A 27-year-old member asked:

Even though you keep yourself really clean, can you still catch infection in eye from contacts?

2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Chang
Specializes in Ophthalmology
Yes: Yes it's possible, but the risk is minimized. Clean hands hygiene when handling the lenses. Proper wear and replacement schedule -- no overusage. No sleeping in the lenses. Avoid hot tubs with contacts on. Take out contacts when putting in eyedrops.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Harvey Fishman
Ophthalmology 23 years experience
Yes!: Contact lenses can deprive the cornea of oxygen causing the epithelium to breakdown thus exposing it to bacterial colonization . No matter how clean you are bacteria always exist on the cornea and can cause an eye infection. Some really nasty bacteria can even penetrate healthy cornea.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Apr 23, 2016

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