THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR FIRST-TIME WEARERS
When Michael Krumholz, 21, fell asleep with his contact lenses on, little did he know that life as he knew it would change after his 40-minute nap. He woke up knowing something wasn’t right and thought it was just allergies or pink eye. Krumholz’s aunt, Karen Roth, explained his condition on the social fundraising platform GoFundMe to raise funds for her nephew’s treatment. “He was misdiagnosed with HSV1 in his eye. They gave him some medication, but this actually worsened his condition. After three different ophthalmologists and two cornea specialists’ visits, he was correctly diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a very rare flesh-eating parasite,” she wrote. Since December 2022, Krumholz, who’s based in Florida (US) has had two surgeries and is still fighting the infection.
Dr Kamal B Kapur, medical director at Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, explains, “Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare and serious eye infection that affects the cornea and the clear outer covering of the eye. The infection occurs due to the microorganism
Get a comprehensive eye examination done to ensure you have the correct prescription.
Learn how to insert and remove the lenses safely, and follow hygiene practices.
Follow the recommended wearing schedule and know the signs of potential problems like discomfort or redness.
If anyone is experiencing any unusual symptom or discomfort, remove the lens and contact an eye care specialist immediately.
Inputs by Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev
amoeba, which after infecting the eye begins to ‘eat’ the layers of the cornea causing corneal thinning and melting.” He adds that if the damage caused by amoeba continues, it can lead to permanent blindness or loss of vision.
The infection is associated with the incorrect use of contact lenses, particularly if they are worn while sleeping, swimming, or showering. “It can affect those who don’t disinfect lenses properly, use soft lenses, have had corneal trauma, or use tap water for cleaning. Weak immune system can also increase the risk,” cautions Dr Mahipal Singh Sachdev, chairman, Centre for Sight.
Neglecting proper hygiene and care while wearing contact lenses can also lead to other infections such as bacterial keratitis, fungal keratitis, conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal abrasions and corneal ulcers, among others.
‘NEVER NEGLECT CONTACT CARE,’ SAY THOSE WHO’VE SUFFERED
Aishwarya Sati, 37, used to wear monthly disposable lenses during the early days of her career. But each time she wore them, she ended up experiencing pink eye, excessive watering and sensitivity to light. “Even when I wore them for a shorter duration, I would end up with slightly red, strained eyes,” explains the Delhibased digital media professional. Her ophthalmologist told her it was due to “a lack of oxygen supply to the cornea”. But even after trying different brands of lenses, her problem persisted. “Finally, I got a Lasik surgery done in 2013,” says Sati.
Bengaluru-based IT engineer Konark Bana’s story is no different. The 29-yearold’s lenses were “eating” his cornea and impacting his vision. “I used to wear lenses in college every day for a whole year. Then, I started experiencing irritation in one eye, and when I tried looking at something directly, I wasn’t able to; I would have to see from the side,” he shares. Doctors told him he had “dry eyes and lenses needed moisture”. “Basically, lenses were sucking out the moisture, leaving the cornea scarred,” says Bana, who got relief after several months of using a prescribed eye lubricant.
HYGIENE IS KEY
Contact lenses are foreign bodies for the eyes, which can get rejected when they come in contact with dust, fomites, fumes, etc. “Go for daily wear lenses and don’t try to put them on in a hurry. Make sure they’re polished and cleaned with a solution. If you happen to wear them for more than eight hours, put some lubricating drops in the eyes to soothe them,” advises Dr Aarti Nangia, ophthalmologist, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj.
Dr Kapur adds, “Remember to fill your lens storage case with fresh solution every time you open it. Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap and water and dry them before handling lenses. Replace them regularly as recommended by an expert. Don’t use saline solution or tap water to rinse and store your lenses.”
Experts also ask to bear these important points in mind:
Never use someone else’s lenses. Change storage cases at least once every three months.
Avoid using eye drops without doctor’s prescription.
Consult an ophthalmologist if you experience eye pain or redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, sensation of something in the eye, or excessive tearing. Wear prescription swimming goggles instead of lenses if going into a pool.