04/06/2026
1. “Contact lenses can get lost behind your eye”
Anatomically impossible: the conjunctiva forms a continuous barrier preventing anything from going behind the eye. A lens can fold and feel “lost” but it’s always retrievable.
2. “If they feel comfortable, they must be okay.”
Comfort does not always mean the lens is good for the eye.
A contact lens can feel fine but still be too tight, drying the eye or reducing oxygen and breathability or causing subtle changes that you may not notice.
That is why regular contact lens check ups matter.
3. “Contact lenses aren’t safe for kids”
Research consistently shows motivated children as young as 7-8 wear contacts safely.Their compliance and hygiene habits are sometimes even better than teenagers. And it helps improve their self-esteem, sporting ability and sense of self.
4. “You can sleep in contact lenses if you’re careful.”
Sleeping in lenses is one of the highest-risk habits, unless the lenses have specifically been prescribed for overnight wear. It dramatically increases the risk of microbial keratitis (a corneal infection that can cause permanent vision loss).
Even then, it requires regular appointments to monitor for any irregular changes.
5. “You can clean your contact lenses in tap water”
Tap water is not clean or sterile, in fact it has heaps of bacteria and pathogens (including Acanthamoeba, which causes a devastating corneal infection and excruciatingly painful). Always use fresh contact lens solution. Never top up. Empty, rinse, refill, every single time.
If you know someone who wears contact lenses — share this.
