Tiny wounds on eye may lead to big problems in cer...( COLUMBUS Ohio - Almost one in 13 soft ...),Health

More than half of the 500 people taking part in the study had signs of mild abrasions - called corneal staining - on at least one eye.

Corneal staining happens to nearly everyone from time to time, whether or not they wear contact lenses, said Kelly Nichols, a study co-author and a clinical assistant professor of optometry at Ohio State University. However, people who wear contact lenses may be particularly susceptible to developing such abrasions if they don't clean and replace their lenses regularly.

Nichols and her colleagues wanted to look at the prevalence and potential causes of such abrasions in people who wear soft contact lenses.

"Contact lenses are still a very safe and effective form of vision correction," Nichols said. "The chance of developing serious visual complications related to wearing contact lenses is very low."

The surface of the cornea regenerates much like skin does -- old cells slough away to make room for new cells. But sometimes too many cells are shed, providing a gateway for bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms to enter the eye. '"/>

Contact: Kelly Nichols
Nichols.214@osu.edu
614-688-5381
Ohio State University
3-Jun-2002