Can coloured lenses damage your eyes?
Colored contacts “are medical devices,” according to the FDA. “Places that advertise them as cosmetics or sell them non-prescription, without a prescription, are breaking regulations.” Being regular with the check-ups can help your eye doctor detect problems due to the lens in the early stages and prevent them from getting serious giving you timely treatment. There will be a high risk of conjunctivitis and stye in the event that you wear contact lenses for long hours at a time, especially through the night. They offer a moist environment which acts as a potential breeding ground for microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. Additionally, since less oxygen reaches the cornea when you wear lenses, your body doesn’t fight off contamination that is due to bacteria or viruses as effectively as it should.
- If your colored contact lenses are the wrong size or curvature, they can cause irritation or abrasions.
- All contact lenses are medical devices which are regulated by the U.S. government.
- Then, they write a prescription predicated on your eye measurements.
- Even though you aren’t having any problems now, the lenses still could be causing damage to your eyes.
Contacts that don’t fit your eyes properly drastically increase the odds for infections, ulcerations, and eye-related problems. The FDA warns that wearing contact lenses can irritate the eyes and result in pink eye , corneal infections, scratches on the cornea, possible impaired vision, and blindness. Symptoms such as for example redness or pain in the attention, feeling as if something is in the eye, light sensitivity, or perhaps a decrease in vision are signs of a possible eye infection. They might need immediate attention from a qualified eye care professional. Despite what the package may say, nonprescription colored contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all. Ill-fitting lenses can scrape the outer layer of your eye called the cornea.
Prescription Colored Contact Lenses
An authorized eye doctor will test your eyes to make certain the contacts fit properly. Dr. Steinemann also warns that counterfeit lenses are normal if you’re buying via an illegal outlet.
If bacteria or other microorganisms get trapped underneath your contact lenses, they could cause sores called corneal ulcers. This can also result in a significant eye infection called keratitis. I have already been wearing coloured contact lenses for many years.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and in addition list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Use glasses if you are at home to ensure that corneal reflex isn’t diminished an excessive amount of by constant use. All of this information will let your doctor know if your eyes are healthy enough to wear contacts.
Home Cures And Beauty Tips
Swapping eye germs can lead to a nasty eye infection. Plus, your friend’s contacts is probably not the right ones for you personally, adds Dr. Bazan. You can try colored contacts even though you have perfect vision.
You have to store them in a lens case with all-in-one lens solution. You could find it in pharmacies, ophtalmologists and big stores. Yes, but lots of people recommend to apply constitute once you get your lenses on.
Steinemann says a few of the lenses sold illegally are made overseas using questionable products. Probably not, if they still feel or look exactly the same after five minutes take them off.
Contact lenses can also increase the chance of eye damage because bacteria along with other infection-causing agents can accumulate in it. This is also true as the lenses grow older and deposits accumulate on leading and back surfaces of the lenses. Most colored contacts are made to mimic the natural look of the colored part of the eye, called the iris. Infections of and damage to the cornea caused by the improper use of coloured lenses can lead to impaired vision or even blindness. If left untreated, a corneal infection can cause a corneal ulcer, which is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea.
They can easily fit into easily onto the attention and allow you to perform numerous tasks that could be uncomfortable in glasses such as for example traveling, exercising, etc. 8 Risks and UNWANTED EFFECTS of Using CONTACTS 1 Blockage of Oxygen Supply to the Eyes. Since contact lenses lie directly on the eye and cover… 2 Dry Eyes. Contact lens reduces the quantity of tears getting on the cornea because they absorb most… 3 Irritation when Combined with Medication, especially CONTRACEPTIVE Pill. Melody Huang can be an optometrist and freelance health writer.
However, if you don’t use contacts properly, you can be exposed to some side effects that could even affect your vision over time. Sure, you might not get a perfect tan wearing goggles—but that’s definitely a better problem than losing your eyesight after going for a swim. Maggie O’Neill is a health writer and reporter based in New York who focuses on covering medical research and emerging wellness trends, with a focus on cancer and addiction.
