What important instruction should be given to a patient with bacterial conjunctivitis using contact lenses?

In the case of bacterial conjunctivitis, it's crucial for patients who use contact lenses to discard all opened or used lens care products. This is because bacterial conjunctivitis can lead to an increased risk of contamination in lens cleaning solutions and storage cases. If a lens care product has been used while the patient has a bacterial infection, it may harbor the bacteria that caused the infection, potentially leading to re-infection once the patient resumes using their lenses.

By discarding these products, patients reduce the chances of reinfecting themselves and can start fresh with new, sterile solutions that are less likely to contain harmful bacteria. This precaution is vital for ensuring proper hygiene and promoting faster recovery from the infection. The benefits of starting with new lens care products far outweigh the perceived inconvenience, especially in managing an eye infection.

Other choices present less appropriate responses to the situation, as they would not effectively mitigate the risks associated with bacterial contamination.