“Can you damage your eyes with contacts?”
I am a 17 year old female. I wonder if you can damage your eyes with contacts?
6 Answers
OphthalmologistOphthalmologist
Yes, over wear, ischemia and infection can result in bad consequences.
Fortunately, serious problems related to contact lens wear are quite rare, probably because the recommended care of lenses reliably prevents them.
If you wear them incorrectly, do not follow instructions for care and replacement, or ignore signs and symptoms of infection or other problems, yes.
If not worn or cleaned properly, contact lenses can cause damage to your eyes.
You can damage your eyes with contacts if you sleep in them and not throw them away .
Absolutely! You can cause permanent damage if not worn properly. Remember, contact lenses are considered medical devices and should be used as instructed. Although some lenses say they care made to sleep in, that is only because they allow oxygen to get to your cornea. If you sleep in your contact lenses, you are putting yourself at risk of corneal infections which can lead to severe pain and possibly loss of vision. If you wear them properly however (washing your hands before putting them in and taking them out, not sleeping in them, disposing of them on schedule, etc.) then you are less likely to have any damage to your eyes.
