No desire for glasses!

That's what around three million men and women in Germany think and prefer to wear contact lenses. And because these small visual aids sit directly in the eye, one thing is very important: absolute hygiene and thorough contact lens care. Otherwise you run the risk of a serious infection.

With soft contact lenses in particular, there is a risk of them being colonized by mould. The possible explanation: soft lenses fit more tightly and are more impermeable to air than hard lenses. If the fungi get into the eye, there is a risk of a serious corneal infection! The infection is difficult to treat The common thing about this condition: It is difficult to treat because the fungi are often resistant to common medications. In a recent study, experts found that soft lenses are the most important risk factor. The worst part: In nine patients, the disease was so severe that a corneal transplant was necessary! What symptoms indicate the infection? Severe redness, sometimes accompanied by severe pain and a deterioration in vision. See an ophthalmologist immediately!

How can contact lens wearers protect themselves effectively?

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before inserting or removing lenses.
• Use care products for the respective lens type.
• Never use the liquids more than once.
• Rinse the lenses with a sterile saline solution that is free from preservatives. Never use tap water as it is not sterile.
• Do not wear the lenses for longer than recommended. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer, optician or ophthalmologist.
• Replace the lens container regularly.
• Insert the lenses first, then apply make-up. Remove the lenses before removing make-up.
• Do not use a defective lens. What else do experts advise? If you have soft lenses, you should have them checked every six months - by an optician or ophthalmologist. For hard lenses, every twelve months is usually sufficient.