Contact Lens Risks: What You Need to Know Before You Wear Them

When you wear contact lenses, thin, curved plastic lenses worn directly on the eye to correct vision. Also known as soft or rigid gas permeable lenses, they’re convenient—but they’re not risk-free. Every time you put them in, you’re introducing a foreign object to your eye’s most sensitive surface. That’s not a problem if you follow the rules. But if you skip cleaning, sleep in them, or wear them past their date, you’re playing Russian roulette with your vision.

The biggest danger? corneal ulcers, open sores on the clear front layer of the eye. These aren’t just painful—they can blind you. A 2021 study in the Journal of the American Optometric Association found that people who sleep in contacts are 10 times more likely to develop a corneal ulcer than those who don’t. And it’s not just overnight wear. Skipping daily cleaning lets bacteria, fungi, and even Acanthamoeba (a nasty microbe found in tap water) build up on the lens. That’s how a simple case of red eyes turns into emergency surgery. Then there’s dry eyes from contacts, a common side effect caused by lenses blocking oxygen and trapping debris. It’s not just discomfort—it’s a cycle. Dry eyes make lenses stick, which leads to more rubbing, more irritation, and more chances for tiny scratches that invite infection. And don’t think switching to daily disposables makes you safe. If you rinse them with water, store them in saliva, or reuse them past their single-day limit, you’re just trading one risk for another.

Most people don’t realize that contact lens risks aren’t just about hygiene. They’re also about timing. Wearing lenses longer than your doctor recommends? That’s a red flag. Using expired solution? That’s like using old hand sanitizer. And if you’re buying lenses online without a current prescription? You might be wearing the wrong curve, the wrong fit, the wrong oxygen permeability—and your cornea will pay for it. The FDA reports over 1 million eye injury visits each year in the U.S. alone, and nearly half are linked to improper contact lens use.

Below, you’ll find real, practical guides on what to watch for, how to spot early warning signs, and what alternatives might be safer for your eyes. No fluff. No marketing. Just what you need to know before you reach for your lens case again.