20 Contact Lens Myths & Facts That You Thought You Knew

1. Contact lenses get lost behind the eye.

Contacts lost in eye is one of the most common fears that prevents people from trying out contacts but it is anatomically impossible for a contact lens to get lost behind your eye. 

2. Contact lenses will scratch my eye.

If your contact lenses have been prepared correctly, and you have inspected them for any signs of damage then they should not scratch your eye. If you are experiencing discomfort it could be a sign that your contact lens has debris on it or a tear to the surface.

3. It’s ok to rinse my contact lenses in water or saliva.

Contact lenses should never be cleaned in water or with saliva as both contain bacteria that may cause harm to your eyes. Only clean your contact lenses with a purpose-made contact lens solution.

4. Contact lenses can get stuck to your eye.

Contact lenses are unlikely to get stuck on your eye if they are kept correctly hydrated and you do not sleep while wearing your lenses. If your contact lenses have dried out and become difficult to remove then some eye drops should help to ease those contact lenses off your eye. Getting a contact lens stuck is a rare occurrence if they are being used correctly.

5. It’s ok to nap in contact lenses.

Sleeping in your contact lenses can cause them to become dry so make sure to take them out before you spend time napping or sleeping. Some contact lenses are designed to be worn while asleep so make sure to check your contact lenses or ask your optometrist.

6. I will get an eye infection if I buy contact lenses online.

As long as you buy from a reputable seller, you are no more likely to get an infection from lenses you buy online than lenses from your optician. Look for lenses that are FDA Approved and CE marked. Reputable companies will be able and willing to show certification. Plus make sure to prepare your lenses correctly to prevent any unwanted bacteria from entering your eye. For information about preparing your contact lenses for use, see our guide.

7. Contact lenses are always uncomfortable.

Contact lenses should not be uncomfortable. If you are experiencing discomfort, then remove your lenses, rinse them, and check that they are the correct orientation, inspect the lenses for any signs of damage and then re-insert them. If you continue to experience discomfort, visit your eye doctor for advice or try a new pair of contact lenses. Check out our Care Guide about Troubleshooting Lens Discomfort.

8. Astigmatism means I can’t wear contact lenses.

If you have astigmatism then you can wear contact lenses that are specifically designed for astigmatism. This is because you will need a cylinder and axis adjustment to correct your astigmatism and ensure that the lenses stay in your eye. Other lenses will only have base curve, diameter, and strength measurements. See our range of toric contact lenses for astigmatism, here.

9. Contact lenses will fall out of my eye.

If your contact lenses match your eye measurements then they should not fall out. If your contact lenses are falling out of your eye it could be a sign that the base curve or diameter is incorrect for you. If you are struggling to get the lenses to stay in your eye while inserting them, try adding a couple of drops of contact lens solution to the inside of the lens and hold it on your eye for a moment before letting go of the lenses. The moisture should help you to insert the lenses.

10. It’s ok to wear coloured contact lenses on top of my prescription contact lenses.

You should never stack any type of contact lenses. It is important for your eye safety and to allow breathability to only wear one lens in each eye. If you do need prescription contact lenses to see then you can buy prescription coloured contact lenses.

11. Coloured contacts’ colour will come off in my eye.

The pigment on coloured contact lenses is applied using a high quality process that ensures that the colour will not come off in your eye. This is one of the many reasons that it is important to buy your coloured contact lenses from a reputable seller and brand.

12. It’s ok to rehydrate dried out contact lenses.

If your contact lenses have dried out while in storage or while in your eye then it is time to throw them away and start fresh with a new pair. Rehydrating contact lenses can be very damaging to your eye.

13. It’s ok to wear contact lenses past their expiry or duration.

There’s a reason that contact lenses have an expiry date and a duration and it isn’t so that companies can make more money selling you extra pairs! Factors such as the water content of a contact lens will determine the durability of your contact lenses which is why some lenses can only be worn once while others can be stored and worn again. Make sure to follow these dates for your eye safety. For more information about contact lens durations, see our article.

14. It’s ok to shower in contact lenses.

Most contact lenses are not designed to be worn in the shower or in other types of water such as swimming pools. Getting water in your eye can introduce unwanted bacteria, therefore, increasing the chance of an eye infection. 

15. I’m too old to start wearing contact lenses.

There are some people who cannot wear contact lenses due to eye conditions but as long as you have had a contact lens fitting from your eye doctor, you can start wearing contact lenses. Many regular contact lenses are suitable for children as young as 8 to people in their 80s and beyond but our coloured contact lenses are suited to people over the age of 18. Adding colour to a lens can restrict peripheral vision which is one of many reasons it is best to wait until you are an adult to wear coloured contacts.

16. Cheap contact lenses are bad quality.

The true factor that will demonstrate the quality of your contact lenses is an FDA approval or CE mark. The price of the contact lenses is decided by the retailer, not the manufacturer. 

17. Contact lenses will dry out your eyes.

Soft contact lenses are designed using modern materials that are breathable and light, unlike the RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) contact lenses that used to be common. This means that there is only a thin layer over your eyes, allowing oxygen to still flow to your eye. However, if you naturally have dry eyes, then you may like to apply eye drops throughout the day as you normally would.

18. Contact lenses are difficult to insert.

With the right technique, you can insert your contact lens easily without touching your eyeball. For tips on how to insert your contact lenses, watch our video guide. Confidence, patience and practice will help you to overcome your worries about inserting contact lenses.

19. Contact lenses are difficult to maintain.

Contact lenses are easy to maintain and care for; all you need is a storage case and contact lens solution. Rinse your contact lenses with solution when you take them out, store them in fresh solution, regularly refresh the solution if you are storing your lenses for an extended period and they will be ready for your next use. See our full guide on caring for your contact lenses, here. If you don’t want the hassle of cleaning and storing your lenses then you can opt for daily disposable contact lenses.

20. Your eyes need a break from contact lenses.

Soft contact lenses can be worn for long periods of time due to the breathable properties but it is important to take out your lenses for certain activities such as swimming, showering and sleeping. Our coloured contact lenses are recommended for a maximum of 8 hours wear at a time. 

How many of these contact lens facts did you know? We hope you feel better equipped to safely wear contact lenses and correct those popular contact lens myths. For more advice on contact lens care and wear, visit our How To Guides.