more pain and discomfort. That’s why, in the event that you have developed an eye infection, the first thing you do should be to stop wearing contact lenses until you’ve met with your optician or GP.
What are the symptoms of an eye infection?
Typical symptoms of an eye infection include: Pain or swelling, dry eyes, itchiness, mucus discharge, light sensitivity, excessive tearing and blurred vision.
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s advisable to visit to your GP or optician, especially if the infection hasn’t subsided after a few days.
How can I prevent eye infections from contact lenses?
Eye infections can be pretty unpleasant to endure, so it makes sense to do all you can to avoid this unpleasantness. Fortunately, there are plenty of hygiene and safety tips to follow that can greatly reduce the chances of infection.
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses
- Remove your lenses before bed. And, if you’re wearing monthly or two weekly contact lenses, make sure to clean them and store them in contact lens solution properly
- Clean out your contact lens case with fresh solution after every use, and replace your case entirely every three months
- If your eyes start to feel irritated or uncomfortable, you should take your contact lenses out as soon as possible to avoid worsening your condition
Quick links:
Do I need an eye test?
How to look after your contact lenses