The Appeal and Dangers of Circle Contact Lenses

When an eye exam reveals that a person requires glasses, one option that many people choose is contact lenses. A new type of contact lens that was inspired by Lady Gaga, circle contact lenses, has become the hype lately. Circle contact lenses, which originated in South Korea, are different from traditional lenses because they made they eyes appear larger, which brings less emphasis to the nose, making it appear smaller. Unfortunately, these types of contact lenses aren't available in the U.S. because they haven't been FDA approved. Despite the fact that circle contact lenses haven't been FDA approved in the United States, there are many websites offers these types of lenses without a prescription, allowing anyone to purchase a pair for about $20, and sometimes even less. The question is, should you buy some?

What's so appealing about these contact lenses? Circle contact lenses, which are becoming increasingly more popular in the United States, are so sought after because they make the eyes appear larger and more circler, creating an attractive, doe-eyed look. Women in Asian countries wear them frequently in order to achieve a certain look that many feel is more attractive. Lady Gaga, a popular musician, wore a pair of circle contact lenses in one of her recent music videos, which ignited all the hype here in the United States. Many girls and women describe wearing the contact lenses as being similar to wearing mascara or eyeliner. This larger, more circler look is achieved by making the iris appear larger which creates the attractive look that many women are seeking.

Why are they so dangerous? Circle contact lenses are dangerous, according to experts, because wearing them can scratch the cornea of the eye and result in eye infections severe enough to cause loss of vision, with some wearers going blind within a mere 24 hours of contracting an infection.

Is wearing these lenses worth the risk? Since these contact lenses are illegal in the U.S. and haven't been FDA approved, it's best to avoid them and not take any risks. Perhaps in the future they'll be made in a safer manner that will not jeopardize your vision. However, if you insist on wearing them despite warnings, it's imperative that you visit your eye doctor for regular eye exams to ensure that your eyes haven't become infected or injured in anyway because of the lenses. It also might be a good idea not to wear the lenses on a daily basis, and only on special occasions and when you're going partying or on a date.

References

New York Daily News Article -http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/07/07/2010-07-07_girls_clamor_for_circle_contact_lenses_inspired_by_lady_gaga_but_theyre_risky_an.html

ABC News Contact Lens Article - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ConsumerNews/circle-lenses-dangerous-docs/story?id=11093873