Popular contact lenses may contain toxic ‘eternal chemicals’, new study finds
New research has revealed that various types of soft contact lenses in the United States may contain toxic “eternal chemicals”.
That’s according to a recent consumer study conducted by Mamavation – an “eco-wellness product survey community” powered by a California mother – in partnership with Environmental Health News, an environmental health publication. Environmental Health Sciences, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
For the study, 18 sets of popular soft contact lenses were sent to an EPA-certified laboratory to check for indications of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, they are also known as “eternal chemicals” because they do not break down in the body or in the environment.
According to the study, the 18 lenses came back with different levels of organic fluorine, a marker of PFAS.
New research has found that several varieties of soft contact lenses in the United States may contain toxic “forever chemicals.” (Stock)
Brands such as Acuvue, Alcon and CooperVision have all been found to have varying levels of PFAS, according to research.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Johnson & Johnson (maker of Acuvue lenses), Alcon and CooperVision for comment on the new study’s results.
Forty-four percent of the contact lenses tested in the study contained more than 4,000 parts per million (ppm) of organic fluoride, which equates to eight out of 18 products.
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PFAS are most often used in products as stain, oil and water resistant chemicals, Mamavation reported.
The results of the study indicate that PFAS are considered “persistent and toxic”, with the potential to last for “decades” in the human body.
Forty-four percent of contact lenses tested contained more than 4,000 parts per million (ppm) of organic fluoride, the equivalent of eight out of 18 products. (Stock)
Exposure to PFAS could lead to decreased immunity, increased cholesterol levels, metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, decreased fertility in males and females, risk increased kidney and testicular cancers and other side effects, according to Mamavation.
“Reducing the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and personal care products such as eye contact is imperative,” Mamavation wrote on its website.
“I haven’t found that people who wear contact lenses are more affected by eye disease than those who don’t.”
Chief scientist of environmental health sciences Pete Myers told Mamavation that to assume that this level of organic fluoride in contact lenses is safe is “laughable.”
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“Last summer, the EPA issued alcohol health advisories for four common PFASs, ranging from 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) to 2000 ppt,” he said, citing an example. .
“The EPA considers exposure below these thresholds safe for drinking water.”
“Reducing the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and personal care products such as eye contact is imperative,” Mamavation wrote on its website. (Stock)
“Comparing consumption levels in water to concentrations in contact lenses is like comparing apples to oranges,” he said.
“It should be noted that all contact lenses tested exceeded 100 ppm, which equates to 100,000,000 ppt, or 50,000 times more than the highest level deemed safe in drinking water by the EPA,” said he also said.
“Comparing water intake levels in water to concentrations in contact lenses is like comparing apples to oranges.”
However, holistic optometrist Dr. Marc Grossman wasn’t as concerned about the PFAS content of the contacts.
In an email to Fox News Digital, New York-based Grossman said recent studies have shown PFAS to be common compounds found in a variety of products consumers use daily.
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“Because each lens manufacturer uses different materials, it’s not clear from these studies whether there are contact lenses that contain fewer chemicals than others,” he said.
“In 43 years of practice, I have not found that people who wear contact lenses are more affected by eye disease than those who don’t,” Grossman added.
A holistic optometrist was not as concerned about the PFAS content of contact lenses. (Stock)
Grossman added that although contact lenses come into direct contact with the eye, there is no evidence that they directly cause any health problems or eye diseases.
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“Wearing contact lenses is a personal choice,” he continued.
“Not wearing them creates less direct exposure to the chemicals that make up contact lenses.”
Contact lens wearers should practice good hygiene to avoid eye infections.
For contact lens wearers who are worried about chemical exposure, Grossman suggested doing a detox by placing castor oil compresses on the skin above the liver or using herbs. like milk thistle or dandelion.
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“For those with chemical or EMF (electromagnetic field) sensitivities, they will want to make the decision to wear contacts carefully,” he said.
The eye is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body – and researchers have suggested that contact wearers practice good hygiene to avoid eye infections such as washing hands, removing contact lenses when sleeping and never reuse eye contact solution, as Fox17 also noted of the new study.
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