Do I need to be fit for colored contact lenses even if I don’t need a prescription?
Legally, this varies per country. In the United States, all contact lenses are considered a medical device and therefore do require a fitting by a qualified professional.
A few things to keep in mind, if you don’t know where your lenses came from, how do you know they are safe? Let’s say Flea Market Joe sold you a pair of cat eye lenses. Who is to say he didn’t wear them last night and just sold them to you? Pretty gross….
That is just a word about buying from reputable sources.
Second, if the lenses don’t fit you properly, they can potentially do serious damage to your eyes. Most common are corneal ulcers. Yes, corneal ulcers can lead to vision loss. Other complications that have serious consequences are GPC (giant papillary conjunctivitis), corneal abrasions, and neovascularization to name a few. (none of these complications are pretty but they are easily avoidable)
Third, if you are wearing a cosmetic or theatrical lens that does not fit you properly, you may not be able to see. When a lens does not fit, it may not center. Lenses that have opaque colors can block you pupil opening, disrupting vision.
Visiting an eye care professional for a simple fitting is very easy. Simply call and tell them you are interested in colored, theatrical, or whatever the type of contact lens you are looking for. They will either schedule you an appointment or refer you to someone who does that type of fitting.
Theatrical lens fittings are fun because the options are endless. Some labs will even custom paint a lens with your own design.
If you are interested in colored or theatrical lenses, definitely get them fit properly. Remember we are talking about your eyes. If you are fortunate enough to have two that function properly, don’t jeopardize them by doing something silly.
