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CONTAT LENS WEARER

Always prioritize
the health of your eyes

Understand the contact lens (CL) safety tips when using contact lenses to prevent  Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) one of the severe eye infections with sight threatening consequences.

Why can’t I swim, shower, etc. in my contact lenses?

This puts you at much higher risk of getting  Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK), a devastating eye infection. AK is caused by an amoeba that can be found in any kind of water and get stuck by your contact lens when in contact with water, eating away your cornea which results in incredible pain and blindness.

But isn’t Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) rare?

For the general population, it is a rare condition. For contact lens wearers, who expose their lenses to water, it is becoming more common and it is a serious risk that needs more attention.

The incidence of  Acanthamoeba Keratitis is increasing amongst contact lenses wearers quite rapidly. Around 150 million people use contact lenses for medical or cosmetic purposes, yet many are not adequately informed about safe handling practices. They may unknowingly expose their lenses to water, risking potentially serious consequences. The risk of AK is for all types of contact lenses (daily, weekly, monthly, and full year) whether they are soft or rigid gas permeable.

How can I see well in water without contact lenses?

For people with lower prescriptions, it is worth the trade off to deal with slightly blurry vision. People with higher prescriptions can get prescription swimming goggles. You can also consider getting refractive surgery. There are several options eliminating the need for external correction. Get informed about the best solution for your situation.

I have exposed my lenses to water. What symptoms should I look out for? What should I do?

SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE: 

  • Inability to wear contact lenses
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Irritation or grittiness
  • Light sensitivity from mild to extreme
  • Redness
  • Excessive tearing
  • Change in vision (blurred to complete loss of vision)
  • Pain from mild to excruciating
  • Headache
  • Severe eye pain and trigeminal neuralgia (pain which occurs on the side of the face)

REMOVE YOUR CONTACT LENSES and store them in their contact lens case without cleaning. Remember to bring them with you to your doctor for possible analysis.

SEE YOUR EYE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY and make it clear that you have exposed your contact lenses to water. It is crucial that you ask your doctor to rule out AK before starting any medication, particularly corticoids or steroids. This may need referral to a cornea specialist. If available, advocate for an early confocal scan to confirm the diagnosis. Time is of the essence!

SAFETY TIPS FOR CL WEAR & CARE

Avoid Water with CL:

  • Do not shower, swim or engage in any water activities while wearing CL. (fresh, sea or chlorinated water)
  • Never rinse CL or their case with tap water or mineral water.

Maintain Hand Hygiene:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Thoroughly dry your hands before handling CL or their case.

Clean and Store CL Properly:

  • Use only the recommended CL solutions for rinsing, cleaning and disinfecting each time you handle your CL.
  • Select a case with separate compartments for each CL
  • Do not refill old solutions. Always use a fresh solution in a clean CL case.
  • Never use water or salvia!

CL Case Care:

  • Empty the case daily, rinse it with fresh CL solution and let it air dry.
  • Replace the case at least every 3 months.

Give your Eyes a Break:

  • Remove CL before sleeping and limit wearing them to 10 hours daily.
  • If you are unwell, avoid wearing CL, as a weakened immune system increases the risk of eye infections.

Regularly Replace CL:

  • Prolonged use of CL can damage your eyes.
  • Consider using single use daily disposable.

Be Prepared:

  • Always have glasses as a backup in case you unexpectedly need to remove your CL when away from home and carry a set of fresh solutions and a CL casing.
  • Find an eye clinic with a good reputation in your area in case of unforeseen problems and have the phone number ready.

Pay Attention to Symptoms:

  • If you are experiencing foreign body sensation, eye pain, light sensitivity, redness or vision changes, remove your CL immediately.
  • Make a prompt appointment with your eye doctor, take your CL with casing to the doctor for laboratory tests and inform them if your CL have been in contact with water.

CL and Makeup:

  • Insert CL before applying makeup and remove them before removing makeup.