The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that almost all of the 41 million estimated contact lens wearers in the United States engage in at least one behavior that significantly increases their risk of contracting an eye infection.
A recent survey of contact lens habits among patients in the U.S. revealed a staggering rate of poor contact hygiene and care. About one-third of the patients involved in the survey reported visiting a doctor because of red or painful eyes.
Close to 100 percent of the survey participants admitted to being guilty of at least one risky behavior. A whopping 82.3 percent of the participants said they sometimes kept their contact lenses in for longer than recommended; 55.1 percent said they "topped off" old solution with solution from newer bottles; and 50.2 percent said they wore their contact lenses while sleeping. Each of these behaviors was linked to a five times or higher increase in eye infection risk.
To make these findings, researchers administered an online survey to contact lens wearers that inquired about their eye care habits. The CDC collaborated with the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) group to put together the data, and a second survey was used to estimate the number of contact lens wearers in the U.S. The findings suggest millions of Americans are at risk for serious eye infections due to poor contact lens hygiene behaviors.
"Good vision contributes to overall well-being and independence for people of all ages, so it's important not to cut corners on healthy contact lens wear and care," said CDC Medical Epidemiologist Jennifer Cope. "We are finding that many wearers are unclear about how to properly wear and care for contact lenses."
