My soft contact lens was accidentally stained with yellow dye (fluorescein). Can I still wear it or will it cause damage to my eye?
NOV 09, 2015
Question:
My soft contact lens was accidentally stained with yellow dye (fluorescein). Can I still wear it or will it cause damage to my eye?
Answer:
Fluorescein dye is harmless, which is why eye care professionals can use it on the eye to help with diagnostic examinations. It has an organic chemical structure, which causes it to be attracted to, and stick to, the plastic of soft lenses. Most of it will quickly flush out with normal tear flow, although the lenses might retain a little for a while. This is generally harmless and does not affect the quality or optics of the lenses. You can use this lens in your normal schedule. I do not expect that you would experience any ill effects.