Contact lenses are usually considered safe, although they are associated with a minor risk of microbial keratitis commonly caused by bacteria. In recent years, there have been increasing cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a condition that results in inflammation of the cornea in the UK and Europe. This rare but preventable infection has called for a public response. Most severely affected patients can have less than 25% of vision or may become blind.
A study led by a team of UK researchers on over 200 patients reported that people using reusable soft contact lenses were 3.8 times at higher risk of developing AK. Moreover, showering with lenses increased the odds of AK by 3.3 times , while using lenses overnight increased the odds by 3.9 times . 90% of AK risks are avoidable , and while the infection is rare, it can be prevented by maintaining basic hygiene measures like washing…
