Protecting Your Eyes from Germs

Did you know around 1,000 species of bacteria—plus viruses and other germs—call your skin home? This microscopic ecosystem, known as skin flora, is largely beneficial. However, some germs can cause infections or diseases, especially if they get into your eyes.

No one wants an eye infection. Many infections share similar symptoms, whether caused by bacteria or viruses, including eye discharge and crusting of the eyelid, redness, swelling, excessive tear production, itching, burning, and feeling like something is in your eye. If you’re worried about infections, learn how germs get in your eyes and what steps you can take to prevent this.

Germs look for the easiest way into your body, often entering through your eyes and other mucus membranes. Fortunately, taking a few simple steps to protect your eyes may reduce your chance of developing an illness or infection.

Don’t Touch Your Face

Like most people, you probably touch your face many times throughout the day without thinking about what you’re doing. In fact, medical students who participated in a study at the University of New South Wales touched their faces an average of 23 times per hour. Forty-four percent of those touches involved the nose, mouth, or eyes.

If bacteria or viruses are on your hands, you’ll transfer them to your eyes by touching or rubbing. Although your hands may look clean, they actually harbor more germs than you may realize. A typical hand has about 150 different species of bacteria on it, according to a University of Colorado at Boulder study.

Rubbing Your Eyes

You probably rub your eyes multiple times a day without even thinking about it, especially if you’re tired or have eye allergies. Unfortunately, touching your eyes is an easy way for germs to get in. After all, your hands are a breeding ground and transportation method for microorganisms.

Picture a sick person wiping their nose and then touching a doorknob. A few minutes later, you touch that same doorknob. Then, you rub your eyes. It’s not hard to see why this is a primary way germs get in your eyes.

Rubbing your eyes can also increase your risk of developing keratoconus, an eye condition that occurs when the normally round cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped. The cornea is the clear tissue covering your iris and pupil. If you develop keratoconus, your vision may become blurred and distorted.

Wash Your Hands

No matter how careful you are about keeping your hands away from your face, you’re bound to forget from time to time. You’ll be less likely to spread germs to your eyes if you make hand-washing a frequent habit.

Fortunately, soap and warm water will remove the germs that could make you sick. Scrub your hands and nails for at least 20 seconds to get rid of bacteria and viruses. If running water isn’t available, hand sanitizer is a good option.

In addition to washing your hands after using the bathroom, wash them:

• Before and After Preparing Raw Meat, Poultry, or Fish
• After Working with Soil
• After Changing a Diaper, Helping Someone Else with Bathroom Needs, or Removing Animal Waste
• After Taking Out the Trash
• After You Blow Your Nose or Sneeze
• After Washing and Bandaging a Wound
• Before Touching Your Eyes or Using Eye Drops
• After Taking Care of Someone Who Is Ill

Clean Your Glasses

The outside of your glasses may be coated in germs, particularly if someone sneezes or coughs near you. Handling your glasses, then absentmindedly touching your eyes, will send those germs into your eyes.

Clean your glasses in the morning and evening, or after you’ve been around someone who has been sneezing or coughing. You don’t need expensive eyeglass cleaners to remove bacteria and viruses. Soap and warm water will get rid of the germs.

Avoid Sick People

Keeping your distance from people who sneeze, cough, or mention that they don’t feel well will help keep germs away from your face. If possible, stay at least six feet away from people who are ill.

Follow Contact Lens Hygiene Recommendations

Germs and viruses may also find their way into your eyes if you wear contact lenses and don’t practice good hygiene. In addition to increasing your risk of illness, poor contact lens hygiene can cause potentially serious eye infections that could temporarily or permanently affect your vision.

If you wear contact lenses, be sure to:

• Wash your hands before putting in, removing, or handling your lenses.
• Clean your contact lens case every day, and refill the wells with fresh solution. (Don’t just top off the solution already in the wells.)
• Replace your contact lens case every three months or as soon as it becomes cracked or damaged.
• Never use saliva to wet/clean your lenses.
• Follow your eye doctor’s cleaning instructions.
• Keep the cap on solutions to prevent contamination.
• Don’t wear your contact lenses while swimming.
• Replace your lenses as recommended by your optometrist.

Regular eye examinations will help you keep your eyes healthy. Contact our office if you’re ready to make an appointment for your next exam.

Your Local Optometrist

Regular checkups with an eye doctor are very important because a professional eye exam will determine what type of care your eyes need and whether or not your vision is healthy. If you’re looking for an optometrist in the Toronto area, contact Tonic Eye Care today for all of your vision needs!