Updated: January 16, 2026
No, you should never share contact lenses. Sharing lenses can transfer germs and increase the risk of serious eye infections and inflammation. Contacts are also prescribed medical devices, so another person’s lenses may not fit your eyes safely even if the prescription power seems similar.
Do and Don’t:
- Don’t share contact lenses, lens cases, solution, or lens tools, even once, even with family members.
- Do use only lenses prescribed for your eyes, including decorative or colored contacts.
- Do wash and dry your hands before handling lenses and follow your cleaning and replacement schedule exactly.
- Don’t “try on” someone else’s lenses for a special event, since even short wear can cause irritation, scratches, or infection.
- Remove lenses and seek prompt eye care for pain, increasing redness, light sensitivity, discharge, or sudden blurry vision.
Contact lenses should always be treated as personal medical devices, so sharing them is unsafe and can lead to preventable eye problems.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
References:
Decorative Contact Lenses for Halloween and More. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/decorative-contact-lenses-halloween-and-more. Published October 22, 2024.
Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/contact-lenses/prevention/index.html. Updated May 27, 2025.
Contact Lens Risks. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/contact-lenses/contact-lens-risks. Content current as of September 4, 2018.
