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8% of contact lens users have abrasions on eyes – Almost one in 13 soft contact lens wearers in a recent study had abrasions on their corneas severe enough to lead to infections or other problems. More than half of the 500 people taking part in the study had signs of mild abrasions – called corneal staining – on at least one eye. Corneal staining happens to nearly everyone from time to time, whether or not they wear contact lenses, said Kelly Nichols, a study co-author and a clinical assistant professor of optometry at Ohio State University. However, people who wear contact lenses may be particularly susceptible to developing such abrasions if they don't clean and replace their lenses regularly. Nichols and her colleagues wanted to look at the prevalence and potential causes of such abrasions in people who wear soft contact lenses. “Contact lenses are still a very safe and effective form of vision correction,” Nichols said. “The chance of developing serious visual complications related to wearing contact lenses is very low.” Nichols says the abrasions usually heal in less than 24 hours.
Contact: Kelly Nichols, (614) 688-5381;