Freaky looking contact lenses are one of the sillier forms of fashion to trend in the past decade.
Apparently, some fans are seeking the anime-esque look Lady Gaga sported in her “Bad Romance” video. But optometrists speaking to CNN warn that the look was CGI generated, and advise against the use of novelty lenses entirely. Concerns for future vision health haven’t quelled the demand for circle lenses or “circle contact lenses,” but a governing body of optometrists have spoken out against the trend:
The American Optometric Association warns that “consumers who purchase lenses without a prescription or without consultation from an eye doctor put themselves at risk of serious bacterial infection, or even significant damage to the eye’s ability to function, with the potential for irreversible sight loss.”
The American Optometric Association goes on to warn about the risks associated with circle contact lenses, and those include conjunctivitis (known colloquially as “pinkeye”), redness, swelling, corneal abrasion, contrast sensitivity and loss of sight. Should that list of horrors not deter you, circle contact lenses and other novelty lenses are widely available right here on the internet.
