Contact lenses offer convenience and enhance appearance during activities such as sports and travel, compared to glasses. However, the rising number of contact lens wearers, especially among students and young women, underscores the importance of careful use and maintenance due to potential side effects. Since contact lenses directly touch the sensitive tissue of the eye, the cornea, wearers must adhere to proper care and precautions.
Case 1: Mr. Park (in his 40s) experienced dryness and foreign body sensation in his eyes after wearing disposable lenses for 3-4 days, diagnosed with keratitis and received treatment. Case 2: Ms. Lee (in her 30s) fell asleep wearing soft lenses in the evening, woke up with difficulty opening her eyes the next afternoon, and received treatment for discomfort and foreign body sensation. Case 3: Ms. Choi (in her 20s) experienced persistent pain in her right eye after swimming with contact lenses and sought treatment for discomfort.
Many incidents related to contact lenses have been reported to the Korea Consumer Agency. The majority of affected individuals were in their 20s, followed by teenagers and those in their 30s. Females accounted for a significantly higher number of incidents than males.
Common symptoms included pain and redness, accompanied by sensations of foreign bodies, keratitis, and conjunctivitis.
Contributing factors to incidents included insufficient attention to wearing methods and precautions, prolonged wearing time, wearing during sleep, and negligence in lens cleaning.
Types of incidents included lens breakage while removing, failure to remove lenses, and wearing during sleep.
Contact lenses must be worn according to the prescription of an eye care professional. Thorough pre-wearing examinations should assess eye conditions, suitability for post-care and follow-up checks, tear production, avoidance of working in areas with toxic chemicals, and allergic tendencies. Regular post-wearing check-ups with an eye specialist are advisable.
Contact lenses must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily. Adherence to precautions ensures hygienic use, and any eye pain or redness should prompt immediate lens removal and consultation with an eye care professional. Hands should be washed thoroughly before handling lenses, and excessive force on the lens surface should be avoided. Only products from reputable companies should be used for cleaning, storage, and rinsing, while tap water or other substandard products should be avoided. Wearing lenses beyond the recommended duration is discouraged. Rest should be taken if eyes feel tired due to overuse, sleep deprivation, or prolonged reading.
Furthermore, wearing contact lenses previously used by others can lead to infection by various pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, so caution is necessary. Contact with cosmetics should be avoided, and cosmetics should be applied after wearing lenses. Short nails are recommended to minimize irritation while wearing contact lenses.