Risks Associated with Sharing Contact Lenses
Since the development of colored contact lenses and novelty costume contacts a disturbing trend has emerged amongst teenage lens wears – the swapping and sharing of lenses between friends. The sharing of lenses poses several problems to both the original and subsequent wearers.
Often teens do not see the harm in sharing lenses with friends since most often the contacts are not used to correct vision. Wearers usually view colored and costume lenses as clothing accessories. Contact lenses cover living tissue with a layer of plastic so regardless of whether the lenses are corrective or non-corrective (plano) they should be considered medical devices that require a prescription and authorization from a licensed eye care practitioner.
Colored and costume lenses are fun to wear and provide a great way to change your look; however, wearers should be sure to meet with an eye care practitioner for a contact lenses fitting to receive a prescription and only purchase lenses from licensed eye care professionals. Novelty lenses purchased at convenience stores, beauty salons, record stores and other retail locations are typically not FDA approved and can lead to unnecessary pain and suffering for the wearer.
Why is it dangerous to share or swap contact lenses with friends?
Infection – Contact lenses are bathed in tears when they are worn. These tears are filled with normal bacteria that are present in the body and may contain infectious or contagious agents. It is important to recall that what bacteria are normal for one wearer may not be the same as what is normal for the next wearer. This exchange of bacteria increases your risk of developing an eye infection.
Insufficient Oxygen – Remember that contact lenses are medical devices that are fitted to the exact specifications for each patient. A prescription is needed for all lenses even non-prescription colored or costume lenses to ensure that a proper fit is achieved. If lenses do not fit the eye properly, your eyes may not receive sufficient oxygen.
Mechanical Abrasions – Ill-fitting contact lenses can also lead to mechanical abrasions from rubbing on the lens or pressing too firmly against the cornea. Continuing to wear ill-fitting lenses can lead to redness, irritation, blurred vision and in some cases the development of a corneal ulcer.
Allergic Reaction – Those who swap or share contact lenses are also at a risk for allergic reactions to lens coatings as well as to contact lenses solutions and other care products since the products being used were not recommended by a licensed eye care practitioner.
If any of the above mentioned conditions are not promptly diagnosed and treated by an eye care practitioner, the lenses wearer may suffer from permanent eye damage and/or blindness.
When contact lenses are shared, the wearers typically to do not follow a stringent cleaning and disinfecting regime that is necessary for maintaining the lenses properly. Additionally, shared lenses are often worn for longer durations than recommended or stored for prolonged periods of time in the same solution since they are not needed for vision correction.
If you (or your teenager) are interested in wearing colored or costume lenses, schedule an appointment with your eye care practitioner for an eye exam and contact lens fitting. To learn more about contacts and how to properly care for them read Contact Lens Basics and Proper Contact Lens Care to get started.