Are Contacts Bad for Your Eyes? Risks and Safety

Are Contacts Bad For Your Eyes?

Contact lenses are medical devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to correct common vision problems, including:

Nearsightedness and farsightedness
Astigmatism (blurry vision)
Presbyopia (trouble with near vision in aging adults)

Approximately 45 million people in the U.S. wear contact lenses. Ninety percent of wearers use soft contact lenses. Many people choose contact lenses over glasses because they do not affect their appearance or interfere with sports or physical activities.¹

There are many benefits to wearing contact lenses, including improved vision. However, a lack of proper contact lens hygiene can lead to an eye infection and other complications.

Common misuses of contact lenses include:

Wearing them to bed
Not routinely cleaning or disinfecting the lenses with proper solution
Wearing them in water (swimming, showering, bathing)
Not storing them according to care instructions
Using colored or costume contact lenses

Risks of Wearing Contact Lenses

1. Eye Infection (Keratitis)

Microbial keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) is a severe type of eye infection. It’s typically caused by contact lens wearers failing to follow care instructions.

Types of microbial keratitis include:

Bacterial keratitis
Fungal keratitis
Parasitic keratitis
Viral keratitis

It is essential to seek medical attention from an eye doctor if you experience symptoms of keratitis, including:

Irritated red eyes
Pain in and around the eyes, even after removal of contact lenses
Sudden blurry vision
Light sensitivity
Unusual eye discharge

2. Corneal Abrasion

Contact lenses can cause a corneal abrasion (scratch or scrape on the cornea’s surface) if they are torn or have a rough edge. Other causes include dry eyes, rubbing your eyes, and using makeup brushes.

Corneal abrasion symptoms include:

Feeling that something is in your eye
Blurry vision
Red painful or irritated eyes
Light sensitivity

A corneal abrasion typically takes about a week to heal. Treatment typically includes wearing a bandage contact lens and prescription eye drops. A corneal transplant may be necessary if the abrasion is severe and leaves an extensive scar.

3. Conjunctivitis

People who wear contact lenses have an increased risk of contact lens-induced papillary conjunctivitis (CLPC). Using non-silicone hydrogel or daily disposable contact lenses can help decrease this risk.

Severe cases of CLPC can lead to giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), resulting in red, swollen, and irritated eyelids. It is essential to treat GPC right away to avoid eyelid and cornea damage.

Symptoms of GPC include:

Red, painful, itchy eyes
Excess mucus in the eye
Droopy eyelids
Feeling like your contact lens is moving up your eyeball

GPC treatment includes:

Discontinuing contact lens use for a few weeks
Medicated eye drops
Changing the type of contact lenses

4. Corneal Ulcer

Corneal ulcers (an open sore on the cornea) can result from an eye infection or severe dry eyes. People who wear contact lenses are at an increased risk of developing a corneal ulcer.

A corneal ulcer is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately by an eye doctor to prevent permanent vision loss and blindness.

Symptoms of a corneal ulcer include:

Severe eye pain and soreness
Pus or discharge
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Eyelid swelling
A white spot on your cornea

Corneal ulcer treatment includes antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicated eye drops. If symptoms persist after treatment, a corneal transplant may be necessary.

5. Dry Eyes

Wearing contact lenses for an extended period can cause dry eyes. As a result, your eyes don’t produce or make the right kind of tears. You are at an increased risk of infection, inflammation, and corneal ulcers without adequate tears.

Symptoms of dry eyes include:

Stinging or burning sensation
Blurred vision
Scratchy or gritty feeling in your eye
Mucus discharge
Pain when wearing contact lenses

Dry eye treatment includes artificial tears, blocking tear ducts, and eliminating the cause of dry eye.

How to Prevent Eye Damage From Contacts

Taking care of your contact lenses and following proper instructions is the best way to prevent eye damage.

Caring for Contact Lenses

Cleaning and care of your contact lenses will depend on the lens type. The most effective way to prevent eye infections includes:

Keeping a consistent schedule for wearing and changing your contact lenses
Rubbing lenses when cleaning them
Rinsing lenses with a store-bought solution, not water
Storing your lenses in a clean case designed for contact lenses
Changing the contact lens storage case at least three times a year
Taking frequent breaks from wearing contact lenses
Ordering new lenses as needed; don’t try to extend the life of lenses
Visiting your eye doctor annually for an eye exam

Do Not Wear Contact Lenses to Bed

Sleeping with contact lenses, even napping, significantly increases your risk of an eye infection. Prolonged use can lead to:

Corneal abrasions
Corneal ulcers
Permanent vision loss
Blindness

Water and Contact Lenses Don’t Mix

Eye doctors stress the importance of avoiding swimming, showering, and bathing while wearing contact lenses because of the increased risk of eye infection.

Prescription swim goggles can keep your vision clear while decreasing your chance of a corneal infection.

What About Colored Contacts?

People often wear colored contacts to change eye color or as a fashion statement. Colored contacts are safe as long as they are prescribed and fitted by a licensed ophthalmologist.

Non-prescription colored contacts purchased from a store or vendor are dangerous and increase the risk of eye damage. It is illegal to sell non-prescription contact lenses due to the risk of eye infection, scratched cornea, and blindness.

Contacts vs. Glasses (Pros and Cons)

Many people who require vision correction have both contact lenses and glasses. Both glasses and contacts have pros and cons regarding comfort and style.

Pros and Cons of Glasses

Pros include:

Don’t require a lot of maintenance, just the occasional cleaning
Convenient for grabbing and going
Many styles to choose from
Don’t have to touch your eyes
Low risk of eye infection

Cons include:

Can distort your peripheral vision (side vision)
Can’t wear nonprescription sunglasses
Lenses can fog up
Not convenient for sports or physical activity

Pros and Cons of Contact Lenses

Pros include:

Easier to play sports
Don’t change your appearance
Provide more natural vision
Don’t fog up
Allow you to wear sunglasses

Cons include:

Require more care than eyeglasses
Put you at risk for eye infections
Require equipment (solution and case)
May still need reading glasses with contacts
Can be uncomfortable
Takes time to get used to putting in contact lenses

Summary

Contact lenses are medical devices that correct common vision issues, including nearsightedness and farsightedness. As long as you follow care instructions, contacts are safe and effective.

However, wearing contact lenses can put you at a higher risk for eye infections and damage if not used appropriately. To ensure eye safety while wearing contact lenses, you should practice clean hygiene and avoid sleeping, swimming, and showering while wearing your lenses.

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