Final answer:
Contact lens wearers with conjunctivitis should stop wearing their lenses and consult an optometrist. Viral conjunctivitis generally resolves on its own, while bacterial conjunctivitis might require antibiotic treatment after proper identification of the bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye is known as conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as pinkeye. When experiencing conjunctivitis, contact lens wearers are advised to take specific precautions due to the increased risk of complicating the infection and affecting the eye's normal microbiota.
The recommended action for contact lens wearers who develop conjunctivitis is to immediately stop wearing contact lenses and seek medical attention by referring to an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
Bacterial and viral causes of conjunctivitis require different management approaches, but generally, for viral conjunctivitis, which tends to produce a watery discharge and may be associated with upper respiratory infections, antibiotics are not effective. Instead, these types of infections usually resolve on their own within a couple of weeks. Proper hygiene and avoiding contact with others are important to prevent spreading the infection.
If the conjunctivitis is of bacterial origin and presents with purulent discharge, identification of the bacterial strain through testing may be necessary to tailor antibiotic therapy. However, contact lens use should still be discontinued during the infection period to prevent further irritation and risk of complications such as keratitis.