The Gross, Scary Truth About What's Living On Your Contact Lenses

• Contacts lenses can trap germs between the eye and cause great damage to the cornea.
• In severe cases, this can lead to blindness.
• Does anything seem off? Call your doctor!

This video is not for the squeamish.

Our eyes are incredibly good at keeping germs from taking over. But when contact lenses come into play, the story changes. Contacts can trap germs between the eye, and if the bacteria can survive, this can cause great damage to the cornea.

In severe cases, people may develop microbial keratitis, an infection of the cornea that can lead to blindness. While the infection is rare -- only .2 percent of the population experiences it, according to the Gross Science video above -- it can be extremely painful and debilitating. To avoid risk for infection, it's important to take good care of your eyes and lenses, and to contact your doctor when anything seems off.

Learn more about the germs on your lenses in the video above, and then check out these tips for keeping your eyes healthy.

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