Soft contacts have PFAs? What should I do next?

[Siddaarth_R]

Hey!

I don't want to waste any of your guys's time so I'll just jump right in. I've been wearing soft contacts for about 2 months so far and I came across this article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/09/contact-lenses-pfas-forever-chemicals, which basically states that some soft contact brands have PFAs in them, which are known to cause a range of diseases. This scares me. Can I even trust this study? Should I immediately stop wearing contacts? I know PFAs affect the body negatively, but is it the same case for the human eye? If any of you could answer these questions, I would be very grateful as I am in full panic mode right now.

Thanks sincerely for taking time out of your day to answer!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Don't panic. I read the article. It is alarmist. These types of contacts have been around for 50 years and no study has implicated the chemicals in them as causing systemic disease. The risks of contacts are mainly not wearing properly, not replacing on time, sleeping with daily in.  Suggest you just wear your glasses and call your contact lens fittyer on Monday for some reassurance.

[Siddaarth_R]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your answer! I don't want to go in for another appointment, but now that I know they won't harm me, I'm not so worried.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

okay, remember to wear your contact and replace them properly. with any pain, blurred vision or redness. stop using them and call the doctor that fit you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

okay, remember to wear your contact and replace them properly. with any pain, blurred vision or redness. stop using them and call the doctor that fit you.

[Ron_AKA]

I suspect this is being way overblown, but one thing you could do is switch to a lens that has lower amounts of the PFAs indications. I see that Alcon Total 1 is one of the very lowest. I tested a number of contacts a year ago or so and found the Total 1 to be one of the most comfortable for me. Only the CooperVision MyDay (Kirkland daily) was more comfortable, but it looks like it was not one of the ones tested.