Once contracted, this condition will require treatment with prescription antifungal medications for several months. In cases where the infection has progressed or where the infection does not respond to oral treatment, patients may be forced to undergo surgery, including corneal transplants, to treat it.

Corneal Ulcer

The above infections can all lead to full or partial blindness, but a corneal ulcer is a condition that, left untreated, can cause physical loss of an eye in serious cases. Corneal ulcers are open sores that occur on the cornea, which can become infections of the eye. This incredibly serious condition can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, parasites, viruses, or can be the result of toxins, chemical burns, or scratches on the surface of the eye.

Treatment for a corneal ulcer varies widely depending on the cause and severity of the ulcer. For mild cases, eye drops or ointment may be sufficient, whereas bacterial or viral infections may require antibiotics or antivirals. In more serious cases, where there is scarring or serious infection, a corneal transplant may be required, and in rare cases, a patient may lose the injured or infected eye.

Practice Safe Handling

To avoid exposing yourself to the dangerous conditions above, follow best practices for contact lens care and use. Among the steps contact lens wearers should take to minimize their risks for contracting an eye infection:

-       Don’t wear contact lenses overnight. Closing your eye over a contact lens reduces the amount of oxygen that’s getting to your eye, putting you at a greater risk for developing an infection. You’re also pressing the lens onto the surface of the cornea, which pushes germs, viruses, fungii, and debris against the eye.