Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 30 Aug 2024
Why Should You Not Shower With Contact Lenses On? Know The Dangers
You can develop various eye infections through bacteria, fungi and viruses if you take shower wearing your contacts
Wearing contact lenses makes it super convenient for you – especially if you don’t like wearing glasses or find it a hazard. However, there are a few activities you must not do while wearing them, as it can put your eyes in danger.
Last month, an Instagram influencer revealed she went blind in one eye after she caught an infection caused by showering in contact lenses. Rachel Prochnow said she had to undergo a cornea transplant to restore her vision.
Why should you not wear contact lenses while showering?
Experts say you can develop Acanthamoeba keratitis – a rare but extremely dangerous and serious eye infection caused by an amoeba commonly found in water and soil. Also, many people are at a higher risk of developing keratitis - a condition that inflames your cornea leading to permanent loss of vision. According to experts, microbial keratitis is a specific type of keratitis where germs enter the cornea and cause an eye infection.
Doctors say that infection-causing germs are found in various water sources – specifically, tap water in which you bathe. When the lenses come in contact with water, they begin to warp or stick to your eye – potentially leading to scratches in your cornea. Not only can they cause injuries but also allow germs to easily cause infection.
What kind of germs cause infection?
Doctors say a variety of parasitic pathogens can cause these infections, including:
Bacteria
Bacterial keratitis is caused by several types like Pseudomonas, staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species
Viruses
Viruses that cause keratitis include herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and adenovirus.
Fungi
Fungal keratitis is uually caused by infection by Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Candida species.
Signs and symptoms of parasitic infection in your eyes
A few symptoms of keratitis include:
- Eye pain that keeps on getting worse
- Irritation in the eyes
- The feeling of something stuck in your eyes
- Redness in the eyes
- Excessive discharge from the eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
What to do if you have the symptoms of eye issues?
According to experts, as soon as you begin to feel any of the symptoms of infection, immediately:
- Remove your contacts carefully and do not wear them again. If required, wear your glasses
- Call your doctor and fix an immediate appointment to get yourself checked
- Take your contact lenses to let the doctor examining them understand what exactly has caused the condition
How to keep your eyes healthy?
Even though contact lenses are considered safe and effective to correct your vision, to avoid any kind of infection, you must take the following steps:
- Never swim or bathe while wearing contacts
- Never sleep with contact lenses
- Never use tap water to clean the contact lenses
- Always use the cleaning solution provided along with the lenses
- Never wear old or poorly fit lenses
- Do not wear the lenses for too long
- Always wash your hands before you wear the lenses or take them off
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