Laser eye surgery can reduce the risk of eye infection over time, compared with contacts, according to a report by the UT Health Science Center.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee analyzed the incidence of microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea by bacteria or virus. After analyzing reports in the PubMed database between 2014 and 2015, researchers found that contact wearers (particularly those who have worn contacts for over a decade) can be six times more likely to develop an infection.
Eye Infections Can Result In Blindness
Microbial keratitis can lead to vision loss, and is tied to eye hygiene. This condition takes place when fungi, amoeba or bacteria invades and burrows into your cornea. If your eye is not properly treated when an ulcer forms, permanent blindness may occur.
Contact lens use has been identified as a contributing factor, with lens type and history tied to risk contribution. If you are a contact lens wearer for over a decade, you are much more likely to develop an eye infection.
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, the 38 million contact users in the US account for an estimated 1 million cases related to microbial keratitis in 2010. Some contact lens wearers have lost vision and needed a corneal transplant, even losing their eye in some cases.
An article on laser eye surgery and the reduced risk of microbial keratitis was found in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
LASIK Eye Surgery Will Greatly Reduce Risk
The main benefit of LASIK eye surgery in avoiding infection is the fact that risk for infection is limited to a single time period. Unlike contact wearers, LASIK recipients do not need to employ daily maintenance that continuously places their eyes at risk.
Laser eye surgery has a long track record of providing safe, long-lasting vision correction. An Australian study estimated a 1-in-200 chance of serious infection associated with contact lens use, compared to a 1-in-3,000 chance of infection associated with LASIK eye surgery.
At BoydVision, we believe that laser eye surgery is the best option for long-term vision correction. We offer a large range of technology and processes to ensure that you receive the best vision correction option for the shape, age and dryness of your eyes.