4 Risks of Artificial Contact Lenses

Cosmetic contact lenses can change the color or appearance of your eyes, helping you make subtle or bold expressions with your eyes. But be warned: Buying cosmetic contact lenses that have not been checked by an eye doctor can lead to serious eye problems and even vision loss.

Contact lenses require a prescription from a licensed eye doctor. They are considered medical devices by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlicensed vendors, including gas stations, convenience stores, and beauty salons, are banned from selling contact lenses. Importing and selling counterfeit contact lenses is illegal in the United States, and federal law enforcement agencies are working to stop it from happening. The simple fact is that unregulated contact lenses are bad news for your eyes.

Here are four ways over-the-counter decorative contact lenses can harm your eyes.

Ill-fitting contact lenses can scratch your eyes and cause painful sores.

When over-the-counter contact lenses don’t fit your eyes, the lenses can scratch the outer layer of your eye. This can lead to painful corneal wear. You may find your eyes are sore, red, and light-sensitive. You may also see discharge in your eye or feel something stuck in your eye.

Corneal abrasions can also cause corneal ulcers. A corneal ulcer may appear as a white spot on the iris, the colored part of the eye. Corneal ulcers are usually treated with medical eye drops. When the ulcer heals, it leaves a scar and permanently affects your vision. Sometimes, the cornea may be severely damaged, and a corneal transplant is needed to restore vision.

Over-the-counter contact lenses can cause serious eye infections

Bacteria, viruses, and amoebas are dangerous when they affect your eyes. Suppose your artificial contact lenses cause corneal wear and eye ulcers. In that case, your eyes are more susceptible to a severe eye infection known as keratitis. A 2011 study found that people wearing decorative contact lenses are 16 times more likely to develop keratitis than regular contact lenses!

Some infections, such as herpes simplex, keep coming back and are difficult to treat. In addition, many bacteria have developed resistance to standard antibiotic eye drops.

Colored contact lenses can be bad for your eyes

One study found that chemicals used to color over-the-counter colored contact lenses include chlorine and other harmful substances. These chemicals, known to be toxic to human tissues, can seep into your eyes, potentially causing vision loss.

Complications from decorative contact lenses can lead to other eye problems

Suppose you suffer from ongoing severe problems with over-the-counter contact lenses. In that case, you are at risk of developing other vision-limiting conditions, including cataracts and secondary glaucoma. You may need eye surgery to restore your vision or to try to save what vision you have left.