Question

A patient who is a contact lens wearer uses preservative-free propylene glycol eye drops and mineral oil eye ointment. Which of the following is an appropriate counseling point?

A) Use the eye ointment first thing in the morning to provide a full day of relief
B) After using eye drops, wait 10 minutes before reinserting your contact lenses
C) Switch to an eye drop with benzalkonium chloride in it, as it protects contact lenses
D) If you don't touch the eye drop container to the ocular surface, you can use it again

Answer 1

Contact lens wearers are at greater risk for developing keratitis because contact lenses can introduce changes in the normal microbiota of the conjunctiva, increasing the risk of infection. Bacterial keratitis, which is most frequently caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a common infection that can lead to blindness if left untreated. Proper care of contact lenses and avoiding wearing them overnight can greatly reduce the risk of infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Contact lens wearers are at greater risk for developing keratitis because contact lenses can introduce changes in the normal microbiota of the conjunctiva, increasing the risk of infection. Bacterial keratitis, which is most frequently caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a common infection that can lead to blindness if left untreated. Proper care of contact lenses and avoiding wearing them overnight can greatly reduce the risk of infection.