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                Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses

                        Types of Contact Lenses
          Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween and More
          Contact Lens Prescription
          Buying Contact Lenses
          Contact Lens Solutions and Products
          Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
          Contact Lens Risks
          Everyday Eye Care
          List of Contact Lenses
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          Contact Lenses
          Contact Lens RisksContact Lenses Contact Lens Risks
  
  	
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    PrintWearing contact lenses puts you at risk of several serious conditions including eye infections and corneal ulcers. These conditions can develop very quickly and can be very serious. In rare cases, these conditions can cause blindness.

You can not determine the seriousness of a problem that develops when you are wearing contact lenses. You have to get help from an eye care professional to determine your problem.

If you experience any symptoms of eye irritation or infection,

remove your lenses immediately and do not put them back in your eyes.
	contact your eye care professional right way.
	don't throw away your lenses. Store them in your case and take them to your eye care professional. He or she may want to use them to determine the cause of your symptoms.
	report serious eye problems associated with your lenses to the FDA’s MedWatch reporting program.**Symptoms of Eye Irritation or Infection**

discomfort
	excess tearing or other discharge
	unusual sensitivity to light
	itching, burning, or gritty feelings
	unusual redness
	blurred vision
	swelling
	pain**Serious Hazards of Contact Lenses**

Symptoms of eye irritation can indicate a more serious condition. Some of the possible serious hazards of wearing contact lenses are corneal ulcers, eye infections, and even blindness.

Corneal ulcers are open sores in the outer layer of the cornea. They are usually caused by infections. To reduce your chances of infection, you should:

**Rub and rinse** your contact lenses as directed by your eye care professional.
	Clean and disinfect your lenses properly according to the labeling instructions.
	**Do not “top-off” the solutions in your case.** Always discard all of the left over contact lens solution after each use. **Never** reuse any lens solution.
	**Do not expose your contact lenses to any water: tap, bottled, distilled, lake or ocean water.** Never use non-sterile water (distilled water, tap water or any homemade saline solution). Tap and distilled water have been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a corneal infection that is resistant to treatment and cure.
	Remove your contact lenses before swimming. There is a risk of eye infection from bacteria in swimming pool water, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean
	Replace your contact lens storage case every 3 months or as directed by your eye care professional.**Other Risks of Contact Lenses**

Other risks of contact lenses include

pink eye (conjunctivitis)
	corneal abrasions
	eye irritationFor more information about the risks associated with contact lenses, go to:

Advice for Patients With Soft Contact Lenses: Acanthamoeba Keratitis Infections Related to Complete® MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Contact Lens Solution
	Advice for Patients with Soft Contact Lenses: New Information on Risk of Serious Fungal Infection
	Corneal Ulcers and Infections
	Eye Conditions: Acanthamoeba Keratitis

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      09/04/2018Contact Lenses

          
                        Types of Contact Lenses
          Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween and More
          Contact Lens Prescription
          Buying Contact Lenses
          Contact Lens Solutions and Products
          Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
          Contact Lens Risks
          Everyday Eye Care
          List of Contact Lenses
          Contact Lenses: Links
          Contact Lenses: Report a Problem
 
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