Bangkok: In the digital age where information is rapidly disseminated, a concerning claim has emerged regarding the safety of wearing contact lenses while showering. The assertion suggests that such practices increase the risk of parasitic infections, keratitis, and potentially even blindness, causing alarm among contact lens users who are uncertain about the validity of these claims.
According to Thai News Agency, the "Verify Before Sharing" center of MCOT consulted Associate Professor Dr. Sakchai Wongkittirak, Chairman of Academic Affairs at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand, to investigate these claims. Dr. Sakchai confirmed that wearing contact lenses while showering does indeed pose a risk to eye health. The primary threat arises from a parasite known as Acanthamoeba, which is prevalent in nature, including in soil and water. Even tap water, which appears clear, cannot be guaranteed free of this parasite.
The risk is particularly severe for contact lens wearers because the lenses can trap the parasite against the cornea, providing it an opportunity to embed and multiply. This can lead to serious corneal infections and inflammation. Contact lenses can also cause tiny abrasions on the cornea, further facilitating the parasite's invasion.
Symptoms of an Acanthamoeba infection include severe eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and corneal opacity. Infected individuals may experience excruciating pain and difficulty in opening their eyes.
Contact lens wearers who experience these symptoms after their lenses come into contact with water should seek immediate medical attention and inform their doctor about their contact lens usage. Without this information, doctors may misdiagnose the condition, potentially prescribing treatments that exacerbate the infection.
Preventative measures include removing contact lenses before showering, swimming, or washing the face, maintaining strict hygiene of hands and lens accessories, and using only contact lens solution for cleaning. Immediate cessation of lens use and consultation with an ophthalmologist are advised if any symptoms arise.
The confirmation of these risks underscores the importance of proper eye care and caution in contact lens use to prevent serious, potentially irreversible damage to one's vision.