Dhaka: If you wear contact lenses, chances are you've slept in them and on occasion even forgot to disinfect them.

According to an online study, experts say that at least 50% of contact users report wearing their lenses while sleeping and 82.3% of contact wearers keep their contact lens cases longer than recommended.

It was found that 99% of those people surveyed are at an increased risk for serious eye infections because of poor hygienic behaviour. Routines, like 'topping off' the lens solution or using water at times, can result in devastating eye infections and even blindness in some cases.

 "The lens case can get dirty, and germs from the case get onto the lens or vice versa, and eventually they get onto your eye and attack your cornea," said Thomas Steinemann, a researcher, adding that infections can happen within 24 hours of wearing a compromised lens.

One third of those surveyed also reported that they sought medical help for red or painful eyes related to wearing contact lenses. A few things that can be done to minimise the risk is not to use the lens beyond the recommended period, not sleep while wearing lenses (even extended use lenses), cleaning the solution every time the lens is used and ensuring that you dispose the case every three to four months.