Health Watch is a public service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

This week on Health Watch, we're talking about Labor Day weekend and the last gasp of summer. If your Labor Day plans include a trip to the lake or the local swimming hole, you should be sure not to wear your contact lenses while you're swimming.

Dr. Dwight Cavanagh, chairman of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, says that's because there's an amoeba living in lakes, ponds and rivers that can bind to contact lenses and cause cornea damage that can lead to blindness. The infection is rare, but it's still a serious risk. You should also avoid bathing or taking a shower while wearing your contact lenses. See a doctor if your eyes become red and sore with decreased vision.

###

August 2006

Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.