Contact lenses: Fashion trend or health hazard for women?

In recent years, coloured contact lenses have surged in popularity, offering wearers the ability to alter their eye appearance with a simple insertion dramatically. From subtle enhancements to bold, unnatural hues, these cosmetic lenses have become a go-to accessory for fashion enthusiasts and those simply looking to change their look.

Disposable contact lenses are commonly used to treat near-sightedness, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. In addition, disposable contact lenses are clinically proven to support UV protection from blue light and drug eye conditions.

However, as the use of disposable contact lenses becomes more widespread, aside from treatment purposes, eye health professionals are raising alarm bells about the potential risks associated with these seemingly harmless fashion accessories.

The verdict is clear: the decision to use them should not be taken lightly. Its aesthetic benefits should be weighed against the possible health risks.

Dr Bade Ogundipe, a cornea surgeon and a consultant with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, said contact lenses should only be used through prescription and without compromising vision safety.

He stated that contact lenses are medical devices that require proper fitting and care, and complications from wearing those lenses range from mild eye irritation to corneal ulcers and permanent vision reduction.

“I’ve had the misfortune of removing two eyes in the last two years from students from tertiary institutions due to the wrong use of contact lenses. They came with a bad infection that had perforated their eyes,” he added.

In many countries, including Nigeria, consumers still obtain coloured lenses from beauty stores, flea markets, boutiques, convenience stores or unregulated online retailers.

In the early 80s, coloured contact lenses were rare, mostly seen in films or on stage, part of the costume transforming an actor’s look. But now coloured contact lenses have surged in popularity because they make the eyes look bigger and more doll-like, extending the coloured area beyond the natural iris and adding a black ring around the edge.

The decorative contact lenses also come in different forms; the sport designs like shamrocks, smiley faces, spider webs or the cat-eye or vampire-eye contact to perfectly match a costume, especially around Halloween.

Properly prescribed and fitted contact lenses can be safe. Contact lenses can be too tight, too loose, or irritating to one person and not another. Ideally, every contact wearer should be supervised on how it is worn, whether it is for daily wear or multiple wear.

Unapproved materials can result in damage or allergic reactions. Such problems can affect vision and even lead to blindness. Also, all contact lenses should have a clear expiration date.

Dr Ogundipe added, “I’ve heard of people using saliva to lubricate the contact lens, and at the end of the day, they end up having severe eye infections. It is not much different from a bite on the eye. The microorganisms in the mouth are meant to help make things that you eat to be digested fast. You can imagine you now digesting your cornea in the process.”

There are customized solutions made specifically for washing contact lenses before applying them. Once, eye health depends on doing it right. However, most people who are using it for cosmetic reasons don’t use these customized solutions to disinfect their lenses.

Also, there are risks involved when individuals borrow the contact lens of their roommate to wear. A contact lens is not something that should be shared because there could be transmission of infection from one person to another.

“I’m not completely advocating you shouldn’t look good or the way you want to look, but be careful, don’t do it at the detriment of your eye health,” he added.

Complications associated with disposable contact lenses include corneal neovascularization, corneal abrasions, and infectious keratitis. Corneal neovascularization, in which contact lenses reduce the transmission of the oxygen that the cornea receives from the eye surface, is known as hypoxia. It can lead to swelling of the cornea.

So, it increases blood vessel growth due to the shortage of oxygen transmission. This is called neovascularization. It resulted in the blood vessels growing into the eye centre, which might cause vision loss.

Corneal abrasion is one more severe disadvantages of contact lenses associated with poorly fitting contact lenses. During lens insertion and removal time, contact lenses can cause painful scratches, redness and potential infection of the cornea.

Infectious keratitis is the most serious complication experienced among contact lens users; it is a cornea infection known as a corneal ulcer, usually associated with overnight wear, sharing lenses, and poor hygiene practices. It is frequently associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus spp., and Acanthamoeba.

While fashion trends in contact lenses emphasize aesthetic appeal, the importance of proper prescription and care cannot be overstated. The rise in complications from cosmetic lenses underscores the need for regulated distribution and user education. Meanwhile, advancements in lens materials continue to enhance user experience, balancing fashion with functionality.

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