A 31-year-old member asked:
How common are eye infections from contacts?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Bensingeranswered
Ophthalmology 54 years experience
Uncommon: Contacts when worn according to directions rarely cause infection. The major mistake made is to not remove the lenses when the eye becomes red to any degree. When there is an infection with a contact, the eyes get very red and light sensitive and may also lose (temporarily) vision depending upon the location and degree of infection. See your ophthalmologist for treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jay Bradleyanswered
Cornea, Cataract, & Refractive (LASIK & PRK) Surgery 20 years experience
Infection with CTL: Infections associated with contact lenses are uncommon if proper hygiene is utilized. Bacterial infections are by far the most common though. Pseudomonas, staphylococcal species are the most common.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
1 comment
Dr. Rajesh Khanna commented
Ophthalmology 31 years experience
Infections with contact lenses occur even with the best of hygiene. In fact contact lenses are 7 times more dangerous than LASIK according to published studies.
Sep 29, 2012
Similar questions
A 45-year-old member asked:
If I wear contacts, how can I cure my eye infections?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Richard Carlinanswered
Ophthalmology 52 years experience
Antibiotics: Antibiotics should clear up an eye infection. Because of the risk of scratching the cornea and introducing organisms that would infect the cornea, the contacts should be left out until the infection is gone. Then new lenses should be used to prevent reinfection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 29, 2012
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