Scots found to be dirtiest lens wearers in UK

A survey has found that Scottish contact lens wearers are the dirtiest in the UK. Across the UK, 82% of people keep their lenses in for too long and 60% sleep with them in, but the 250,000 Scottish contact-lens wearers topped the list for unhygenic habits.

One in seven of those surveyed lick their lenses before putting them in and a quarter put them in without washing their hands first. A further 25% admitted picking a lens off the floor and putting it straight back into their eye. Scots also constituted the highest proportion in the UK for not disposing of their lenses when they should and not cleaning them between wears.

The survey found men were laziest when it came to caring for their lenses. More than half had slept with them in and 44% admitted to not having washed their hands before putting them in.

But women were found to have the most unhygenic habits; nearly a quarter admitting licking lenses before putting them in their eyes. Some said they had shared lenses with friends and 16% admitted wearing lenses they had dropped on the floor.

cameronoptometry advises all lens wearers to use only the solutions recommended by their optometrist, to keep them clean and care from as advised. If you are unsure about caring for your lenses, click here for more information or contact us to make and appointment for a refresher lesson.