Colored contact lenses may be a popular beauty accessory, but eye specialists are reminding the public that changing eye color for cosmetic purposes can come with serious health risks — including infections that may lead to permanent vision loss.

Unlike prescription lenses that are fitted by eye care professionals to correct vision problems, cosmetic lenses are often worn by people with perfectly healthy eyes. Experts say this means users take on the risks of contact lens wear without receiving any medical benefit.

“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,” said ophthalmologist Dr. Mary Ellen Sy.

More than just a fashion accessory

Contact lenses, even those prescribed by doctors, can lead to complications if not used properly. These include reduced oxygen supply to the cornea, corneal abrasions, chronic inflammation, dry eye and microbial keratitis — a severe infection caused by bacteria, fungi or amoeba.

According to Sy, cosmetic lenses may pose an even greater risk because the colored pigment makes them thicker than clear lenses, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the eye.

She also warned that many decorative contact lenses are sold through online marketplaces, novelty shops and fashion stores without proper regulation or professional fitting.

Without guidance from an eye care professional, users may not know how long they can safely wear the lenses, how to clean them properly or when to seek immediate medical attention.

A preventable risk

Eye specialists say they have treated otherwise healthy young people who developed severe corneal ulcers after wearing cosmetic lenses bought from unregulated sellers. In some cases, the damage became so severe that corneal transplantation was required.

“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,” Sy said.

The doctor urged contact lens users to seek immediate medical care if they experience persistent redness, eye pain, blurred vision, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, discharge or the feeling that something is stuck in the eye.

“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,” she warned.

Safety comes first

To reduce the risk of complications, experts recommend consulting an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist before wearing any contact lenses — even for cosmetic purposes. They also advise purchasing lenses only from reputable, regulated sources and following proper instructions for insertion, cleaning, storage and replacement.