A lot of eyebrows were raised in 2006 when a study conducted by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University's Casey Eye Institute (Portland, OR) suggested it may be safer in the long run to have LASIK surgery than to wear contact lenses. (See our story, LASIK may be safer than contact lenses.)

Now a new survey may explain why the conclusions of that study may indeed be correct.


Poor contact lens care habits

Synovate, Inc., a global market research company, recently asked 508 contact lens wearers a number of questions about how they care for their contact lenses, and the results were startling. All respondents were over age 18 and wore their lenses on a daily wear basis (removing them prior to sleep every day).

The survey of contact lens wearers revealed:

• 40% don't wash their hands prior to handling their lenses.
• 20% don't use fresh solution when cleaning their lenses.
• 40% have put their lenses in their mouth to clean them.
• 70% wear their contact lenses when swimming.

All of these behaviors cause more bacteria and other harmful microorganisms to be transferred to the eyes, increasing the risk for serious eye infections.

Couple these statistics with the fact that an estimated 38 million Americans wear contact lenses, and you have a huge number of people who are putting themselves at risk for sight-threatening eye infections.

In fact, according to the Casey Eye Institute study, over a 30-year period, the risk of a contact lens wearer experiencing significant vision loss due to a contact lens-related eye infection is 5 times greater than the risk a LASIK patient has of experiencing a similar vision loss due to a surgical complication.


Proper contact lens care reduces risks

Experts agree that most contact lens-related eye infections could be prevented if wearers would care for their lenses properly and replace them on a timely basis.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) has established a set of eight recommendations for safe and healthy contact lens wear:

1. Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.


2. Carefully clean and disinfect your contact lenses upon removing them, following the directions provided by your eye doctor.


3. When not wearing them, store your lenses in a clean contact lens case. Rinse the case with your contact lens solution after each use, and leave it open to air dry. Replace the case at least every 3 months.


4. Use only the contact lens care products recommended by your eye doctor.


5. Use fresh solution each time you clean and store your lenses. Never reuse old solution left in the case.


6. Replace your contact lenses as recommended by your eye doctor. Don't stretch your wearing period, even if your lenses still feel good.


7. Don't wear your contact lenses when swimming or in a hot tub.
   (Water in swimming pools and hot tubs often contains chlorine-resistant microorganisms that can adhere to your contact lenses and cause a serious eye infection.)


8. See your eye doctor as directed for contact lens follow-up visits and routine eye exams.

Choose the healthy option

If you decide to continue to wear contact lenses (or you are not a good candidate for LASIK), be sure to follow the AOA's guidelines to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable and seeing great for years to come.

But if you simply can't bring yourself to follow these guidelines, consider having a LASIK eye exam and consultation to see if you're a good candidate for laser vision correction. Though all surgery involves some risk, LASIK may be safer than contact lenses for you in the long run.


SOURCE: Patient bad habits might not be so hard to break. Contact Lens Spectrum, December 2007.