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  • Is it possible that wearing two contact lenses in one eye could have caused a corneal ulcer?


    Question:

    Is it possible that wearing two contact lenses in one eye could have caused a corneal ulcer? The lenses were on day two of a two-week lens, and there was more than one in the packet I subsequently discovered. Later that evening I developed pain, and was told I had an ulcer. Could this be due to wearing more than one contact lens in one eye?


    Answer:

    Wearing two contact lenses adds to lack of oxygen for the corneal surface, and the cornea develops hypoxia (oxygen deficiency). Hypoxia is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow so it does increase the risk of infection when two contact lenses are worn over the eye. The major risk factor for hypoxia is sleeping in contact lenses, so make sure to always take out contacts at nighttime before sleep.


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