A recent pilot study by Chinese researchers has warned that contact lenses exposed to sunlight may shed microscopic fragments of plastic into the wearer’s eyes, potentially causing health problems. The study, led by environmental health expert Professor Bing Wu of Nanjing University, found that after 90 days of simulated wear-and-tear, larger quantities of microplastics were shed from lenses designed to be worn for shorter periods of time. The study highlights the importance of following manufacturer instructions and replacing contacts on the recommended schedule. An estimated 45 million people across the US wear contact lenses. The full findings of the study were published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.