Contact lens wearers face a measurably higher risk of eye infections due to constant contact with the cornea. The most common include microbial keratitis, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Microbial keratitis — a bacterial infection of the cornea — affects roughly 1 in 500 daily lens wearers per year, and can cause permanent scarring if not treated promptly.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is rare but devastating, often linked to swimming or showering in contact lenses. It can require corneal transplant in severe cases.
These risks are completely eliminated after LASIK or SMILE Pro — one of the most underappreciated long-term benefits of refractive surgery.