If looking at Monday’s solar eclipse without protection didn't permanently damage your eyes, not taking proper care of your contact lenses could.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows many Americans aren't keeping their contacts clean.
Jodie Smith swears by her contacts and would be lying if she said she has never had a problem.
“Itching and burning in your eye which is never a good thing,” said Smith. “It’s kind of a moment of panic where you're like oh my gosh I don't know if I did something horrible to my eye.”
Fortunately for Smith it's just allergies, but for others it's neglect.
“I have a lot of patients who will tell me they'll wear their contacts until they start feeling bad, which can be very dangerous,” said Dr. Jamie Norton from Norton Eye Care.
Norton says people will push limits and stretch the dollars of their contacts for a number of reasons.
“I think people take it for granted since contact lenses now are much better quality than they used to be and they feel a lot better,” said Norton.
Doing exactly that has its repercussions.
“You can definitely go blind because there is a lot irreversible damage that can occur,” said Norton. “Some is blood vessel growth by the cornea which does not go away, also cornea ulcers can cause permeant vision loss.”
To avoid that, something simple, like proper cleaning, can make a world of difference.
“Never wear the contacts past the time you’re supposed to,” said Norton. “Do not sleep in contacts unless they’re approved for that and then follow the cleaning regiment that is prescribed for your doctor.”
Technology is available at Norton Eye Care that can scan the back of your eye ball.
It’s called Optomap which can find early signs of diabetes, hypertension and even cholesterol issues.
Norton warns against website services where you can send in your glasses and get a set of contacts instead. Norton says it’s important to always see a doctor for that type of thing.
