Study shows contact lenses can hurt eyes

"FORTY per cent of microbial corneal infections in Bahrain are due to misuse of contact lenses, according to a study by the Ministry of Health.
Other risk factors are as follows: 12 per cent dry eyes, 10 per cent blepharitis, eight per cent trauma, eight per cent lid malposition, two per cent corneal transplant and 20 per cent miscellaneous and unknown causes.
Physician Dr Nada Al Yousuf emphasised the role of contact lenses and its relation with this kind of infections. She noted that the mean age of contact lens wearer with keratitis was 21.
She stated that the majority of those cases were due to pseudomonas bacteria which is one on the dangerous microbes affecting the cornea. Moreover, 92 per cent of those cases have ended with permanent scarring to the cornea which loses the cornea its transparency and causes reduction of vision. One per cent of those infections were so severe that it required therapeutic corneal transplant.
Because of the visual morbidity associated with those infections and in view of the young age of such patients, using the proper instructions to prevent contact lens keratitis cannot be overemphasised.

"Sleeping with the contact lenses is one of the most important risk factors for microbial infection of the cornea. This is because while sleeping the corneal is deprived of oxygen which makes it more prone to infections," she said.

Moreover, Dr Al yousuf warned contact lens users not to bathe or swim with the lenses. This is because of the strong association between parasitic bacterial infections (Acanthamoeba) and contaminated water.

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