Common contact lens mistake that could make you blind

Common contact lens mistake that could make you blind Don't make these errors, or you could risk vision loss Contact lenses can be helpful for a number of reasons, but experts are urging people to stop making one common mistake, warning that it could cost you your sight. Showering while wearing contacts can dramatically increase the risk of serious eye infections and damage. In the worst cases, it can cause blindness. Sleeping and swimming can also cause issues, with people being urged to stop doing all three. Experts at VisionDirect caution that while opting for lenses over glasses means "you'll experience improved levels of comfort, complete freedom of movement and the ability to do more activities with ease", it is "really inadvisable" to wear contacts when it comes to anything involving water, particularly showering. They explain: "Lenses absorb water very quickly, the longer they come into contact with your lenses, the higher the risk that they'll trap microorganisms in your eye. The most dangerous of these microorganisms is called Acanthamoeba, which can result in the rare but serious eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis. "This infection must be treated immediately, or it can lead to inflammation of the cornea, or in severe cases, is a risk factor for vision loss." It stresses that this is really important for people who wear "soft contact lenses" as these are "incredibly porous" which means it absorbs water faster. The vision experts add: "A wet contact lens will change shape, becoming uncomfortable to wear and causing blurry vision. "For this reason, it's better to avoid swimming in any water sources with contact lenses, unless, they're paired with water-tight goggles to avoid leakages or damage." It's not just Acanthamoeba keratitis that is an issue. Showering with your contact lenses can increase your risk of several eye issues, including: - eye conditions - eye infections - dry eyes - corneal ulcers - corneal abrasions or scratches What should I do if I showered with contact lenses? Experts urge people to step out of the shower, dry their hands, and remove their lenses straight away to stop bacteria from getting trapped in the eye. Daily contact lens wearers should dispose of their lenses straight away, while those using two-weekly or monthly lenses should first check for damage. If the lenses are damaged, they should be thrown away; if not, they must be sterilised in contact lens solution before being reapplied. VisionDirect added: "In the case that redness or soreness persists, reach out to your optometrist and seek professional medical advice. It’s best to also give your eyes a break, apply some eye drops and switch to your glasses for a bit." Symptoms that might indicate an eye infection for contact lens wearers include: - Eye discharge - Swelling - Teary eyes - Itchy eyes - Sensitivity to light - Blurry vision - Feeling like there’s something stuck in your eye In some helpful DO and DO NOT advice, experts at Specsavers have urged contact lens wearers to try and avoid the following: Do - Wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses or touching your eye - Stop wearing your lenses if your eyes become red or sore – contact your opticians for advice - Clean your lens case regularly and allow it to air dry - Check that the prescription on the lens packaging is correct - Check your contact lens solution instructions before use - Insert your lenses before applying eye make-up - Return for all the aftercare visits recommended by your optician - Contact your optician if you have any concerns or queries, however trivial they may seem - Throw away your lenses after the recommended period - Replace your lens case regularly - Replace the tops of solution bottles after use - Use fresh solution to store your lenses - Dispose of solution bottles after the recommended period Don't - Use tap water to store, clean or rinse your contact lenses or case - Ignore problems or discomfort with your lenses - Reuse the solutions of saline in your lens case - Wear your lenses longer than advised - Ignore problems or discomfort with your lenses - Hesitate to contact your optician if you have a problem - Handle your lenses with sharp nails as they can easily tear - Use your lenses for swimming, hot tubs or water sports, unless wearing goggles - Wear your lenses when showering unless you keep your eyes firmly closed - Lick your lenses - Sleep in your lenses (unless advised by your optician, as this can increase the risk of infection) - Wear your lenses if you are using eye drops prescribed by your doctor - Change your cleaning regime without contacting your opticians for professional advice