If you are a sufferer of poor eyesight chances are that you have tried glasses, contact lenses, and maybe you have even considered LASIK eye surgery. Glasses provide an easy solution to your eyesight needs but can sometimes cause headaches and get in the way of other activities like sports. Having surgery, though non invasive, can seem like a big step and scary option. Contact lenses provide that middle ground where you can provide a quick solution to your blurry vision and not have to deal with the bulkiness of glasses. Contact Lenses have been on the market long enough to trust them and offer various kinds to suit your likes and needs. But with anything there are always risks; contact lenses are no exception to this rule.
Common irritations are often associated with contact lenses such as redness, dryness, itching, or just discomfort but what are the major risks we should be thinking about every time we put our contacts on? Some major risks with contact lenses include corneal ulcers, corneal abrasion, more frequent eye infections like pink eye, and in serious and rare cases even blindness! If eye infections are not closely monitored and treated by a medical professional they can lead to corneal ulcers which are open sore in the outer layer of your cornea. Therefore, you should work on minimizing infection in order to maintain healthy eyes.
Taking care of your contacts is the first step in preventing infection. Make sure every time you take your lenses out you are using a no rub saline solution or you are taking the time to rub the disinfectant onto the lens so that it is clean going into your lens case. Always put fresh contact solution in your lens case, making sure you do not reuse contact solution. If you run out of saline solution do not substitute it with water because tap or distilled water is known to contain Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment and cure. Avoid swimming with your contacts or wear secure goggles so that your contacts do not get exposed to possible infections.
Be sure to adhere to your specific contact lens instructions. For example, if you are supposed to take them out each night before going to bed, do so. Change them as often as indicated and even change our lens case every 3-6 months to maintain sanitation.
Despite contact lenses being a common solution for those with eyesight limitations, it is imperative to know the risks and take the steps needed to prevent any complications. As risks are associated with most things, by following directions and seeking medical assistance immediately if there is any change in your eyesight or eye appearance, you will lower the likelihood of risks.