Contact Lenses and Eye Infections

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Dr. Birendra Jha
Clinical Focus Specialities
LASIK, Phaco Glaucoma Specialist
Education
(M.S. (OPHTH) , F.P.O.S.)
Our Location

• Cataract surgeon in Indore
• Best pediatric ophthalmologist in Indore
• Squint specialist in Indore
• Squint treatment in Indore
• Lasik eye surgery in Indore
• Lasik surgeon in Indore
• Doctor for Lasik surgery in Indore
• Squint surgeon in Indore
• Best eye specialist in Indore
• Eye surgeon in Indore

 Location  Satsang-Sagar" First Floor, Opp. Sica
School, Scheme No. 54, Vijay Nagar,
Indore(M.P.).  Tel  [phone],  Mobile
 91-88199-24707, 91-99771-41260  Fax
 91-99771-41260  Email  info_at_indoreindiaeyecare
.com  Web  www.indoreindiaeyecare.com
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Contact Lenses and Eye Infections
Contact lenses are a convenient and comfortable
alternative to eyeglasses for many people. But
you can't wear them all the time. And if you
don't clean and care for them correctly, you're
more likely to get eye infections.
People who wear contact lenses have a higher risk
for keratitis, an infection of the cornea, the
clear outer covering of your eye. They're also
called corneal ulcers. Viruses, bacteria, fungi,
and a rare but serious eye parasite can cause
keratitis.
It's also easier for you to catch pinkeye, or
conjunctivitis, when you wear contacts. These
infections come from a bacteria or virus in the
thin membrane covering the white part of your eye
and the inside of your eyelids.
Eye Infection Symptoms
Stop wearing your contact lenses immediately if
you have these symptoms

• Redness
• Swelling
• Extra tears or sticky, gooey stuff from your eye

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• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Itching, burning, or a feeling that something's
  in your eye
• Eye pain

Call your eye doctor as soon as possible. Some
problems can be quite serious and need treatment
right away to save your sight.
Don't throw your lenses away. Put them in the
case, and bring them when you see your eye
doctor. They may give him or her a clue about
what's wrong since cultures are sometimes taken
off contact lenses to determine what is causing
the infection.
These symptoms could also be an allergic reaction
to the lenses themselves or to another irritation
in your eyes, like pollen.
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Bacteria
The "normal" bacteria on our skin, mouth, and
nose usually don't cause any harm. But the
combination of a lot of them on your contact
lenses and any small scrape on your eye
(sometimes caused by sleeping in them) can be
very dangerous.
About a third of people have Staphylococcus
aureus in their nose. It's easily spread to your
eyes by your hands, and it's stubborn and hard to
treat. Wash your hands and keep your contacts
sterile to avoid an eye infection from it.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that can
cause a fast-moving infection of your cornea and
leave a hole in your eye. You could lose your
vision permanently. Make sure you clean and
disinfect your lenses and lens case correctly,
and don't keep either longer than you should.
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Mild bacterial infections of the eye surface
usually clear up after treatment with antibiotic
eyedrops.
Viruses
The herpes simplex virus -- both the kind that
causes cold sores and the kind responsible for
the STD -- can cause keratitis. You can transfer
it if you touch an active herpes sore and then
touch your eye. Viruses that cause upper
respiratory infections and the chickenpox virus
can also infect your cornea.
Pinkeye most often comes from the common cold
virus.
A virus can easily spread to your other eye or to
someone else.
You'll probably have to wait out a viral
infection, but you can ease your symptoms with a
cool compress and artificial tears. Your doctor
may recommend steroid eyedrops to ease swelling,
too.
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Parasites
Tiny one-celled animals called acanthamoeba live
in water, including tap water, swimming pools,
and hot tubs. They can infect your eye more
easily if you're wearing contacts while you're in
the water. If you wear contacts, avoid opening
your eyes in a hot tub where this parasite is
typically found.
They're also the reason you shouldn't use water
-- even distilled or bottled water -- to clean
and store your contacts.
Keratitis caused by these parasites is very hard
to treat. You may need a cornea transplant.
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Fungal
It doesn't happen often, but you can get fungal
infections in your eye. These can lead to
blindness. They're usually treated with
antifungal eyedrops or pills.
Prevent Eye Infections
Lower your risk of an eye infection by following
these guidelines

• Don't reuse or "top off" cleaning solution. Use
  fresh solution every day.
• Keep your lens case clean. Replace it every
  couple of months.
• Wash your hands often, especially before you
  handle your contacts.
• Take out your lenses, even extended-wear ones,
  before you go to sleep.
• Don't wear your contacts in the shower, bath, or
  hot tub. Take them out before you go swimming.
• Read the labels and follow directions on your
  lenses and contact cleaning solution.
• Don't sleep in your contact lenses.

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Dr. Birendra Jha is a highly experienced Lasik
surgeon in Indore for Lasik eye surgery. They
provide Cataract surgery, Squint treatment,
Pediatric Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Lasik eye
surgery, Orbit and Oculoplasty at very affordable
price. If are you planning for Lasik eye surgery
in Indore with the best Eye surgeon, come to the
Indore India Eye Care. Book an Appointment today
call us 99771- 41260, 91-88199-24707 and online
visit for more Information.
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Our Location  Location  Satsang-Sagar" First
Floor, Opp. Sica School, Scheme No. 54, Vijay
Nagar, Indore(M.P.).  Tel  [phone],  Mobi
le  91-88199-24707, 91-99771-41260  Fax
 91-99771-41260  Email  info_at_indoreindiaeyecare
.com  Web  www.indoreindiaeyecare.com