Eye care? It’s likely more like “eye don’t care” when it comes to hygiene among your patients who wear contact lenses.
The CDC has published a study showing that more than 99 percent of contact-lens wearing respondents in a sample survey reported “at least one risky behavior,” such as keeping their cases for longer than recommended (82 percent), topping off solution in the case (55 percent) or wearing their lenses overnight while sleeping (50 percent). See our infographic for all the dirty details.
Each behavior the respondents reported raises the risk of eye infections by five times or more, so it’s no surprise that 30 percent of contact-lens-wearing respondents reported having to visit the doctor for red or painful eye at least once.
Each year, patients rack up one million visits for contact lens complications or keratitis, at an annual cost of $175 million. About 41 million Americans wear contact lenses.
Go here for material to share on your web site or social media channels for Contact Lens Health Week next week.
