Can you wear colored contact lenses if you have conjunctivitis?
Disease description:
Go to the hospital for diagnosis and confirmation of conjunctivitis. However, if you need to wear contact lenses, can you still wear colored (cosmetic) contact lenses?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen You
Conjunctivitis is a localized inflammation. At this stage, the conjunctival tissue is affected, leading to symptoms such as congestion or abnormally increased secretion. Occasionally, conjunctival follicles may develop. Wearing cosmetic contact lenses is prohibited during this phase. Cosmetic contact lenses directly touch the cornea and conjunctiva. Even in normal conditions without conjunctivitis, prolonged or improper use can easily lead to local infections. If cosmetic contact lenses are worn during conjunctivitis, the symptoms will worsen and the condition may recur repeatedly. Therefore, wearing cosmetic contact lenses is strictly prohibited during the recovery period of conjunctivitis. Appropriate medication should be selected based on the specific cause to treat the conjunctivitis properly. Only after the conjunctivitis has fully resolved for 1–2 weeks should one consider resuming the use of cosmetic contact lenses. However, from an ophthalmologist's perspective, long-term use of cosmetic contact lenses is not recommended, as it can only cause harm to the eyes.
