SOFT CONTACT LENSES AND EYE INFECTIONS

Nowadays, Eye glasses have taken a backseat and eye lenses are the latest thing in fashion. Lenses are available in a wide range of designs and colors that not only corrects the defect in the eye, but grooms an individual’s personality as well. But if proper care is not taken, these lenses can lead to severe sight problems as well.

One of these diseases is microbial keratitis. Cornea, the outermost portion of the eye is a very sensitive area. There is a high probability that this cornea may get infected by viruses, bacteria and fungi in case proper care of these soft lenses is not taken.

Hence as the old adage goes “prevention is better than cure”, so in order to avoid any kind of problem, steps must be taken in advance. This can be done once we are familiar with the symptoms of the disease.

The disease may get initiated with a small pain in the eye, which may further transform into itching, redness, blurred vision, burning, excessive tearing white patch on the cornea and discharge may also mark the beginning of keratitis.

So if you encounter any of these indications, medical consultation should be taken immediately. Besides one should try and remain way from the factors that root it. Some simple things that must be taken care of to avoid it are mainly related to one’s hygiene. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended some measure as follows:

• One must always read carefully the instructions given on the cover of the lenses and obey them strictly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before putting and removing your lenses.
• Change your lenses at regular intervals of time – approximately 3 months.
• Before undertaking any kind of water activities, one must remove the lenses to avoid any kind of germ penetration. Moreover do not put the lenses in any other container but the original one.
• Do not wash your lenses with tap water, they may get infected. Rather use sterile contact lens solution.

These simple steps must be kept in mind and followed so as to prevent oneself from damaging the eyes and using lenses for a longer tenure.

Decrease in Wearing Comfort of Monthly Replacement Contact Lenses

A research was carried out among the lens wearers in France. It was concluded that lens wearers’ complaint of discomfort in wearing as the month progressed. When asked about in which weeks of the month they experience this problem, all of them unanimously agreed that the problem started in the third or fourth month of using the lenses. The prime trouble is the dryness – that is the cause of discomfort. Moreover it has been found that the problem is the same irrespective of the kind of lenses being used – i.e. whether hydro gel or silicone hydrogel.The only slight difference that could be pointed out is the fact that silicone hydro gel wearers encountered these symptoms earlier as compared to the hydro gel wearers.

But when the whole issue was analyzed at close quarters the sole reason that came out for this complaint was that the users exceed the recommended wear and replacement schedule of a lens according to DR Hickson-Curran. Moreover many youngsters change their lenses frequently – may be twice a week or within 15 days or may be an year that is not advisable by the doctors. Apart from causing irritation it may also lead to severe eye infections and greater risks. To help the users deal with these issues, VISTAKON® offers a complimentary online reminder service called ACUMINDER™.It helps you set reminders for all the things you need to take care of if you are using eye lenses as in the time you need to replace them, the time you need to clean them or when you need to get your eyesight rechecked. Besides, social networking websites like face book has also started special services on which one can set reminders. So if one wants to use the lenses for a better and longer period of time thus using it efficiently, one must be regularly follow the guidance of the experts.