Cosmetic colored contact lenses have become a beauty staple, popular among teens and young adults — even those who have no vision problems and no need for corrective lenses whatsoever. They promise a striking new look, an instant transformation that is as easy as a trip to the nearest beauty store or a few clicks online.
If contact lenses are purchased without an eye health specialist, the user wouldn’t receive hygiene and safety instructions, including the warning signs that require urgent medical attention.
But behind the appeal lies a medical reality that eye care professionals at top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) want every patient to understand, cosmetic contact lenses can put your eyes at serious risk.
Any pair of contact lenses is, above all, a medical device. When prescribed to help correct a refractive error such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, a trained eye care professional evaluates the patient’s eye health, fits the lens precisely to the cornea’s dimensions, and provides detailed safety guidance. It’s a carefully managed risk which experts take because of the potential benefit of improved vision.
None of that applies when it comes to a person with healthy eyes who uses colored lenses purely for cosmetic effect.
“If your eyes are healthy and you have no refractive error, putting in a contact lens introduces an unnecessary foreign body onto your cornea. You are accepting all the risks of contact lens wear with absolutely none of the clinical benefit,” explains Mary Ellen Sy, MD, Cornea and External Eye Disease Consultant at MakatiMed’s Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Sy adds that even properly prescribed, quality-controlled lenses carry serious risks when not used correctly. Wearing contact lenses may bring about complications such as corneal hypoxia or when the cornea doesn’t get enough oxygen; microbial keratitis or when bacteria, fungi, and amoebae colonize contact lenses and cause corneal infections that are difficult to treat; corneal abrasions, which is often caused by an ill-fitting lens or improper handling; and chronic inflammation and dry eye.
If these complications occur even among patients who received professional guidance and used regulated lenses, every one of these possible issues get amplified for cosmetic lens wearers.
The MakatiMed doctor points out that colored contact lenses are designed differently from the usual corrective ones, emphasizing that the tint on a lens adds another layer of risk for the users.
“The colored pigment layer is thicker than a clear lens, which further reduces oxygen transmissibility to the cornea. And if obtained without a prescription, they are never fitted to the individual’s corneal curvature and diameter, which creates micro-trauma to the corneal surface,” says Dr. Sy.
The doctor expounds that many cosmetic contact lenses are sold through fashion stores, novelty shops, and online marketplaces with no regulatory oversight, giving users no way to verify the safety of the materials, pigments, and manufacturing process. If the lenses are purchased without an eye health specialist, the user wouldn’t also receive hygiene and safety instructions which include safe wear duration and proper cleaning and information on the warning signs that require urgent medical attention.
“We have seen young, otherwise healthy patients develop corneal ulcers from cosmetic lenses purchased at a market stall. Some have required corneal transplantation. This is preventable blindness, and that is what makes these cases so heartbreaking,” warns Dr. Sy.
As a general rule, Dr. Sy urges all contact lens users to seek immediate medical attention if they experience eye pain or increasing discomfort; redness that persists after removing the lens; discharge, excessive tearing, or sensitivity to light; blurred or reduced vision; a persistent sensation of a foreign body in the eye; and any whitening or opacity on the cornea.
“Do not wait for symptoms to improve on their own. Corneal infections can progress from mild irritation to permanent vision loss within 24 to 48 hours,” reveals Dr. Sy.
The MakatiMed doctor encourages everyone to first get guidance from an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist when it comes to contact lens use, whether it’s for cosmetic or corrective purposes.
“Insist on a proper prescription specifying lens brand, base curve, and diameter suited to your individual corneal measurements, and purchase only from reputable, regulated sources. Never buy contact lenses from novelty stores, market stalls, or unverified online seller,” Dr. Sy firmly states.
She continues, “Follow all professional instructions on insertion, removal, cleaning, storage, and replacement schedules exactly. Attend regular eye examinations so that any early signs of corneal damage can be detected and managed promptly.”
“No cosmetic trend is worth the permanent loss of vision. If you have questions about contact lens safety or are experiencing any eye symptoms, please seek professional care without delay,” Dr. Sy concludes.
For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email [email protected], or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
