7 Mistakes People Make With Colored Contacts

Navigating the world of colored contact lenses can be exciting, but it's crucial to understand the common colored contact mistakes people make to ensure both style and safety. Many users, especially first-timers, inadvertently overlook key safety precautions and best practices, which can lead to discomfort or even serious eye health issues. This guide will walk you through the top seven errors to avoid, helping you enjoy your vibrant new look responsibly. For more on this, see our guide to 8 Ways to Make Colored Contacts Last Longer.

1. Not Getting a Professional Eye Exam and Prescription

Perhaps the most significant of all colored contact mistakes is wearing lenses without a valid prescription. Colored contacts, just like clear ones, are medical devices regulated by health authorities. They are not one-size-fits-all. An eye care professional needs to measure your eye's curvature (base curve) and diameter, and assess your eye health to determine the correct fit and power.

Why a Prescription is Non-Negotiable:

• Proper Fit: Lenses that are too tight can restrict oxygen flow to your cornea, causing irritation, redness, and potentially infection. Lenses that are too loose can slide around, causing blurry vision and discomfort.
• Correct Power: Even if you don't need vision correction, your eyes must be evaluated for any underlying conditions that could make contact lens wear unsafe.
• Eye Health Assessment: An optometrist or ophthalmologist will check for conditions like dry eyes, allergies, or infections that could be exacerbated by contact lens use.

Always prioritize your eye health. Obtain a professional fitting and prescription before purchasing any colored contacts. MyEyeColors emphasizes the importance of a valid prescription to ensure our customers experience both comfort and safety with their lenses. Once you have your prescription, you can explore our wide range of options at browse our colored contacts.

2. Neglecting Essential Hygiene Practices

Poor hygiene is a leading cause of eye infections among contact lens wearers. It's easy to get complacent, but skipping steps or cutting corners with cleaning can have serious consequences. This is one of the most common colored contact mistakes that can lead to significant discomfort and health risks. If you're weighing options, our roundup of Best Colored Contacts for People Who Hate the Feeling is a good next read.

Key Hygiene Rules to Live By:

• Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a lint-free towel before touching your lenses or eyes.
• Use Fresh Solution: Never "top off" old solution in your lens case. Always discard old solution and use fresh, sterile contact lens solution every time you store your lenses.
• Clean Your Lens Case: Rinse your lens case with fresh solution, let it air dry upside down with the caps off, and replace it every 1-3 months.
• Rub and Rinse: Most solutions recommend a "rub and rinse" method. Place a lens in your palm, add a few drops of solution, and gently rub it with your finger for 10-20 seconds before rinsing thoroughly.
• Don't Use Tap Water or Saliva: Tap water contains microorganisms that can cause severe eye infections, and saliva is full of bacteria. These should never come into contact with your lenses.

Following these simple steps can drastically reduce your risk of infection and ensure your colored contacts remain comfortable and safe to wear.

3. Overwearing Your Lenses Beyond Recommended Schedule

Each pair of colored contact lenses is designed for a specific wear schedule – daily disposables, bi-weekly, or monthly. Wearing lenses longer than recommended is a significant colored contact mistake that can lead to serious complications.

The Dangers of Overwearing:

1. Reduced Oxygen Permeability: Over time, contact lenses accumulate protein, lipid, and calcium deposits from your tears. These deposits can reduce the lens's ability to allow oxygen to reach your cornea, potentially leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen).
2. Increased Risk of Infection: Deposits on the lens surface also create a breeding ground for bacteria and make the lens less comfortable.
3. Corneal Damage: Chronic oxygen deprivation can lead to corneal swelling, blood vessel growth into the cornea (neovascularization), and increased susceptibility to ulcers.
4. Discomfort and Dryness: Lenses worn past their prime often feel dry, gritty, and uncomfortable.

Always adhere strictly to the replacement schedule prescribed by your eye care professional and recommended by the lens manufacturer. If you use MyEyeColors lenses, pay attention to the specific wear duration stated for each product to ensure optimal eye health. You might also like our take on Best Colored Contacts to Make Brown Eyes Pop.

4. Sleeping in Your Colored Contacts

Unless specifically prescribed by your eye doctor as extended wear lenses (which are rare for colored contacts), sleeping in your lenses is one of the most dangerous colored contact mistakes you can make. Your cornea needs oxygen, and closing your eyelids already reduces oxygen flow. A contact lens further restricts this, especially during sleep.

Why You Should Never Sleep in Lenses (Unless Approved):

• Severe Oxygen Deprivation: This significantly increases the risk of corneal swelling, inflammation, and potential infection.
• Increased Risk of Infection: Bacteria can thrive in the warm, moist environment under a lens that's been in for too long, leading to potentially sight-threatening infections like microbial keratitis.
• Lens Adherence: Lenses can stick to your eye, making them difficult and painful to remove in the morning, and potentially causing corneal abrasions.

Always remove your colored contacts before sleeping, even if it's just for a short nap. Give your eyes a break and allow them to breathe freely.

5. Sharing Your Colored Contact Lenses

It might seem like a harmless way to try out a new look with a friend, but sharing colored contacts is an absolute no-go and a critical colored contact mistake. Each person's eyes have a unique microbial flora, and sharing lenses can transfer bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from one person's eye to another.

The Dangers of Sharing:

• Cross-Contamination: You could easily spread infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye), herpes simplex virus, or more severe bacterial infections.
• Improper Fit: Lenses are fitted to a specific individual. A shared lens will almost certainly not fit the second person properly, leading to discomfort and potential corneal damage.

Your eyes are precious. Never, under any circumstances, share colored contact lenses with anyone. If you're looking for a new style, browse MyEyeColors' extensive collection and find a pair that's just for you, backed by a proper prescription. We break this down further in Can People Tell If You're Wearing Colored Contacts.

6. Purchasing Lenses from Unregulated Sources

The allure of cheap or novelty colored contacts from unregulated sources like costume shops, beauty supply stores, or unauthorized online retailers is strong, but it's one of the riskiest colored contact mistakes. These lenses often don't meet safety standards, may be made from inferior materials, or lack proper quality control.

Risks of Unregulated Lenses:

• Improper Fit and Material: Lenses might not be sterile, could be incorrectly sized, or made from materials that don't allow sufficient oxygen, leading to irritation, abrasions, or infection.
• No Prescription Required: Reputable retailers will always require a valid prescription. Those that don't are bypassing medical regulations and putting your eye health at risk.
• Counterfeit Products: You might receive a product that is not what it claims to be, potentially containing harmful dyes or contaminants.

Always purchase your colored contacts from reputable, authorized retailers that require a valid prescription, like MyEyeColors. We prioritize your safety and provide high-quality, medically approved lenses that meet stringent health standards. Visit MyEyeColors at browse our colored contacts for safe and stylish options.

7. Ignoring Discomfort, Redness, or Vision Changes

Your eyes are excellent at signaling when something is wrong. Ignoring these warning signs is a dangerous colored contact mistake that can turn a minor issue into a major problem. If you experience any unusual symptoms, take them seriously. It pairs well with what we cover in Colored Contact Lens Care Mistakes to Avoid.

When to Seek Immediate Professional Help:

• Persistent Redness: If your eyes remain red after removing your lenses, or if the redness worsens.
• Pain or Discomfort: Any persistent pain, burning, stinging, or foreign body sensation that doesn't resolve upon lens removal.
• Blurry Vision: Sudden or worsening blurriness, or vision changes that don't improve with blinking.
• Excessive Tearing or Discharge: Unusual or increased tearing, or any discharge (pus, mucus).
• Light Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).

If you experience any of these symptoms, remove your lenses immediately and contact your eye care professional. Do not try to "tough it out" or self-diagnose. Prompt medical attention can prevent serious complications and protect your vision.

Key Takeaways

• Always get a professional eye exam and a valid prescription for colored contacts, even if you don't need vision correction.
• Strictly adhere to hygiene practices: wash hands, use fresh solution, and clean your lens case regularly.
• Never wear lenses beyond their recommended replacement schedule or sleep in them unless specifically prescribed.
• Avoid sharing lenses with anyone to prevent cross-contamination and improper fit.
• Purchase colored contacts only from reputable, authorized sources like MyEyeColors that require a prescription.
• Do not ignore discomfort, redness, or vision changes; seek immediate professional help if symptoms arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear colored contacts if I have astigmatism?

Yes, many colored contact lens brands, including some available at MyEyeColors, now offer options for people with astigmatism. However, these are specialized toric lenses and require an accurate prescription from your eye care professional to ensure proper fit and vision correction.

How long can I wear my colored contacts each day?

The maximum daily wear time for colored contacts typically ranges from 8 to 12 hours, but this can vary depending on the specific lens type, material, and your individual eye health. Always follow the recommendations of your eye care professional and the lens manufacturer.

What should I do if my eye feels irritated after putting in a colored contact?

If your eye feels irritated, immediately remove the lens. Inspect the lens for any tears, debris, or inside-out orientation. Rinse it thoroughly with fresh, sterile contact lens solution, and then reinsert. If irritation persists, remove the lens again and switch to a fresh pair (if you have daily disposables) or consult your eye care professional.

Is it safe to swim with colored contacts?

It is generally not recommended to swim with contact lenses, including colored contacts, in pools, lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Water can harbor harmful microorganisms that can get trapped under your lenses and lead to severe eye infections. If you must swim, consider using daily disposable lenses and wearing tight-fitting goggles, disposing of the lenses immediately after swimming.

How often should I get my eyes checked if I wear colored contacts?

It is recommended to have annual eye examinations, especially if you wear contact lenses. Your eye care professional will check your prescription, assess your eye health, and ensure your contact lenses are still a good fit for your eyes.