Bad Contact Lens Hygiene Is Widespread, CDC Warns

A warning to contact lens wearers: bad hygiene could lead to complicated eye infections.

Nearly a third of adults who wear contact lenses admitted they’ve gone to a doctor because of red or painful eyes, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Half or more slept while wearing lenses and a third said they rinsed their lenses in tap water.

The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water and drying them before touching contact lenses and taking them out before sleeping, showering or swimming.

Nearly 41 million American adults wear contact lenses. The CDC surveyed 1,000 people for its findings.

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