Hidden Dangers of Contact Lenses: Experts Warn of Potential Eye Damage

Actress Jasmine Bhasin had recently informed that during an event, she started having severe pain in her eyes. When the pain became unbearable, she immediately went to the hospital, where she came to know that the cornea of ​​​​her eyes was damaged due to the lens. Of course, in such a situation, people who use lenses continuously, do not understand how lenses can prove to be so dangerous. We talked to many doctors about this.

Today people consider wearing lenses in the eyes very trendy or convenient, but negligence regarding lenses can take away someone's eyesight. Regarding this, Dr. Sameer Sood, Director and Ophthalmologist of Sharp Sight Eye Hospital, Delhi, says, 'Wearing contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen that the cornea receives from the surface of the eye, due to which the cornea can swell.'

'For a long time, the cornea tries to get more oxygen by developing new blood vessels. But when the condition becomes severe, the vessels can grow in the center of the cornea, due to which you may stop seeing. Not fitting contact lenses properly or getting hurt while putting on or removing contact lenses can also cause painful scratches on the cornea. This can also increase your risk of bacterial infection and corneal ulcers.'

The doctor further explains that infectious keratitis is the most serious complication caused by wearing contact lenses. It is an infection of the cornea, also known as infectious corneal ulcer or corneal opacity. It is caused by various bacteria, viruses or fungi in people who wear contact lenses. If this infection is not taken care of, it can lead to loss of vision in the affected eye. Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of infectious keratitis.

Nowadays, the use of lenses is common among people, but lenses cause any problem only when you start using them carelessly. Regarding this, Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, Director and Senior Eye Surgeon at Eye Care Center, New Delhi, says, 'People often show some carelessness while using lenses. You should avoid these carelessness. For example, do not ignore common eye problems. Keep nails short so that the lens does not get damaged. Change the lens regularly and also get your eyes checked. Do not share your lenses with others and do not wear the lens for a long time.'

On the other hand, Dr. Sameer Sood says, 'A large number of people wear contact lenses to improve their vision. Due to improper care of contact lenses or not paying attention to hygiene or wearing contact lenses for a long time, there is a high risk of dry eye syndrome, corneal infill traits (small, grayish-white colored bumps on the surface of the eye) and giant papillary conjunctivitis (inflammation of the upper eyelid due to rubbing on the contact lens) due to less tear production in the eyes.'

What to do

• Get your eyes checked from an eye specialist from time to time.
• Wash and dry your hands before applying the lens to your eyes.
• Clean and store the lens only with the chemical given by the expert.
• Do not wear single-use lenses again after use.
• Check the lens for damage before putting it back on.
• Put the lens on before applying makeup.
• Remove the lens before removing makeup.
• Keep your eyes closed while using hair spray.
• Change the lens case every month.

What not to do

• Do not wet the lens with saliva.
• Do not clean the lens with tap water.
• If the lens falls, do not use it without cleaning it.