Contact Lenses Increase The Risk of Corneal Ulcer
I know when I was a teenager, I simply did not understand the dangers and risks associated with contact lenses. I would leave my contact lenses in for days at a time. Everyone, especially parents of young children wearing contact lenses, should understand the dangers and proper contact lens usage.
1,093,210 patients treated between 1998 and 1999 at the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Health Care Program were involved in a study about ulcers of the cornea. Information such as presence of corneal ulcers, contact lens use, eye trauma or disease, and HIV status was collected and studied.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea, the clear structure overlying the colored part of the eye (iris.) There are many causes for corneal ulcers from trauma to side effects of disease, such as Bell’s palsy. However, this study particularly looked at contact lenses as a causative agent.
Contact lenses have steadily gained in popularity over the years. It is interesting that as contact lenses have gained popularity, corneal ulcer diagnosis’s have simultaneously risen. There are about 38 million people in the U.S. that currently wear contact lenses. New data suggests that there are about 71,000 new cases of corneal ulcers yearly (23 cases per 100,000 people.) Whereas, previous studies have found around 11 cases per 100,000 people, and in the 1950’s the data showed about 2.5 cases of corneal ulcer diagnosis per 100,000 people.
The study found that 302 patients developed corneal ulcers during the one year timeframe. Contact lens wearers made up 12% of all the patients in the study, yet the contact wears accounted for more than half of those diagnosed with a corneal ulcer. Researchers ultimately concluded that contact lens wearers were around 9 times more likely to develop a corneal ulcer than non-wearers.
Contact lens wearers are at an increased risk of corneal ulcers, especially from extended-wear soft contact lenses, because scratches on the edge of the contact lens can scrape the cornea and make it more vulnerable to infection. The contact can also assist to scratch the cornea when tiny foreign particles become trapped underneath the contact lens. Bacteria itself may be already on an improperly inserted lens or develop and multiply when lenses are left in the eyes for long periods of time. Wearing lenses for long periods of time also blocks oxygen from getting to the cornea; thus, making it more susceptible to infection.
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carissimi | Aug 10, 2010 | Reply
this was very informative… nicely done!
Karen Gross | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Excellent information. I got extended wear lenses when they were popular in the 80s and followed the instructions to keep them in for 6 days and leave them out for one. I got a corneal ulcer, and now I can’t wear contacts at all.
Thanks for getting the word out.
PARAM | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Great useful information………………..
Thanks for share.
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thestickman | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
informative
Phill Senters | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Great info for those who wear contacts.
THEBIGBOPPER | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Good post. I’ll still wear contact lenses though.
WEL | Sep 24, 2010 | Reply
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Kevin Sorrell | Sep 30, 2010 | Reply
I wear blue contact lenses, i also have some red contact lenses, my eyes are natural brown in color, i really love my contact lenses, i hope to get some softer core type ones in the future, as many people say they are very good and comfortable
Pete | Oct 25, 2010 | Reply
This is even worst. A few minutes ago, I was convinced of shifting my kid\’s eye glasses to contact lenses later I am confused and scared upon reading a sad new about wearing contacts lenses now I have decided to drop the idea. I cannot take all the risk now especially for my kid. We are talking about the eye in here which is closely and directly attached to the brain.
menu | Dec 14, 2010 | Reply
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linxiong | Dec 26, 2010 | Reply
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Williams Eye Care | Dec 21, 2011 | Reply
Contacts are safe as long as you follow directions – everything is dangerous if you don’t listen to rules
Optometrist St. Louis | Dec 24, 2011 | Reply
I agree. Contact lenses have to be treated like drugs – they are prescribed by a DR and safe if you follow directions
Joan | Jan 3, 2012 | Reply
WHEW! what an article – makes me feel totally crazy for wearing contacts – Do you think all the doctors who prescribe them are totally irresponsible, knowing the dangers?
Optometrist Lutz | Jan 4, 2012 | Reply
Many things in life have risks and hazards. With proper care and heeding doctor’s directions contact lenses are perfectly safe. I guess this article is good to let people know how important it is to follow all directions of the doctor
Lisa
Optometrist Mill Creek | Jan 4, 2012 | Reply
The only reason people are getting corneal ulcers is because they “abuse” their lenses and eyes
Robin
eyecare | Jan 5, 2012 | Reply
One more reason for people to be afraid to get contact lenses…
Donna