Antibiotics in the clinical pipeline in October 2019 - The Journal of Antibiotics
These Halloween Contacts Can Cause Eye Infections
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Contacts with cat pupils or neon colors can be fun, but are you sure you want to put a piece of plastic from a costume store into your eye? Experts, like those at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, warn against it.
Cheap Halloween contacts tend to be one-size-fits-all, but the AAO points out that contacts are never one-size-fits-all. A contact that is too large or too small for your eye can cause corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and can result in infections like keratitis. Infections can, in severe cases, lead to blindness. A 2017 report from the FDA found bacterial contamination in 27% of costume contacts.
If you do wear contacts (Halloween or otherwise), the AAO recommends keeping an eye out for symptoms like redness, swelling, pain, or excessive discharge. Seek care as soon as you suspect an infection. Your eyes are more sensitive to infections than other parts of the body, so be cautious.
Legally, contacts require a prescription, so if those colored contacts you're eyeing can be bought without showing a doctor's prescription, they're not legit. The real thing can be expensive, though: I found prices ranging from $40 to $110 per pair from lens.Com, Discount Contacts, and Wicked Eyez.
These websites all let you order online, but you'll have to provide your prescription information before you can check out. Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission has ruled that providers must give you your contact prescription after a fitting so that you can take the prescription elsewhere. And they cannot charge you extra for this.
Once you've got the lenses, you have to know how to take care of them. If you wear contacts every day, you already know the drill. But if you're just picking up a pair to use with a costume, here are the basics:
Wash your hands before handling the lenses.
Store them in contact lens solution, and keep the lenses and their case clean.
Don't sleep or swim with them in.
And for Pete's sake, don't share them with your friends!
After all, the bloodshot look stops being cool after you take your zombie costume off.
Using Antibiotic Eye Drops? Here's How To Get It Right, Ensure Your Eyes Heal Safely
November 11, 2024 / 12:56 IST
If you notice your eyes feeling unusually irritated; red and watery, with some swelling around the eye, discharge, or persistent itchines, these may be signs of an infection. Such symptoms signal the need for prompt treatment, often with antibiotic eye drops, to relieve the infection and prevent it from worsening.
Using antibiotic eye drops correctly is vital for the best results and to avoid complications, advises Dr Amod Nayak, Head of Clinical Services at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospitals, Bengaluru. He shares effective tips for using antibiotic eye drops safely to help protect your eye health and support a smooth recovery.
Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.
What Causes A Stye? How To Treat And Prevent Them
A stye is a lump on your eyelid caused by a bacterial infection. Improperly sanitized contact lens, eye makeup, and conditions like diabetes and rosacea can increase your risk of a stye.
Styes can be uncomfortable but usually go away on their own. Practicing good hygiene can help prevent styes.
A stye is a reddish, pus-filled lump that forms on the outer edge of your eyelid. They occur when a clogged gland or follicle becomes infected.
Styes are typically tender to the touch and can be very painful. They are sometimes spelled "sty" and may also be referred to as hordeolums.
Type of styes
Styes can form on the outside (external) or inside (internal) of your eyelid.
External styes are more common than internal styes. Most external styes start in an eyelash follicle, but may also form in an oil producing gland.
Internal styes usually begin in a gland within your eyelid tissue. They push on the surface of your eye as they grow and tend to be more painful than external styes.
Symptoms of a stye can include:
Most styes are caused by an infection from Staphylococcus bacteria. These bacteria live on your skin and are normally harmless.
Sometimes the bacteria can become trapped in a gland or hair follicle, leading to an infection.
Touching or rubbing your eye is the most common way bacteria can be transferred.
Factors that increase your risk of developing a stye include:
Most styes don't require treatment and go away on their own in about a week.
However, you can ease stye symptoms at home by washing your affected eyelid with a gentle soap like baby shampoo.
You can try applying a warm compress. To do this, soak a clean washcloth in warm water and hold it to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this 3 to 5 times a day.
A doctor can usually diagnose a stye by looking at it.
Because styes are typically caused by staphylococcus bacteria, there's usually no need for testing to determine the cause of the infection.
You can lower your risk of a stye by washing your hands frequently and keeping contact lenses clean and disinfected.
Also, practicing the following eye makeup hygiene tips can help prevent a stye:
If a stye affects your vision or doesn't go away on its own, you may need to see an ophthalmologist to have it drained.
A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if the infection from a stye spreads to other parts of your eye. However, this is rare in people without other risk factors, like a weakened immune system.
Why do I suddenly have styes?
Sudden or recurring styes can be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria from clogged oil glands. This is known as blepharitis. Blepharitis can develop when you don't keep your eyelids clean and free of crusts.
Rosacea flare-ups that affect the eyes can also cause styes. Triggers like stress, intense physical activity, and exposure to extreme weather can cause rosacea flare-ups.
Are eye styes caused by stress?
Styes are caused by a bacterial infection and not directly related to stress. However, stress may increase your risk of infection.
Does a stye mean poor hygiene?
Styes are commonly caused by blocked glands due to a buildup of oil, sweat, or other material. Because of this, not regularly washing your face and hands can increase your risk of a stye.
Styes develop when a clogged gland or hair follicle on the edge of your eyelid becomes infected.
Styes can be painful but usually go away on their own. Washing eyes with a gentle shampoo and applying a warm compress can help them drain and heal more quickly.
If a stye doesn't go away or if the infection spreads, contact your doctor.
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