If you’re one of the 33% of Canadians who wear contacts regularly, you probably know the feeling of relief that comes with taking out your contacts after a long day. But did you know that this feeling could be a sign that you’re wearing your contacts for too long?
Contacts offer vision correction with a freedom that eyeglasses can’t provide, but that doesn’t mean you can wear them 24/7. In fact, overwearing your contacts is one of the riskiest behaviours for wearers. But how long is too long? Keep reading to learn more about how long you can wear your contact lenses and what can happen if you overwear them.
Types of Contact Lenses
The amount of time you can wear contact lenses depends on the type of contacts you wear. Understanding the differences between the various types of contacts can help you choose the best kind for you, your vision needs, and your lifestyle.
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses are the most common type of contact lenses. They are made of soft, flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea, making them more comfortable and easier to adjust compared to other types of contacts.
These contacts are ideal for intermittent wear or people who participate in sports as they rarely fall out.
RGP contact lenses are more durable and longer-lasting than soft contact lenses. However, while they generally offer clearer vision, they take longer to get used to compared to other contacts.
Although they aren’t great for contact sports, RGP lenses are easier to take care of and can correct corneal astigmatism.
Specialty Contact Lenses
There are many types of specialty contact lenses available that can correct several eye issues. The most common types of specialty contact lenses include:
Most contact lenses are available in two options: daily wear contact lenses & extended wear contact lenses. How long you can wear your contacts depends on which option you choose.
Daily Wear Contact Lenses
Daily wear contact lenses are single-use lenses that are removed and discarded at the end of each day. They can be worn 14 to 16 hours a day, but it’s best to remove them when you don’t need to be wearing them.
Extended Wear Contact Lenses
Extended wear contact lenses are available for overnight or continuous wear for up to four weeks. Extended wear contact lenses are usually soft contact lenses but are also an option for RGP lenses.
The length of continuous wear depends on your eye care professional’s evaluation during a contact lens exam and fitting.
Can I wear My Contact Lenses Every Day?
No matter what type of contact lenses you opt to buy, you should be able to wear your contact lenses every day.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and you may not be able to wear your contacts every day if you are:
Experiencing eye redness, dryness, or irritation
Taking allergy eye drops or other incompatible medications
Having an allergic reaction to your contact lenses
Suffering from an infection such as pink eye
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, book an appointment with your optometrist. They will be able to identify any issues that may be causing you problems while wearing contacts and can recommend treatment options so you can get back to wearing your contact lenses daily.
What Can Happen if I Overwear My Contact Lenses?
Proper contact wear is important to keep your eyes and vision healthy. If you overwear your contacts, you may put yourself at risk of:
To ensure that you’re helping your vision and not hurting it, follow these tips:
Get a proper contact lens exam and fitting from an eye doctor
Don’t wear contact lenses overnight if you don’t have to
Don’t wear your contact lenses in the shower or while swimming
Follow a proper contact lens hygiene routine
Don’t reuse contact lens solution
Don’t use saline solution for contact lens cleaning
Replace your contact lens case every two to three months
Take out your contacts if they are bothering you
Never use saliva as a wetting agent
If you have any more questions about contact lens wear, don’t hesitate to contact us at the Calgary Optometry Centre. Our team is always happy to help!
You should be able to wear your contact lenses every day unless you have a temporary problem that prevents you from comfortably or safely wearing your lenses. For example, you should not wear contacts if you are: Experiencing eye redness or irritation.
Wearing contact every day can damage your eyes with incorrect use or improper handling. But contact lenses are typically considered safe and effective when worn as directed by your optometrist and according to manufacturer recommendations.
The truth is that you shouldn't reuse your daily contact lenses. They are specifically designed to be worn only once, and reusing them actually negates their benefits. By being worn only once, daily contacts protect your eyes from contaminants and help keep them comfortable.
“The FDA recommends that extended wear contact lenses be removed and not worn overnight at least once a week for overnight cleaning,” says Dr. Loft. “Overnight wear of contact lenses is the main risk factor for developing corneal ulcers.”
Contact wearers should take the lenses out for a full day once a week. Many choose a day on the weekend when they are not out in public. Removing the contacts for a full day gives the eyes time to rest. It also allows extra oxygen to reach the eyes during those 24 hours.
Overwearing contact lenses will cause the cornea to swell or develop edema. Lactic acid is what makes your muscles sore after strenuous movement or exercise. This substance will build up in the cornea when you wear contacts too long. It will bring excessive water to the cornea, resulting in edema.
The number of hours that you can wear contacts ranges anywhere from eight to 16 hours per day. The exact time depends on a number of things, like how well you tolerate contacts, how dry or sensitive your eyes are, and your overall eye health.
Daily wear contacts are healthier for your eyes. Each morning, you get to put in a sterile pair of contacts. This means you don't need to worry about whether or not you cleaned them properly the night before. Since the contacts are sterile, the risk of eye infection is non-existent.
With continued use of improperly fitted contact lenses, permanent vision damage can occur including abrasions, infections, vision loss, and an inability for your eye to tolerate contact lenses.
The strict replacement schedule of daily disposable contacts may seem a little dramatic, but it's to ensure the safety and health of your eyes. Extending the use for longer than recommended can make your contacts dry, easier to rip, uncomfortable and a breeding ground for infectious bacteria.
Monthlies are generally made up of a more durable, thicker, but still soft and flexible, material than daily contacts so they can last longer and remain comfortable for extended wear. Wearing them for too long during the day can cause eye irritation and dry eyes.
All types of contact lenses, including extended-wear contacts, should be removed from your eyes before showering to prevent complications. Even though extended-wear contacts can be worn for multiple days at a time, you're still putting your eyes at risk for infection or irritation if the contacts become wet.
Can I wear My Contact Lenses Every Day? No matter what type of contact lenses you opt to buy, you should be able to wear your contact lenses every day. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and you may not be able to wear your contacts every day if you are: Experiencing eye redness, dryness, or irritation.
Extended wear contacts do come with risks, especially if you wear them overnight. Bacteria can build up in the space between the contact and your eye, and that can lead to infections your doctor might struggle to treat.
The maximum time that any lens has been approved to wear continuously is 30 days. You should never wear a lens longer than that. If you must sleep in your lenses, most eye doctors will encourage you to take them out as often as possible, or at least once per week.
You can only wear daily disposable contacts for one day and you cannot use them more than once. Without exception, you should throw them out after removing them, whether it's at the end of the day or after only a few hours.
Everyday wear of colored lenses can lead to eyes drying out due to the lenses hindering tears from flowing over the cornea. In a worst-case scenario, this could lead to dry eye syndrome, and nobody wants that.
Contact lenses just shouldn't be worn 24/7. Give your eyes a break – and some fresh air. Experts generally advise against wearing contact lenses for longer than eight hours. However, there is no definite rule, as the wearing time depends on each individual wearer and on the type and quality of the contact lenses.
Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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