Politics
Politics

CDC: Adolescent habits with contact lenses risk eye infection

Contact lenses require proper care to avoid infection. Many adolescents exhibit a habit that puts them at risk, a new study found. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Contact lenses require proper care to avoid infection. Many adolescents exhibit a habit that puts them at risk, a new study found. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
By
Aug 18, 2017

About six out of seven adolescents who wear contact lenses also engage in a habit that could lead to eye infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 45 million Americans wear the lenses. And according to the CDC, infections occur most often in people who don’t take proper care of them. The infections are rare but when they occur they can have serious consequences, including blindness.

The improper risk behaviors included:

  • Sleeping in contact lenses
  • Swimming in them
  • Failing to replace lenses or their storage cases as recommended

The CDC for the first time measured the behaviors among adolescents, which it termed children from 12 to 17 years old. The numbers improved slightly for young adults, the next age group. But health officials hope that emphasizing good habits while lens wearers are still kids will help the habits stick.

About the Author

Ariel Hart is a reporter on health care issues. She works on the AJC’s health team and has reported on subjects including the Voting Rights Act and transportation.

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