Risks of Contact Lenses

More than 24 million Americans opt for contact lenses over eyeglasses to correct their vision, according to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. For most of these contact lens wearers, they are a safe, invisible way to correct vision, also preserving the peripheral vision lost when wearing eyeglasses. Wearing contacts, however, also comes with the risk of eye irritation and infection, particularly when wearers ignore their optometrists' advice. Some of these risks are severe enough to permanently damage their vision.

Infections

• Contact lenses can cause eye infections, particularly when not cared for properly. One of the most common infections is conjunctivitis, or pink eye, an inflammation of the eye. Viruses, bacteria and allergies all can cause conjunctivitis. Contact lenses can increase the risk by picking up these infection sources and introducing them to the eyes when inserted or trapping them against the eye. Some cleaning solutions also have faced recalls after causing infections.

Scratches

• Contact lenses can scratch the cornea, a painful condition that can impair your vision. Lenses that do not fit properly might cause corneal scratches, as can lenses worn while sleeping. Hard contact lenses are more likely to cause scratches than soft lenses. When dust, dirt, wood shavings or sand are in the air, the contact lens can trap these substances against the cornea, potentially causing an abrasion. Being careless when taking out or putting in contact lenses increases the risk of scratching the cornea.

Irritation

• Not everyone can wear contact lenses. Contact lens solution can aggravate allergies in some wearers. Frequent allergy sufferers who constantly have eye irritation might also find that wearing contact lenses only make their conditions worse. Also, some people have tear ducts that do not keep the eyes moist enough. When they wear contact lenses, the eye will become red and irritated. If they still wish to wear contacts, laser surgery can correct this condition.

Serious Risks

• While infections and corneal scratches usually will clear up in a matter of days, wearing contact lenses also brings the risk of permanent eye damage. Corneal ulcers, open sores that develop in the outer cornea, are one of the most serious risks. These often can spring up if infections are left untreated and can eventually lead to blindness. Contact lens wearers also can cause a rare but serious eye infection, acanthamoeba keratitis, which can cause vision loss and requires a corneal transplant. This microbe can cling to contacts after they come into contact with tap or distilled water or homemade cleaning solutions.

Prevention

• Proper care and hygiene will alleviate most risks of contact lenses. Opt for disposable lenses to reduce infection risk, and never wear them at night even if they are designed for night wear. Only use optometrist-approved solutions to clean the contacts, and never clean them with water or spit. Wash your contact storage case with warm water daily, and discard the case after six months of use. Never swim in contacts. If you experience any kind of eye irritation, take your contacts out and throw them away. Do not put in a new pair until the irritation clears.