MOST CONTACT LENS WEARERS PUT THEMSELVES AT RISK OF INFECTION

Contact lenses have vastly improved options for those with poor sight. However, they can also cause permanent vision loss if not worn properly.

This is a thin, curved lens that is designed to sit on a film of tears covering the surface of the eye. A number of options are available for wearers, including lenses worn for one day, a month or six months - and hard or soft.

However, using them does not come without risks. According to Dr Anita Assam, an Optometrist at Opti Sure, the biggest problem with contact lenses is not the devices themselves, but the people who wear them. “Many people tend to not use them properly and safely,” she said.

The most serious eye infection one can contract is keratitis, caused by bacteria and other organisms that affect the cornea. And this is usually caused by overnight wear of the lenses.

She warns: “Wearing lenses which are not designed for extended wear overnight can lead to infections, corneal ulcers, and other health problems that can cause permanent vision loss.”

This is because contact lenses reduce the much-needed supply of oxygen to the cornea, or the surface of your eye, she says.

“Normally, the cornea gets oxygen both from blood vessels in the eyelid at night and from the air during the day. A regular contact lens user relies on the night-time supply to keep the eye healthy, so cutting off night-time oxygen can be devastating,” she added.

If you don’t know whether you have left a lens in or not, possibly because it has slipped off the centre of the eye, you can look for certain signs. “The first and most obvious is discomfort. The other is that if you wake up and can see without putting on your glasses, you should always make sure you haven’t forgotten to remove your lenses the previous evening,” cautioned Dr Assam.

Contact lens dos and don’ts;

DO:

• Wash and dry your hands before

handling your lenses

• Apply your lenses before putting on make-up

• Keep your eyes closed when using hairspray or other aerosols

DON’T:

• 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

• Wet your lenses with saliva