A recent survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that poor habits and hygiene that can cause eye infection are practiced by over 99 % of contact lens users.

The survey, which included 1,000 contact lens wearers in the United States, was conducted online. Results of the survey showed that approximately 99% users reported that at least one related hygiene behavior previously linked to a higher risk of eye infection or inflammation.

Experts recommend if one wears contact lens to sleep add fresh solution to old solution and do not regularly change contact lens cases, these are all signs of poor contact lens care habits.

Out of 41 million contact lenses wearers in the US, only about 100,000 take proper lens care steps that are important for good eye care. The researchers published their findings of the survey online on August 21.

CDC medical epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer Cope, said, “Good vision contributes to overall well-being and independence for people of all ages, so it's important not to cut corners on healthy contact lens wear and care”.

She noted that a large number of contact lens wearers were found to be unclear about the proper ways to wear and care for their contact lenses. She said contact lens cases, for example, should be replaced at least once every three months. However, four-fifths of contact lens wearers reported keeping and using cases longer.

The survey revealed that, instead of replacing the solution, more than half of contact lens users just add new solution to old.

The survey also revealed that out of all total contact lens users engaged in poor habits and poor lens care hygiene, only about one-third reported of having sought medical assistance for problems like painful or red eyes.