Optician issues urgent 'do one thing' warning amid potentially deadly E.coli bacteria concerns
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."
READ MORE:Expert shares superfood breakfast to reduce risk of heart attacks
READ MORE:Strictly's Nick Knowles impresses but the night belonged to Chris McCausland
The bacteria found on the glasses can pose various health risks with Escherichia coli, aka E. coli, being one of them. While many strains are harmless, some however 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".
Another health risk includes Staphylococcus aureus. According to the eye specialists, this can cause inflammation of the eyelid such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and styes, which lead to long term issues with eye moisture and eye comfort.
And it doesn't stop there with pseudomonas aeruginosa also a risk. This bacterial pathogen is naturally present on plants such as in soil and in water and is a common cause of eye infections in contact lens wearers or people with eye injuries.
When it comes to clostridium perfringens, this is often associated with food poisoning and can cause severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Bacillus cereus is also known for causing two types of food poisoning with its symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Finally, people also need to be aware of faecal streptococci as whilst it's not always directly pathogenic, their 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