--- title: Improper Use of Contact Lenses Can Cause Serious Infections description: The CDC warned of the dangers of improperly using contact lenses, which they say can lead to serious eye infections and long-lasting damage. canonical: https://time.com/4459189/contact-lenses-cdc-infection/ author: Melissa Chan article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-08-19T15:32:22.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-03-31T10:03:00.544Z article:section: Health og:title: Contact Lenses Can Cause Serious Harm if Used Improperly og:description: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention og:url: https://time.com/4459189/contact-lenses-cdc-infection/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt33231ea40af56078/6988a2f897cdff75916ad80c/contact-lens-cdc-dangers.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Close-up of woman putting in contact lens og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Contact Lenses Can Cause Serious Harm if Used Improperly twitter:description: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt33231ea40af56078/6988a2f897cdff75916ad80c/contact-lens-cdc-dangers.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Contact Lenses Can Cause Serious Harm if Used Improperly, CDC Warns  by [Melissa Chan](https://time.com/author/melissa-chan/)  ## Melissa Chan Aug 19, 2016 3:32 PM UTC  Klaus Vedfelt—Getty Images  by [Melissa Chan](https://time.com/author/melissa-chan/)  ## Melissa Chan Aug 19, 2016 3:32 PM UTC Federal health officials on Thursday warned the[ improper use of contact lenses](http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0818-contact-lenses.html) can lead to serious eye infections and long-term damage. Nearly one in five contact lens-related eye infections reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the last decade resulted in eye damage, according to a [new report](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6532a2.htm?s%5Fcid=mm6532a2%5Fw) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report reviewed 1,075 reported contact lens-related infections between 2005 and 2015\. The patients in those injuries said they either had a scarred cornea, needed a corneal transplant or suffered a reduction in vision. In more than 10 percent of the reports, patients sought emergency care, the CDC said. **Read More:** [**_3 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Contact Lenses_**](http://time.com/3916165/contact-lenses-mistakes/) “Contact lenses are a safe and effective form of vision correction when worn and cared for as recommended,” Michael Beach, director of CDC’s Healthy Water Program, said in a statement. “However, improper wear and care of contact lenses can cause eye infections that sometimes lead to serious, long-term damage.” About 41 million people in the U.S. [wear contact lenses](http://time.com/4266427/contact-lenses-bacteria/), federal health officials said. The CDC said contact lens users should not sleep in contact lenses, always use fresh contact lens solution, and replace lenses often. 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