photo credit: drtavel.com
Cosmetic contact lenses or colored contact lenses may seem harmless but can lead to severe eye problems or loss of vision if not fit by an eye specialist. You need to have a prescription for contact lenses as they are deemed medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Non- prescription contacts can create problems due to issues such as poor fitting or unclean packing/creation.
When contact lenses not specifically fitted and sized for your eyes are worn, the cornea may be scratched, potentially leading to the following:
- Painful corneal abrasion
- Decreased vision
- Redness, soreness, itching
- Sensitivity to light
- Allergic reactions
- Corneal ulcers
Eye infections are also very common in non-prescribed contact lenses and may lead to the following:
- Persistent eye pain
- Decreased vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Discharge from the eye (this could be green/yellowish mucus like or more watery)
Discussing your options and proper contact lenses hygiene with an eye care professional, having the
proper measurements of your eyes taken, and getting a valid prescription is an easy way to avoid these
potentially life changing complications.
