Why shouldn't you wear contact lenses while bathing?

Compared to glasses, wearing contact lenses is much more convenient, especially when playing sports that require strong contact. However, there are some activities that should not be performed while wearing glasses because it can be dangerous for the eyes. For example, bathing while wearing contact lenses can increase the risk of some types of eye infections, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Wearing contact lenses while bathing increases the risk of eye infections.

The first type of infection to consider is keratitis. This is an inflammation of the corneal surface. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss and the need for a corneal transplant.

Common causes of keratitis are bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. These bacteria can appear in many different water sources.

When wearing contact lenses, they can sometimes bend and scratch your cornea. If you bathe in water that has bacteria in it, bacteria can enter your cornea through these scratches and cause infection.

In addition, keratitis can also be caused by fungi and viruses. Common fungi that cause keratitis are Aspergillus, Fusarium and Candida, while viruses include herpes simplex, varicella-zoster and adenovirus. In rare cases, wearing contact lenses while bathing can also cause keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba, a single-celled organism commonly found in water, air and soil. This type of keratitis is rare and dangerous.

Common symptoms of keratitis include severe eye pain and irritation, a feeling of grittiness and redness, excessive tearing, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. As soon as you start to notice any symptoms of infection, you should immediately remove your contact lenses and not reinsert them. If you need to see clearly, wear glasses. See your eye doctor immediately and bring your contact lenses with you for examination.

To reduce the risk of eye infections, people wearing Contact lenses should never be worn while showering or swimming. Contact lenses should also be removed when sleeping. When cleaning lenses, always use the appropriate cleaning solution, never use tap water, according to Healthline.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-khong-mang-kinh-ap-trong-khi-tam-185240911181239264.htm