Contact lenses are thin, curved plastic disks that are placed over the cornea, or the outer layer of the eye, for vision correction. According to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, there are 24 million people in the United States alone who wear contact lenses. Contact lenses are generally used for conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, distorted vision or astigmatism, and for individuals who require bifocals. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are risks associated with the use of contact lenses and these include eye infections, corneal ulcers or pink eye.
Eye Infections
According to the FDA, people wearing contact lenses are at risk of eye infections. Keratitis is the most common infection that can occur in people wearing contact lenses. Keratitis is an infection of the cornea. It can be caused due to herpes, bacteria, fungus and microbes. The FDA reports that symptoms of keratitis include blurry vision, unusual redness or pain in the eye, excessive tearing or discharge from the eye, increased sensitivity to light, and a sensation of a foreign body being present in the eye.
Corneal Ulcers
According to the FDA, people using contact lenses are at risk of developing corneal ulcers. The agency reports that corneal ulcers are open sores that develop in the outer layer of the cornea. These corneal ulcers usually occur due to infections in the eye. People are at increased risk of developing corneal ulcers if they wear their soft contact lenses overnight. Corneal ulcers cause burning and itching in the eye. Pain and redness may also occur. The FDA states that impaired vision, light sensitivity, watery eyes and white patches on the cornea are some of the symptoms of corneal ulcers.
Pink Eye and Other Risks
According to the FDA, contact lenses put an individual at risk of developing pink eye and other eye-related problems. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the surface tissue of the eye or the inside lining of the eyelids. Contact lens use can also increase an individual's risk of developing corneal abrasions, which are scratches or cuts on the clear outer layer of the eye or the cornea. Use of contact lenses may also cause eye irritation in individuals.
