Long Term Effects of Contact Lenses

A lot of people prefer wearing contact lenses over eye glasses. These people either have an active lifestyle, are athletes, are very mobile, or simply prefer the freedom and comfort that contact lenses provide. A lot of people still wear glasses though and maybe one reason for such is their fears of the long term effects of contact lenses. What are the long term effects anyway? Here at America Top 10, we’ve done the research for you.

Although many people wear all kinds of contact lenses on a daily basis these days, not all of them are aware that contact lenses can actually harm your eyes. Wearing your contacts for too long, not cleaning them properly, and not replacing them regularly can all result in damage to your eyes.

Long term use of contact lenses can also lead to changes in the thickness of the cornea, changes in the shape of the cornea, the formation of micro cysts, vision loss, and decreased corneal sensitivity. While most of these changes are reversible if you discontinue the use of contacts for a period of time, the conditions can always return. Dry eye syndrome, swelling of the cornea, allergic reactions, and eye inflammation are also very common effects associated with chronic and improper use.

These pieces of information are all supported by a study published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science Journal. It was found that: the extended wear of hydrogel lenses induces significant changes in all layers of the cornea; that lens wear suppresses aerobic epithelial metabolism, which may compromise the epithelial barrier to infection; and that changes to the stroma and endothelium are long-lasting. What this means is that chronic wearing of contact lenses makes it more likely to acquire eye infections.

That published article then concludes that lens-induced effects on corneal physiology can be minimized by fitting lenses that have greater oxygen transmissibility, are more mobile, more frequently removed, and more regularly replaced. So, do find one that fits you. If you are anxious, ask help from an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.