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April 20, 2006
(937) 374-5660 or toll-free at 1(866) 858-3588
Greene County Combined Health Department reminds
Residents about Proper Eye/Contact Lens Care
(XENIA, OH) The annual risk of contact
lens-related eye infections is estimated to be between 4 and 21 per 10,000
patients respectively, depending on whether the lenses are worn only during the
day or continuously overnight. Such infections can be serious. The Greene
County Combined Health District reminds residents that proper eye and contact
lens care is important to help prevent eye infections.
A scratch or cut on the lens of the eye is
serious. Persons who have scratches or cuts on the eye should be treated by a
doctor. Having a scratch or cut on the eye does NOT mean the person has an eye
infection. Guidelines for eye care include:
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The eyes can be injured by scratches, cuts,
foreign bodies, burns, chemicals, and blows to the eye.
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Call an eye doctor any time the eye is
injured (immediately if the injury is serious). Wash your hands before
touching the injured eye. Do not press on it or rub it.
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To help prevent eye injuries, wear
protective glasses.
For contact lens wearers, the FDA advises
consumers to follow good hygiene practices and manufacturer’s instructions to
prevent infection:
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Wash hands with soap and water, and dry
(lint-free method) before handling lenses.
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Wear and replace lenses according to the
schedule prescribed by the doctor.
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Follow the specific lens cleaning and
storage guidelines from the doctor and the solution manufacturer.
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Keep the contact lens case clean and replace
every 3-6 months.
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Remove the lenses and consult your doctor
immediately if you experience symptoms such as redness, pain, tearing,
increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling.
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Contact lens users with questions about
which solutions are best for them should consult their eye-care
professionals and carefully weigh risks and benefits.
Recently, there have been two reported cases of
a rare eye infection, fusarium keratosis, in West Central Ohio. “Fusarium” is a
common fungus found in plants, water and soil. Fungal keratitis can be
associated with trauma to the surface of the eye, immunodeficiencies and contact
lens use. Organisms associated with contact lens keratitis are usually
bacterial rather than fungal and often stem from contamination of lens care
products or from contact lens storage cases. The usual treatments for such
infections are topical and oral antifungal medications.
For more information, please
call the GCCHD Epidemiologist Don Brannen at (937) 374-5660.
Greene County Combined Health
District - Your center for public health services and health information in
Greene County for over 70 years.
Healthy People…Healthy
Communities
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