In the run-up to their annual congress in Berlin, German ophthalmologists warned of increased infections caused by various pathogens, including those that are apparently becoming more common due to global warming.
The German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) stated that pleasant wearing comfort should not hide the fact that the visual aids remain a foreign body in the eye, which increases the risk of sometimes serious infections of the cornea. Infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, exist on every healthy surface of the eye and contact lens users should always be aware of this. “However, an intact tear film and a dense superficial cell structure in the cornea keep the germs from penetrating the eye,” explained DOG expert Gerd Geerling. Anyone who has visual defects – whether nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism – or even scars with the help of contact lenses Corrected, place the adhesive cups on exactly this protective layer of tear film and cornea.
“Risk-prone foreign body in the eye”
“contact lenses “Always represent a risky foreign body in the eye,” emphasized the director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Düsseldorf. Adhesive shells change the oxygen supply and moistening of the surface of the eye with tear film and could initially cause microscopic damage to the cornea. “As a rule, these heal “Injuries are not a problem again,” says Geerling. “But they can also cause pain and be the entry point for infectious pathogens.”
There is also an increasing risk of eye infections caused by previously rather “exotic” pathogens. Especially softer for wearers contact lenses In addition to “regular” bacteria, there would also be rare infectious agents such as amoebas and fungi. “These pathogens are becoming increasingly common today – possibly due to climatic changes in our latitudes – and can sometimes cause very serious infectious diseases of the cornea and the inside of the eye, which require months of treatment with eye drops and tablets,” explained Geerling. In particularly severe cases, a corneal transplant or, in the worst case, even the removal of an eye may be necessary.
To avoid such infections, contact lens wearers should strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s care instructions and always follow the simple rules of conduct. “Always wash your hands before coming into contact with the adhesive trays,” advises Geerling. To the contact lenses Dirt and germs accumulate over time. “That’s why daily disinfection with the prescribed cleaning and storage liquid is extremely important,” emphasized the ophthalmologist. Geerling also advises manual cleaning: “Do this contact lenses Place on the cleaned palm of your hand and gently rub a few drops of cleaning agent onto the lens with your fingertip, then rinse the lenses with saline solution.” If a contact lens is damaged or dirty, it must be thrown away immediately.
Increased risk also with daily lenses
Bacteria can also multiply in the contact lens storage container. “You can form a biofilm there, a kind of mucus produced by the pathogen itself, a real bacterial trap,” said Geerling. Never clean with tap water. “Tap water is not sterile; it contains microorganisms, metal particles, chlorine and other substances,” explained the expert. “Anyone who uses it to clean or store adhesive trays runs the risk of germs sticking to the lens.” It is best to rinse the container with the disinfectant solution and allow it to air dry. In any case, the vessel should be replaced with a new one after three months.
The risk of infection is also increased with daily lenses that are thrown away and reused every day. “This is particularly true if they are worn longer than recommended, for example continuously through the night,” says Geerling. From swimming with contact lenses The expert advises against using natural waters entirely: “This reduces the risk of infection with Acanthamoeba, which can cause serious corneal inflammation.” If you have any problems, you should see an ophthalmologist as quickly as possible.
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