*Collaborative post.

If you don’t follow your doctor’s recommendations about lens care, you could be damaging your eyes.

Without the right methods and hygiene, you could end up with a blurred vision, redness, itchiness, loss of vision, corneal abrasions or a fatal infection.

Now while these are extreme cases, you need to know what can happen if you don’t care for your lenses properly.

1. Acanthamoeba keratitis

This parasitic infection was first discovered in 1973. Usually found in pools, hot tubs, tap water and contact lens solution, this parasite can infect anyone who comes in contact with it. Their perfect breeding ground is the space between the contact lens and the eyes. Once they latch on, they can burrow down into the cornea and destroy your vision. To avoid this from happening, do not keep your contacts in for longer than necessary. Take them off before you shower, swim or get into a hot tub. And, never ever wash your contacts with plain tap water.

2. Bacterial keratitis

This is a grave bacterial infection of the cornea and can destroy your vision in little less than 24 hours. Because it progresses so rapidly, this is a serious problem with contact lens wearers. The risk increases when you wear your lenses overnight or do not use enough lens solution to disinfect the lenses. Superficial keratitis can happen at the top layers leaving no scar but deep keratitis can leave scars in your cornea.

3. Fungal keratitis

An infection caused by any of the 70 fungi, fungal keratitis grows from the cornea into the sclera causing infections that are extremely difficult to treat. This can lead to vision loss and even loss of the eye. This can happen when the eye is injured and can be accelerated by improper lens care.

Now that you know how serious it can get, let’s get into the right care for your lenses:

1. Wash your hands: Always wash your hands before and after handling lenses
2. Use a lint-free towel: To avoid getting any foreign particles from getting into your eyes, you should always use a lint-free towel.
3. Don’t go to sleep wearing your lenses: Avoid doing this at all costs. Not only can your lenses get stuck behind your eye, but you are also at risk for infections.
4. Colored contacts without prescription: Don’t buy colored contacts without a prescription. They are medical devices just as much as your corrective lenses and the wrong fit can scratch your cornea. If you are looking for good colored contacts, try hidrocor quartzo from the solotica lenses usa collection.
5. Do not use powder based makeup: Anything that can fly into your eye can cause an infection. Avoid powder-based makeup and try to use hypoallergenic makeup that is specially made for contact lens wearers
6. Do not top off your lens solution: If you have a little bit left in your lens solution bottle, do not try and top it off. It already has bacteria build up in it and by topping it off, you are only going to keep using contaminated lens solution.
7. Throw out your lens case: Every 3 months, you should replace your lens case to avoid any build up.