Wearing colored contact lenses are a fun way to change the appearance of your eyes, but it can also pose multiple health risks if you aren’t careful. Many people who don’t have prescription lenses opt to purchase store-bought solutions, but eye doctors say this is a bad idea. That’s because over-the-counter lenses pose the following threats.

Why Should You Avoid Store-Bought Colored Lenses?

1. Unsafe Handling

Since they aren’t prescribed by a doctor, many colored lenses found in stores aren’t beholden to the same shipping, handling, and storage standards as real contacts. That means they can be covered in harmful germs, bacteria, and other contaminants when you place them on your eye.

These irritants lead to complicated reactions such as conjunctivitis and uveitis. If left untreated, reactions like these can lead to permanent vision loss and painful inflammation.

2. Improper Fit

When you get a prescription contact lens, the doctor fits it perfectly to your unique eye shape and size. Store-bought solutions do not take these precautions. Instead, they provide generic sizes that aren’t necessarily the right fit for your eyes.

That can cause them to scratch the surface of your cornea. This has the ability to develop into an infection that can cause decreased vision or even permanent blindness.

3. Allergic Reactions

One of the reasons it’s better to be prescribed contacts than to buy them in a store is because you might know that you are allergic to them. Certain lenses have been shown to cause a build-up of protein when wearing them.

If you leave them on too long, this will cause lens-related allergies that result in discomfort, blurred vision, and infections. Contacts are also known to exasperate health problems for people who suffer from severe allergies.

4. Disrupted Vision

Without being properly fitted for contacts, the store-bought lenses might move around your eyes throughout the day, particularly when you blink. When that happens, the hole in the center of the lens might not line up perfectly with your pupil, which impairs your vision.

The opaque tint around the center can also block light when your pupil expands, which makes it more difficult to see. These factors create dangerous situations when driving, exercising, or working with dangerous machinery.

 

Rather than purchasing any store-bought colored lenses, contact the team at Jeffery Foreman O.D. As one of the premier eye experts in Fort Dodge, IA, for more than 30 years, his team will ensure your eyes are thoroughly inspected. That way they can match you with contact lenses that are safe and perfectly fit your eyes. Call (515) 955-7777 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website for more information.