Summary: Contact lenses are safe for most people when properly prescribed by an eye care professional and used according to guidelines. They offer benefits including natural vision and convenience, but carry risks such as infections (4 per 10,000 daily wear users annually) when improperly used. This comprehensive guide covers safety profiles of different lens types, proper care routines, and when to seek medical attention.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the safety profile of contact lenses through expert insights and evidence-based recommendations. From the convenience they offer to the potential complications that can arise from improper use, we'll provide you with everything you need to know about contact lens safety, care routines, and best practices for maintaining optimal eye health.
What Are Contact Lenses and How Safe Are They?
Contact lenses are FDA-regulated Class II or III medical devices that rest directly on the eye's tear film to correct vision problems. According to the American Optometric Association, approximately 45 million Americans wear contact lenses regularly with high satisfaction rates. [American Optometric Association, 2025]
When properly fitted by an eye care professional and used according to guidelines, contact lenses provide a safe vision correction option. However, their safety depends heavily on proper handling, cleaning, and adherence to wearing schedules.
What Are the Benefits of Contact Lenses?
Summary: Contact lenses provide natural vision with an unobstructed field of view, convenience for active lifestyles, aesthetic flexibility, and can correct multiple vision conditions including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
Natural Vision and Wider Field of View
Unlike glasses, contact lenses move with your eye, eliminating peripheral distortion and reflections while providing a more natural visual experience with an unobstructed field of view.
Convenience for Active Lifestyles
Contact lenses don't fog up with temperature changes, stay in place during physical activities, and aren't affected by weather conditions. This makes them particularly beneficial for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
Vision Correction Capabilities
Contact lenses can effectively correct multiple vision conditions:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia (age-related vision changes)
For specific conditions like keratoconus, specialized prescription contact lenses often provide superior vision correction compared to glasses.
What Are the Risks of Contact Lens Use?
Summary: Contact lens risks range from minor (dryness, irritation) to serious (infections). Research shows the annual incidence of microbial keratitis is approximately 4 per 10,000 daily wear users and 20 per 10,000 for extended wear lenses. Risk factors include poor hygiene, sleeping in lenses, and water exposure.
Common Minor Complications
Most contact lens wearers experience occasional minor issues, including:
- Eye dryness and irritation from reduced tear film quality
- Allergic reactions to lens materials or cleaning solutions
- Redness due to oxygen reduction or mild irritation
- Foreign body sensation, particularly during adaptation
Serious Eye Health Risks
While less common, serious complications can occur with improper contact lens use:
Corneal Infections (Microbial Keratitis)
According to research published in the Journal of Ophthalmology, the annual incidence of microbial keratitis is approximately 4 per 10,000 daily wear users and 20 per 10,000 for extended wear lenses. Untreated infections can lead to corneal scarring and vision loss.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
"Acanthamoeba keratitis is particularly associated with swimming while wearing contacts or using tap water to clean lenses, and can be extremely difficult to treat," explains Dr. Thomas Steinemann, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Risk Factors That Increase Complications
Research consistently identifies behaviors that significantly increase complication risk:
- Sleeping in lenses not designed for overnight wear
- Extending wearing periods beyond recommended guidelines
- Poor hand hygiene before handling lenses
- Using water instead of proper cleaning solutions
- Reusing or "topping off" old solution
- Infrequent lens case cleaning and replacement
How Should You Clean and Care for Contact Lenses?
Summary: Proper contact lens hygiene includes thorough hand washing, following lens-specific cleaning protocols, and regular case maintenance. According to the CDC, proper hand washing alone can prevent up to 70% of contact lens-related eye infections.
Hand Washing Protocol
Always wash hands with soap and water and dry with a lint-free towel before touching contact lenses. According to the CDC, this simple step can prevent up to 70% of eye infections related to contact lens use.
Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines
For non-daily disposable lenses, follow these evidence-based practices:
- Clean lenses immediately after removal with the solution recommended by your eye care professional
- Rub and rinse lenses even when using "no-rub" solutions for optimal cleaning
- Never substitute water, homemade saline, or saliva for proper lens solutions
- Avoid mixing different solutions unless specifically directed by your eye care professional
Lens Case Maintenance
Contact lens cases can harbor microorganisms if not properly maintained:
- Empty and clean cases daily with fresh solution
- Allow cases to air dry completely between uses
- Replace lens cases at least every three months
- Never rinse cases with tap water
Which Contact Lens Types Are Safest?
Summary: Daily disposable lenses offer the highest safety profile with the lowest infection risk. Bi-weekly/monthly lenses require strict cleaning protocols, while extended wear lenses carry 5-10 times higher infection risk. All decorative lenses require professional fitting despite their purpose.
Daily Disposable Lenses
Daily disposables offer the highest safety profile because they're discarded after each use, eliminating cleaning and storage needs:
- No buildup of deposits, allergens, or microbes
- No need for cleaning solutions that can cause sensitivities
- Fresh, sterile lens every day
- Lowest risk of serious eye infections among all lens types
Bi-weekly and Monthly Replacement Lenses
These require more careful maintenance but are more cost-effective than dailies:
- Require proper daily cleaning and disinfection
- Higher risk of deposit buildup over time
- More potential for solution-related complications
- Need for consistent compliance with replacement schedules
Extended Wear Lenses
Some lenses are FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear, but carry higher risks:
- 5-10 times increased risk of corneal infections compared to daily wear
- May cause more oxygen deprivation during sleep
- Not recommended for those with dry eye or higher sensitivity
Specialty and Decorative Lenses
Colored contact lenses and special effect lenses must meet the same safety standards as corrective lenses:
- Always purchase from legitimate sources with valid prescriptions
- Avoid costume or novelty lenses sold without prescriptions
- All decorative lenses, even non-corrective ones, require proper fitting by an eye care professional
What Do Eye Care Professionals Recommend for Safe Contact Lens Wear?
Summary: Eye care professionals emphasize proper professional fitting, strict wearing schedule compliance, and immediate attention to eye discomfort. Regular check-ups and having backup glasses are essential practices.
Professional Fitting and Follow-up
"A proper fitting by a qualified eye care professional is essential. The lens must match your eye's unique shape and your specific vision needs. This isn't optional—it's the foundation of safe contact lens wear," emphasizes Dr. Susan Resnick, Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
Wearing Schedule Compliance
Follow prescribed wearing schedules strictly:
- Never sleep in lenses unless specifically approved for overnight wear
- Remove lenses at the first sign of redness, pain, or discomfort
- Take regular breaks from lens wear when possible
- Consider a "glasses day" once a week to give eyes a rest
When to Seek Medical Attention
Remove lenses and seek immediate professional care if you experience:
- Persistent redness
- Pain or discomfort
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Excessive tearing or discharge
- Swelling around the eyes
What Special Precautions Should Contact Lens Wearers Take?
Summary: Contact lens wearers should avoid water exposure, use makeup products labeled "ophthalmologist tested," and take extra precautions in dry or high-altitude environments by using approved rewetting drops.
Water Activities and Contact Lenses
Water exposure presents significant risks for contact lens wearers:
- Remove lenses before swimming, using hot tubs, or showering
- If lenses must be worn for water activities, use watertight goggles
- Discard lenses that have been exposed to water, if possible
- For water activities, consider daily disposables to minimize risks
Makeup and Cosmetics Compatibility
When using makeup with contact lenses:
- Insert lenses before applying makeup
- Use oil-free, fragrance-free products labeled "ophthalmologist tested"
- Replace eye makeup every 3-6 months to prevent bacterial contamination
- Remove lenses before removing makeup
Environmental Considerations
Environmental factors can affect lens comfort and safety:
- In dry, windy, or dusty conditions, use lubricating drops approved for contact lenses
- During air travel, apply rewetting drops more frequently due to low cabin humidity
- In high-altitude conditions, be aware of potential changes in lens fit and comfort
How Have Contact Lenses Improved in Safety?
Summary: Modern contact lens technology includes high-oxygen permeable materials that reduce hypoxia-related complications by 5-7 times, moisture-retaining technologies for better comfort, and antimicrobial innovations to reduce infection risk.
High-Oxygen Permeable Materials
Silicone hydrogel materials have revolutionized contact lens safety by allowing up to 5-7 times more oxygen to reach the cornea compared to traditional hydrogel lenses. A 2018 study in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye journal found this significantly reduces hypoxia-related complications.
Moisture-Retaining Technologies
Newer lenses incorporate moisture-retaining compounds or surface treatments that:
- Maintain consistent hydration throughout the day
- Reduce protein and lipid deposits
- Minimize friction between the lens and the eye surface
- Improve comfort during longer wearing periods
Antimicrobial Innovations
Advanced lenses and solutions include antimicrobial properties:
- Silver-containing lens cases reduce bacterial growth
- Solution preservatives that are less irritating but maintain effectiveness
- Materials that resist bacterial adhesion to the lens surface
What Are the Long-Term Considerations for Contact Lens Wearers?
Summary: As eyes age, contact lens needs change. Presbyopia typically develops in the 40s, dry eye becomes more common, and prescriptions require more frequent updates. Having current prescription glasses is essential as a backup.
Contact Lenses and Aging Eyes
As eyes change with age:
- Presbyopia typically develops in the 40s, requiring reading glasses or multifocal contacts
- Dry eye becomes more common, potentially reducing lens tolerance
- Regular prescription updates become more important
- Lens styles may need to be adjusted to accommodate changing eye needs
Maintaining Backup Vision Correction
"Having a current pair of glasses is essential for contact lens wearers. They provide a necessary backup for times when contacts cannot be worn due to eye irritation, infection, or other temporary conditions," notes Dr. Barry Weissman, Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA. [UCLA Health, 2025]
Future Contact Lens Technologies
Emerging technologies promise even safer contact lens options:
- Drug-eluting lenses that release medication directly to the eye
- Smart contact lenses that monitor eye health or glucose levels
- Self-cleaning lens materials that reduce infection risk
- Customized lenses manufactured specifically for individual eye shapes
Are Contact Lenses Right for You?
Summary: Contact lenses are safe for most people when used properly. The key is following professional recommendations, maintaining proper hygiene, and responding promptly to any complications. Most problems result from non-compliance rather than the lenses themselves.
"The safety profile of today's contact lenses is excellent when patients follow proper care protocols. Most complications we see result from non-compliance with basic hygiene and wearing guidelines, not from the lenses themselves," concludes Dr. Glenda Secor, past chair of the American Academy of Optometry's Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies.
By understanding both the benefits and risks, following proper care protocols, and maintaining regular professional check-ups, you can enjoy clear vision and healthy eyes throughout your contact lens wearing experience. Remember that your eye care professional is your best resource for personalized advice about the safest options for your unique eyes and lifestyle.
