How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy When Wearing Colored Contacts

You might think you've got colored contact lenses all figured out—just store them in care solution and don't wear them to sleep, and then your eyes will be fine, right? Actually, it goes far deeper than that. Incorrect contact lens use, care, or storage can result in ocular inflammation, hypoxia, irritation, infection, and even vision problems. If these issues go untreated, your vision could be permanently impacted. We all have only one pair of eyes, so be proactive in keeping them healthy. Here, we've compiled some important tips to help preserve your eye health and avoid improper use of colored contact lenses.

• Wash your hands often.

It’s never a bad idea to wash your hands before wearing and removing colored contacts. This will help keep the lenses free of unwelcome particles from your hands, like skin oils, dust, and harmful bacteria. Even if you’re already diligent about washing up after using the restroom or touching anything unsanitary, it can’t hurt to be extra careful, especially if you touch or rub your eyes a lot.

• Keep your lenses moist and clean.

Nothing is as effective at cleaning your colored contacts as care solution. You might think that your lenses are clean enough in the lens case, which is filled with care solution. In fact, it’s safer to give your lenses an additional rinse before wearing them because this can ensure that the previous day’s bacteria have been washed away. Remember, never use tap water to clean your contacts as many water sources can contain bacteria that will be brought into your eyes by your lenses if you do.

• Remove your colored contacts when sleeping, showering, and swimming.

Sleeping with colored contacts will block your eyes from getting the oxygen they need. If the eyes become starved of oxygen, it is easy to cause corneal damage and even blindness in severe cases. In addition, all water is home to nasty bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It’s easy for bacteria and other nasty things to settle and flourish in your eyes when swimming or showering with your colored contacts on.  

• Switch to glasses around a dirty environment.

Bacteria aren’t the only thing that can get trapped by your lenses. If you’re in an environment where the air contains dust, aerosols, chemical fumes, perfumes, or other particles, you should wear glasses to protect your eyes from these and other volatile substances that can result in irritation or even blindness.

• Replace your lenses regularly.

There’s a reason that all of Unicoeye’s colored contact lenses display their replacement period right in the product name. Daily, monthly, and yearly lenses are all constructed slightly differently, with different levels of durability. Overworn colored contacts can be overly fragile or expose your eyes to excessive buildup of bacteria, so always follow the directions and replace them when necessary.

• Get your colored contacts from a reputable source.

Due to the fragility of the eye, substandard colored contact lenses can easily damage the cornea, causing infection and accompanying risk of vision loss. If you decide to get colored contact lenses, make sure they’re FDA-approved colored contact lenses. In Unicoeye, all lenses have FDA Registration Information, providing consumers with a reassuring purchasing experience.

• Listen to what your eyes are telling you.

Even if you’re following all of this advice and more, the most important thing when wearing colored contacts is to listen to your eyes. If you begin to experience symptoms of discomfort or irritation, it’s best to moisturize with some eyedrops and go with glasses for the rest of the day. Check in with yourself often, ask how your body feels, and always prioritize your eye health and safety over convenience and fashion.

Taking eye health as a top priority, Unicoeye is committed to providing high-quality colored contacts and giving you all the information you need to properly care for your eyes as well as your colored contact lenses. Read our other articles that cover

reasons your contacts might be affecting your vision,
how lens diameter plays an important role in maintaining your comfort,

the differences between daily, monthly, and yearly contacts.