{"id":27975,"date":"2026-08-14T10:11:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T08:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/?p=27975"},"modified":"2026-08-21T12:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T10:08:10","slug":"risks-associated-with-wearing-contact-lenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/risks-associated-with-wearing-contact-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Risks associated with wearing contact lenses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"27975\" class=\"elementor elementor-27975 elementor-27749\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-533421f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"533421f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6ade2f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d6ade2f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e3b206 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2e3b206\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Risks associated with wearing contact lenses<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d87809d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d87809d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Written by <a href=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/eye-doctor-javier-cabrerizo\/\">Javier Cabrerizo<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66b6abe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"66b6abe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c24b266 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c24b266\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Quick answers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e320450 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e320450\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Are contact lenses dangerous?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-352c0f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"352c0f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Contact lenses are safe for most people when used correctly, but they can increase the risk of dry eyes, corneal damage and infections.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3e88cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d3e88cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can you sleep with your contact lenses?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dcc944 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1dcc944\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\">As a general rule, you shouldn\u2019t. Sleeping in contact lenses significantly increases the risk of serious corneal infections.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-210090d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"210090d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is Acanthamoeba keratitis?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25bcf8c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25bcf8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\">It is a rare but serious infection of the cornea, which is particularly associated with contact lens use. In severe cases, it can lead to permanent loss of vision.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8f1e5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e8f1e5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Which contact lenses are the safest?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ce5440 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ce5440\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\">If contact lenses are the right choice, daily disposable lenses generally carry a lower risk of infection than reusable lenses.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-960dddf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"960dddf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can contact lenses cause dry eyes?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-783bc89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"783bc89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1924\">Yes. Contact lenses can affect the tear film and increase evaporation, which can lead to dryness, irritation and reduced comfort.<\/p><h3 data-section-id=\"15407wb\" data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"1980\"> <\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d88c2ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d88c2ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What if I can no longer tolerate contact lenses?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13489e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"13489e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\">Glasses are one option, and for suitable patients, vision-correcting treatments such as Aqua PRK, ICL or RLE may be other options.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81173b9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"81173b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b14d25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b14d25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At the Copenhagen Eye Institute, we view contact lenses for what they are: a truly useful visual aid for many people \u2014 and a medical device that carries real, well-documented risks when worn beyond the limits that your eyes can tolerate.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61f6929 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"61f6929\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dea711b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dea711b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">It usually starts with dry eyes<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3b24e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3b24e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The most common reason why people stop wearing contact lenses is not infection \u2014 it is dryness. A lens rests directly on the tear film on the surface of the cornea and disrupts it after several hours of wear: it absorbs moisture, thins the tear film and increases evaporation. Dryness is consistently cited in the ophthalmological literature as the main reason why people stop wearing contact lenses. For most people, this manifests as a mild, temporary irritation towards the end of the day. But dryness is not just a matter of comfort \u2014 a compromised tear film and ocular surface also make the cornea more vulnerable to everything that follows: micro-scratches, breakdown of the epithelium and, ultimately, a gateway for microorganisms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef5bd19 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ef5bd19\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5df192 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b5df192\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7705ce3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7705ce3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From irritation to infection: what the figures actually show<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b3ed0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b3ed0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>Wearing contact lenses is the single greatest risk factor for microbial keratitis \u2014 an infection of the cornea \u2014 that you can influence yourself. The risk is low in absolute terms, but it is not negligible, and it increases significantly depending on how the lenses are worn:<\/div><ul><li>For soft disposable contact lenses worn correctly, the annual incidence of microbial keratitis is around 2 per 10,000 wearers.<\/li><li>For reusable soft contact lenses intended for daily wear (e.g. monthly lenses that are removed at night), the incidence roughly doubles.<\/li><li>When worn at night or for longer periods, the incidence rises to approximately 10\u201315 times that of daytime-only wear \u2014 mainly because sleeping with lenses in deprives the cornea of oxygen and prevents the tear exchange that normally washes away bacteria.<\/li><\/ul><div><p>These are population averages from large case-control studies carried out in Europe and Australia. The microorganisms involved also vary depending on usage patterns: infections associated with daily use are typically caused by slower-growing staphylococci, whilst prolonged use or overnight use is disproportionately associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa \u2014 a fast-growing pathogen that can potentially threaten eyesight.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3db729 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d3db729\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nathan-dumlao-Xi_dFX7oxkk-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25852\" alt=\"mand holder sit \u00f8je for som symboliserer livet med brille og linser\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nathan-dumlao-Xi_dFX7oxkk-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nathan-dumlao-Xi_dFX7oxkk-unsplash-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nathan-dumlao-Xi_dFX7oxkk-unsplash-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nathan-dumlao-Xi_dFX7oxkk-unsplash-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nathan-dumlao-Xi_dFX7oxkk-unsplash-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf20efa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf20efa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2270ce9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2270ce9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Acanthamoeba keratitis: rare, but one of the most feared complications in our field<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53ed882 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53ed882\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><p>If there is one infection that keeps cornea specialists awake at night, it is Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) \u2014 a parasitic infection that is difficult to diagnose, painful to an extent that is out of proportion to the clinical signs, and notoriously resistant to treatment. Acanthamoeba is by no means an exotic organism. It is found everywhere \u2014 in tap water, showers, swimming pools and soil \u2014 and most of us have antibodies against it. What makes wearing contact lenses dangerous is that a lens can trap the organism against the cornea, giving it time to invade a compromised epithelium. The figures give pause for thought regarding a condition that many patients have never even heard of:<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Contact lens use accounts for up to 93 per cent of AK cases in the developed world (StatPearls \/ NCBI clinical review).<\/span><\/li><li>A nationwide Dutch surveillance study (2009\u20132015) showed that the incidence among soft contact lens wearers had risen to approximately 1 in 21,000 per year, and that the number of cases had tripled over the study period.<\/li><li>Reusable lenses carry approximately three to four times the risk of AK as disposable lenses (Carnt et al., case-control study, Ophthalmology), and the overall risk of AK is estimated to be around 20 times higher among contact lens wearers than in the general population.<\/li><li>In the same Dutch cohort, 39 per cent of patients experienced treatment failure \u2013 meaning significant, permanent vision loss and\/or the need for a corneal transplant.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><p>This is a rare condition. But \u2018rare\u2019 is not the same as \u2018irrelevant\u2019 when the consequence is an infection that can lead to blindness in an otherwise healthy, young eye \u2014 and the age group most frequently affected is 20\u201340 years, precisely the section of the population most likely to wear contact lenses purely for reasons of convenience.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67b3c49 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"67b3c49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-243aac9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"243aac9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When contact lenses end up on the operating table for the wrong reasons<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-871e203 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"871e203\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) is one of the most effective treatments in the entire field of ophthalmology \u2014 but it is a major operation that carries lifelong risks of graft rejection, wound dehiscence and the need for further surgery. In specific case series on Acanthamoeba keratitis, approximately 1 in 5 affected eyes ultimately required a penetrating keratoplasty. Comparative data on complications requiring corneal transplantation also suggest that visual outcomes following infection-related complications associated with contact lenses are, on average, significantly poorer than those following complications from laser surgery. We are not saying this to frighten our patients, but because it is the honest clinical picture: in a small but real number of cases, an optional corrective aid can trigger a chain of events that culminates in a corneal transplant \u2014 something that has essentially never occurred following a well-chosen refractive treatment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-287ff19 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"287ff19\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb30167 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bb30167\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a85f83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a85f83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Practical advice that we give to our own patients<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c01afe0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c01afe0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Daily wear time: Most manufacturers\u2019 instructions and the clinical consensus state that safe daily wear is within the range of 8\u201312 hours, although individual adjustments may be made by your optician or optometrist based on the lens material and the condition of your ocular surface. Lenses with lower oxygen permeability (older hydrogel lenses) should generally be limited to the lower end of this range.<\/li><li>Chronic dry eyes are a relative \u2013 and sometimes absolute \u2013 contraindication. If you already have a compromised tear film, wearing lenses increases both discomfort and the risk of infection. This should be assessed and must not simply be assumed to be absent.<\/li><li>Never sleep in your contact lenses unless they are specifically designed and prescribed for extended wear under close supervision.<\/li><li>If a contact lens is not designed for single use, you must never reuse it beyond the prescribed replacement period, and you must never top up or reuse lens solution.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e806c3c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e806c3c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cph-Eye-Clinic_warm-30_long-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25892\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cph-Eye-Clinic_warm-30_long-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cph-Eye-Clinic_warm-30_long-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cph-Eye-Clinic_warm-30_long-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cph-Eye-Clinic_warm-30_long-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cph-Eye-Clinic_warm-30_long-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51e0e16 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"51e0e16\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e8fb93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e8fb93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Not all contact lenses pose the same risk<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5de311d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5de311d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><p>If contact lenses are the right choice for you, the type of lenses is crucial:<\/p><ul><li>Soft, disposable daily wear contact lenses are the preferred choice if you wear contact lenses at all. As a fresh, sterile lens is used only once and then discarded, this prevents biofilm formation, contamination of the case and hygiene issues associated with reuse \u2013 factors which account for a large part of the increased risk seen with reusable lens types.<\/li><li>Newer silicone hydrogel materials allow approximately five times more oxygen to reach the cornea than older hydrogel lenses (Dk values now regularly exceed 100 barrers), which significantly reduces oxygen-deficiency-related complications such as corneal neovascularisation. This is a genuine and welcome advance. However, it is important to be precise about what it does and does not do: large-scale case-control data show that silicone hydrogel material in itself has not been shown to significantly reduce the overall risk of microbial keratitis compared with conventional soft lenses \u2014 better oxygen supply is not the same as eliminating the risk of infection, and some silicone hydrogel materials are more prone to lipid deposition and reduced wetting ability, which in itself can cause dryness and intolerance.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><div>In short: no material, however advanced it may be, alters the fundamental fact that a contact lens is a foreign body worn against living, oxygen-dependent tissue for many hours a day.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26643e3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26643e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a94793e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a94793e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are the alternatives?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d61864d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d61864d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>For patients who show signs of intolerance \u2014 recurrent redness, discomfort lasting longer than the first hour after insertion, dependence on moisturising drops or a previous history of corneal infiltrates \u2014 it is a good idea to have an honest discussion about alternatives before \u2014 rather than after \u2014 a serious complication arises:<\/div><ul><li>Spectacles remain the lowest-risk option for vision correction and carry virtually none of the infection risks mentioned above.<\/li><li>Refractive surgery \u2014 including Aqua PRK, implantable Collamer lenses (ICL) and refractive lens exchange (RLE) \u2014 can, in suitably selected patients, permanently reduce or completely eliminate dependence on contact lenses, thereby removing the daily risk of infection and oxygen deprivation rather than merely managing it.<\/li><\/ul><div><p>Every patient is different, and refractive surgery has its own selection criteria and risk profile, which should be assessed on a case-by-case basis by a cornea specialist or a specialist in refractive surgery. However, for patients who still need to wear contact lenses despite recurring signs of intolerance, it is entirely reasonable to request such a consultation. Our view: Contact lenses are a legitimate and valuable tool for many people, but wearing contact lenses is a medical decision involving real, measurable risks that deserve the same careful consideration as any other treatment. There is a wealth of scientific evidence suggesting that tolerance to contact lenses decreases with age. If your eyes are signalling that they are struggling, it is worth heeding that message and seeking a specialist\u2019s assessment.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f173d58 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f173d58\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3185470 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3185470\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">References<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c1ac7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5c1ac7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li>Dart JKG, Radford CF, Minassian D, Verma S, Stapleton F. Risk Factors for Microbial Keratitis with Contemporary Contact Lenses: A Case-Control Study. <i>Ophthalmology<\/i>. 2008;115:1647\u20131654.<\/li><li>Stapleton F, Keay L, Edwards K, et al. The Incidence of Contact Lens\u2013Related Microbial Keratitis in Australia. <i>Ophthalmology<\/i>. 2008;115:1655\u20131662.<\/li><li>Carnt N, et al. Acanthamoeba Keratitis Risk Factors for Daily Disposable and Reusable Contact Lens Users: A Case-Control Study. <i>Ophthalmology<\/i>. Summarized in American Academy of Ophthalmology, EyeNet, &#8220;Risk of Acanthamoeba Keratitis in Contact Lens Users,&#8221; 2023.<\/li><li>Verani JR, et al. \/ van Meer B et al. The Rising Incidence of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A 7-Year Nationwide Survey in the Netherlands. <i>Acta Ophthalmologica \/ associated cornea literature<\/i>, 2009\u20132015 cohort, PMC6731013.<\/li><li>Acanthamoeba Keratitis. <i>StatPearls<\/i>, NCBI Bookshelf, updated 2023.<\/li><li>Acanthamoeba Keratitis. <i>EyeWiki<\/i>, American Academy of Ophthalmology.<\/li><li>Evaluation of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Cases in a Tertiary Medical Care Centre Over 21 Years. PMC7806847.<\/li><li>Complications Leading to Keratoplasty Among Contact Lens Users and LASIK Patients: A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Analysis. PMC8380166.<\/li><li>Daily Disposable and Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses and Risk of Microbial Keratitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology, Editor&#8217;s Choice summary, 2013.<\/li><li>Young G. Why One in Four Contact Lens Wearers Doesn&#8217;t Achieve Optimum Vision: An Evaluation of Field Trial Data of Multifocal Contact Lenses. (Cited widely as the basis for dryness as the leading cause of contact lens discontinuation), 2011.<\/li><li>Manufacturer prescribing\/fitting guidance (Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1, Johnson &#038; Johnson 1-DAY ACUVUE TruEye) on maximum daily wearing schedules, accessed via published clinical trial protocols, <span draggable=\"true\"><a href=\"http:\/\/ClinicalTrials.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ClinicalTrials.gov<\/a><\/span>.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4eadbdc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4eadbdc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aefe3ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aefe3ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"message-list_1786513501.277129\" aria-setsize=\"-1\"><div aria-roledescription=\"message\"><em>This article is intended to provide general patient information and is not a substitute for an individual assessment by an ophthalmologist. If you experience pain, redness, sensitivity to light or a sudden change in your vision whilst wearing contact lenses, you should remove them immediately and seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist straight away.<\/em><\/div><\/div><div><div id=\"message-list_1786658400000.D07U9BRRDFF\" aria-setsize=\"-1\"> <\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<section class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58d6d1a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"58d6d1a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb1af20 elementor-cta--skin-cover elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"eb1af20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/oliver-sjostrom-m-qps7eYZl4-unsplash-scaled.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"mand surfer i vandet som illustrerer at man kan v\u00e6re aktiv efter aqua prk \u00f8jenlaseroperation\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBook a free pre-examination for laser eye surgery\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFor those under 45.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-\" href=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/bestil-tid-forundersoegelse-oejenlaseroperation\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBOOK AN APPOINTMENT\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a98bb57 elementor-cta--skin-cover elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"a98bb57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/oejenlaege-64.webp);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"person cykler p\u00e5 en vej ved siden af tr\u00e6er som symboliserer at man kan v\u00e6re aktiv uden briller efter en linseoperation\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBook a free pre-examination for lens surgery\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFor those aged 45 and over.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-\" href=\"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/bestil-tid-forundersoegelse-linseudskiftning\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBOOK AN APPOINTMENT\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Risks associated with wearing contact lenses Written by Javier Cabrerizo Quick answers Are contact lenses dangerous? Contact lenses are safe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-and-updates"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27975"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27982,"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27975\/revisions\/27982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpheyeinstitute.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}