Glasses and contact lens wearers warned ‘do this’ to avoid potentially
A swab test carried out on a pair of glasses belonging to a contractor from Leightons Opticians has revealed that your everyday specs could be a breeding ground for a variety of potentially harmful bacteria – and it could be deadly.
The professional swab test identified six different types of bacteria, including some that can lead to serious health problems. These included traces of Escherichia coli (E.coli), Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Faecal streptococci.
Kiki Soteri, therapeutic optometrist and Head of Clinical Services at Leightons Opticians commented on the findings, “Real-world swab results are eye-opening. While it’s normal for some bacteria to be present on our glasses, the variety found on this pair of glasses demonstrates very clearly that people could be more proactive at cleaning eyewear. E. coli, pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus, in particular, can cause a range of health issues, including inflammation and infection allowed to proliferate near the eyes.”
The bacteria found on glasses can pose various health risks with E. coli – aka Escherichia coli – being among the – however whilst many strains are harmless, some can cause severe food poisoning, urinary tract infections, and other illnesses. The bacterium grows very quickly in fresh faecal matter and, therefore, is a good indicator of faecal contamination.
In fact, according to WHO: “In most cases, the illness is self-limiting, but it may lead to a life-threatening disease including haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), especially in young children and the elderly”.
Eye specialists are also warning of the dangers of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that can cause inflammation of the eyelid such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and styes. These conditions can lead to long-term issues with eye moisture and comfort. But the health risks don’t end there, with pseudomonas aeruginosa also posing a threat. This bacterial pathogen is naturally found on plants, such as in soil and water, and is a common cause of eye infections in contact lens wearers or those with eye injuries.
Clostridium perfringens is another bacteria to be wary of and is often associated with food poisoning which can cause severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. In addition to this, bacillus cereus is also known for causing two types of food poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Lastly, people need to be aware of faecal streptococci as while not always directly pathogenic, its presence indicates faecal contamination.
Kiki Soteri emphasises the importance of regular glasses hygiene saying: “Our sample swab highlights the need for consistent spectacle hygiene. While there’s no universal rule, research suggests cleaning your glasses at least once a day is advisable. A study published by PLoS One found that even after just one day of wear, spectacles can accumulate significant bacterial loads, particularly on nose pads and ear clips.
“For those in high-risk environments or professions, more frequent cleaning may be necessary. Additionally, a recent survey of spectacle wearers found that while 70% clean their glasses daily, only 63% use a proper cleaning solution. It’s not just about frequency, but also using the right methods to effectively kill and reduce bacteria.”
Kiki recommends how to clean your glasses
- Wash your hands
- Rinse your spectacles with body-temperature water Avoid hot water, as this can damage the lens coating
- Put a small amount of washing-up liquid or mild handwash on the frame and lenses (except where you have been specifically advised that your frame and lens materials are not compatible with a particular soap or detergent)
- Rub both sides of the lenses and the frame to remove skin oils
- Concentrate especially on rubbing the parts of the frame that sit on the nose and behind the ears
- Rinse your spectacles with body-temperature water
- Dry the frame and lenses with a soft cloth or microfibre cloth
