Are there any dangers to wearing contacts?

Those who wear contacts should always do so under the care of an eye doctor. Although they’re not common, there is always a risk of infection and other damage with any lens; an eye care professional will be able to spot problems up front and help prevent you from permanently damaging your eyes. Some of the risks with contact lenses are higher for people who:

• Purchase zero-power lenses without a prescription.
• Have very dry eyes.
• Are exposed to chemical fumes or vapors.
• Work or live around intense heat or very dry atmospheres.
• Are exposed to potential chemical splashes or a lot of dust in the air.
• May encounter flying particles.

In order to lower the risks associated with wearing contacts, always be aware of the condition of your lenses and the behavior of your eyes. If any of these problems start to present themselves unexplainably, contact your eye doctor immediately:

• Redness of the eyes
• Watering eyes
• Vision change
• Discomfort or pain in the eyes