The U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that about 1 million Americans suffer from eye infections each year due to dirty contact lenses.
Contact lenses are effective vision correction device, which is also very convenient and comfortable to use. Millions of people worldwide use contact lenses and in the U.S. more than 30 million people are believed to wear contact lenses.
Even though contact lenses are easy and safe to wear on a daily basis, it has some risks involved if not taken care of properly. Being a medical device, contact lenses should be properly cleaned before use and stored as per directions.
Latest CDC report suggests that about 1 million eye infections occur in contact lenses users due to improper cleaning, usage and storage habits. Dirty lenses can cause a microbial eye infection called keratitis.
CDC reports that in 2010, about 58,000 Americans had to be admitted to emergency departments due to keratitis. The CDC report reveals that keratitis makes people suffer and at the same time costs the government about $175 million per year.
"Wearing contacts and not taking care of them properly is the single biggest risk factor of keratitis," says Dr. Jennifer Cope, study author and medical epidemiologist at the CDC.
Most of the keratitis cases are easily treated using antimicrobial creams or eye drops as prescribed by doctors. However, severe keratitis infections, which go untreated, may result in scarring of the cornea that can lead to loss of vision. In rare cases, severe keratitis can also cause blindness.
Dr. Cope revealed that keratitis symptoms are very visible as it can cause redness in the eyes, irritation or pain in the eyes and discharge from the eye. Dr. Cope suggests that patients suffering from keratitis should see symptoms improve either on their own or with the use of prescription antibiotic creams or drops. However, if symptoms do not improve, patients should seek help from an ophthalmologist.
The CDC reaffirms that contact lens users should take proper care of their vision devices to avoid eye infections. In a bid to reduce keratitis and eye infections due to contact lenses, the CDC has also announced the week starting Nov. 17 as the "Contact Lens Health Week." The CDC will hope this week spreads more awareness about contact lenses, its proper use and the risks involved.
Check out the entire CDC report called "Estimated Burden of Keratitis - United States, 2010."
