All your efforts of keeping your circle lenses free from
bacteria accumulation have been just a waste provided your contact lens cases are contaminated/ not replaced on timely basis. Cases of contact lenses need
similar disinfection that your contact lenses go through. Ignorantly, most of
the contact lens wearers are involved in bad hygienic practices that increase
the risks of contamination in contact lens cases as revealed by a study
published in February issue of Optometry
and Vision Science, official journal
of the American Academy of Optometry
3 Hygiene Practices Linked with Contact Lens Case Contamination
The study assessed habits of 119 contact lens wearers against
their provided used cases of contact lenses. Three hygienic habits were claimed
to have been closely knitted with contamination in contact lens cases.
1. Abstaining from washing hands with soap & water
Patients who avoid washing hands before handling contact
lenses with soap & water were at higher risk of contaminating the cases of
contact lenses. The best way to reduce the risk is to every time wash your hands
properly with soap, as washing only with tap water do not make a difference.
2. Abstaining from air-drying contact lens cases
Chances of bacteria accumulation are higher when the contact
lens cases are not allowed to air dry before storing contact lenses. Cases must
always be put to air-drying with lids off and faces down. Water carries microorganisms
that may attract the floating bacteria in air. Another study previously
suggested that “Rub,
Rinse, Tissue-wipe & Air dry” is the best pragmatic approach to keep
cases free from harmful bacteria accumulation.
3. Using mismatched contact lens cases & disinfectants
Contamination was increased when patients used cases &
disinfecting solutions from different manufacturers. Cases that come with your contact
lenses are only to save you from agony. Therefore, get your FDA approved contact lens cases asap.
There are other risks factors involved such as continuing to
use your contact lens cases for more than 3 months or failing to replace your
contact lenses past the expiry.
"Lens cases play an essential role in disinfection of contact lenses," comments Anthony Adams, OD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Optometry and Vision Science. "However, without proper maintenance, the lens case itself may become contaminated with micro-organisms during handling".
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Reference:
Wolters Kluwer Health
Related: Avoid Contaminating your Contact Lenses: 3 Things to Know
Cute & inexpensive contact lens cases |
Related: Avoid Contaminating your Contact Lenses: 3 Things to Know