Does having a lower prescription strength for colored contact lenses than one's actual myopia degree have any effect?

May 23, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am 20 years old and female. Recently, I purchased a pair of colored contact lenses, but I noticed that their prescription is lower than my actual myopia degree. After wearing them, I feel that my vision is somewhat blurry, and I wonder whether this situation might affect my eyes. Will wearing colored contact lenses with a lower prescription than my actual myopia degree cause any impact?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai

Wearing colored contact lenses with a lower prescription than one's actual myopia degree may affect vision and eye health. If the difference in prescription is significant, it can cause blurry vision, increase the accommodative burden on the eyes, and potentially lead to visual fatigue, headaches, or eye discomfort such as soreness and swelling. Long-term use of improperly prescribed colored contact lenses may also worsen myopia or affect the normal function of the eye muscles. Additionally, an incorrect prescription may alter the cornea's refractive condition, further compromising visual quality.

To protect eye health, it is recommended to undergo professional refraction testing before purchasing colored contact lenses to ensure the selected product matches your degree of myopia. If discomfort or symptoms have already appeared, discontinue use immediately and consult an ophthalmologist for an eye examination. When wearing colored contact lenses daily, it's important to maintain hygiene and avoid prolonged continuous use—daily wear time should not exceed 8 hours. Regularly replacing and cleaning the colored contact lenses can reduce the risk of infection. Regular vision checkups and timely adjustments to corrective measures according to any changes will help maintain good eye health.