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TUESDAY, Sept. 20, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Contact lenses can be indispensable for those with poor vision, but if they aren't properly cleaned and stored you run the risk of serious eye infections, experts say.

Up to one out of every 500 contact lens wearers get such infections every year, which can sometimes lead to permanent blindness. Even minor infections caused by contamination are painful and disrupt daily life, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Regardless of whether contact lenses are worn to correct vision issues or just for special occasions, all contact lenses are considered medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and need to be accompanied by a valid prescription, the academy noted in a news release.

What kinds of eye problems can contact lenses cause?

How can you prevent these problems?

Here's a video on how to clean your contact lenses properly:

Though more than 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, they are not for everyone. You may not be able to wear them because you:

Overall, your contact lenses should feel comfortable and allow you to see well. If this is not the case, inform your eye doctor and discuss other options, the academy said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more details on contact lens wear and care.

SOURCE: American Academy of Ophthalmology, news release, April 22, 2022

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By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter

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