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  • Close-up of eyes wearing pale blue costume contact lenses

    Four Ways Over-the-Counter Costume Contact Lenses Can Ruin Vision

    Leer en Español:
    Cuatro maneras de arruinar su visión con lentes de contacto decorativos sin prescripción
    Written By: Shirley Dang
    Oct. 01, 2014

    While they may be the perfect finishing touch on a costume, non-prescription cosmetic contact lenses can wreak havoc on your vision. Below are four ways that over-the-counter decorative contact lenses can seriously harm your eyes:

    Over-the-Counter Lenses Can Scratch Your Eye

    Man rubbing his eye

    Over-the-counter lenses are not fitted and sized for the person wearing the contacts, so they can easily scrape the outer layer of the eye. The resulting corneal abrasions can cause redness, light sensitivity, discharge, pain, plus the feeling that something is lodged in the eye.

    Poorly Maintained Contacts Can Cause Sores 

    Woman looking at her eye in a mirror
     
    Costume contact lenses can literally create an eye sore called a corneal ulcer, with symptoms similar to corneal abrasions. The ulcers sometimes appear as a white dot on the iris, the colored part of the eye, and may require treatment with medicated eye drops. When the ulcers heal, they can scar over and permanently and adversely affect vision.

    Non-prescription Contacts Can Lead to Eye Infections

    Close up of eye with red veins

    Both corneal abrasions and ulcers create openings in the eye, making them more vulnerable to bacteria, viruses and amoebas. All of these organisms can cause serious eye infections known as keratitis. A 2011 study found that wearing cosmetic contact lenses increased the risk of keratitis by more than 16 times. Some infections, such as herpes simplex, can be recurring and difficult to eradicate, while a number of bacteria have become resistant to common antibiotic eye drops.  

    What's the Worst that Can Happen from Illegal Over-the-counter Contacts? Blindness.

    Ophthalmologist surgeon performing eye surgery on draped patient

    In the most extreme cases, complications from wearing costume contact lenses may end in blindness or require surgery. For instance, extensive scarring from an infection can distort the cornea or make it opaque, requiring a corneal transplant to restore vision.

    Real People, Real Problems with Colored Contact Lenses

    • Julian: Teenager Blinded In One Eye By Non-Prescription Contact Lens
    • Laura: Vision Loss After Just 10 Hours
    • Robyn: Blurry Vision and Daily Eye Drops After One Use

    Facts About Colored Contacts and Costume Safety

    • Colored Contacts Facts
    • Over-the-Counter Costume Contacts May Contain Chemicals Harmful to Eyes
    • Eye Makeup Safety

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  • Colored Contact
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