Contact lens risks?

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   PaperNotesposted 14 years ago

   I've been thinking about using colored lens for fun. Right now I don't use prescription glasses or lens.
   Anyone know how high are the risks involved in using contact lens? and how do you know if you're eyes are suitable to wear contacts or not?

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      Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thousands of people all over the world wear contact lenses all the time.  If you are careful with hygiene, the risks are very low indeed.  If you're careless, the risks are high.
      
      An Australian boxer recently lost most of the sight in one eye because he used his own saliva to moisten a contact lens.
      
      I wear contact lenses for dancing.  I've only had one infection, and that's when I borrowed someone else's eye make-up for a performance (never again)!  However, given that there is a risk, I wouldn't wear them just to change the color of my eyes.

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   2. 60

      Miramarusaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Wearing contact lenses puts the wearer at risk for eye infections. Eye irritations and infections will show in red, painful eyes. There may be swelling, pain and blurred vision. Excessive tearing may occur.
      
      Sometimes corneal ulcer or corneal abrasions can occur in those who wear contacts. This happens when the eyes reject the lenses and/or have an allergy to them.

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2. 74

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   I used to wear contacts all the time.  From age 15 to 33, I had only one pair that I cleaned every night when I removed them.  After that, I had another couple of pairs up until a few years ago.  I wish I could still wear them!
   
   You would probably need to see an eye doctor to get them, even if they are non-prescription and for color only.  I don't know how else people get those.  And the eye doctor could tell you whether your eyes are suitable or not.  I think the main thing to watch is the kind of lenses.  Some people (like me) don't do well with the soft ones, but do well with the rigid lenses.  But I've not heard of other reasons to avoid them.

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      deweyduckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      you really  had one pair of contacts for 18 years?!

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3. 74

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   Marisa, I'm glad you mentioned the infection possibility.  When I wrote that I hadn't heard of other reasons to avoid them, I was thinking only of the initial prescription rather than the day-to-day care.  But that (daily care) is by far the more important aspect of wearing them and of whether a person is a suitable candidate.  I too had an eye infection once, and I actually did think I might go blind.  It was some of the worst pain I can remember ever having in my life, including giving birth.

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   Polly Cposted 14 years ago

   I have been wearing contact lenses daily for 17 years, and for about 16 hours per day.  I have never had any problems at all (other than losing them sometimes!) I have never had any infections at all. I use the soft monthly ones and take them out each night, but my partner wears monthly ones which you keeo in for a whole month, day and night, before changing.

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5. 60

   PaperNotesposted 14 years ago

   Thanks all the helpful replies! I'll speak to my optometrist the next time I go in for a check up as well and see.
   
   I haven't seen the lens that you can wear for a month, mainly only the ones that recommend wearing them no more than 8 hours. I am assuming those are fashion lens rather than prescription lens.
   
   I guess I'll need to balance out where I would want to risk an eye infection over it. Probably not...
   
   Thanks again!!!

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   hetcher16posted 8 years ago

   Contact lenses are wonderful. No glasses to carry around and the ability to wear the most stylish shades are just a couple of the advantages. But they can also present a serious problem if used improperly.

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