Should You Really Wear Contact Lenses for A Full Day?
Millions of people around the world wear contact lenses every day. They offer a discreet and effective way to correct common refractive errors, from long-sightedness (hyperopia) and short-sightedness (myopia), to presbyopia and astigmatism. However, while they may be convenient, contact lens “abuse” can often lead to serious eye problems.
By the term “contact lens abuse”, we mean habits that go against the instructions given by the manufacturer and your eye care provider. While it might sound a little extreme, improper contact lens use can actually lead to some pretty serious problems, in severe cases, even threatening your sight!
Some of the most common poor contact lens habits include sleeping in your lenses, not following appropriate hygiene protocols, and wearing them for too long.
Which brings us to the question: Should you really be wearing your contact lenses all day?
What’s Really Going on with Contact Lenses?
To function properly, our eyes require oxygen from the atmosphere. So, it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that placing a plastic disc over their surface can disrupt the eyes’ mechanism. By preventing oxygen from reaching the eyes, contact lenses can affect the eye’s metabolism and healthy function. In some cases, this can even lead to corneal swelling and infection.
Of course, some contact lenses are more breathable than others; nonetheless, it is important to remember that all contact lenses restrict oxygen flow to some degree. Even contact lenses that are specifically designed for “extended or “continuous” use do not offer complete oxygen permeability.
Extended contact lens wear can also increase your risk of dry eyes, which can cause discomfort and irritation.
Being aware of this can help you to make healthier decisions regarding your contact lens use.
How Long Should I Wear Contact Lenses?
The number one rule for safe and responsible contact lens use is simple: Keep them in for no longer than the period recommended by the manufacturer. The maximum recommended amount of time to wear your contact lenses is typically between 10 and 12 hours a day.
Of course, the length of wear that is right for you can depend on a number of factors, including your age, prescription, occupation, general and eye health. This is the same for daily disposable lenses as it is for fortnightly and monthly lenses.
Monthly and Fortnightly Contact Lenses
Some contact lenses can be reused for a number of days – typically one month or two weeks. Proper use of these lenses involves placing them in a saline solution when they are not being worn – typically overnight. It is also important to remember that the time indicated on the package should not be ignored.
While you may feel that wearing the lenses for a few extra days can’t do any harm, it is certainly not a safe habit. If a lens is marked for a specific period of usage, this means that it has only been tested to ensure its safety for that amount of time.
Following Proper Hygiene Practices
It isn’t just how long you wear your contact lenses that can impact the health of your eyes. It is also important to take extra care with inserting and removing them. Our hands pick up all manner of germs and bacteria in a typical day that can potentially lead to nasty infections if they come into contact with our eyes.
Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before putting your lenses in and taking them out. Moreover, be mindful of how you store your reusable contact lenses. Your contact lens case should also be kept clean at all times! That means cleaning and disinfecting your case and always replacing the old solution with new every day.
What do the experts say?
It may sound a little dramatic to suggest that wearing your contact lenses for too long could lead to a serious issue. But if you don’t want to take our word for it, let’s see what Kathy Dumbleton, a Senior Clinical Scientist at the Centre for Contact Lens Research at the University of Waterloo in Ontario has to say:
“You could end up with a sight-threatening corneal infection the first time you do something wrong… You might sleep in your lenses just one time. It might be just one misuse. It isn’t necessarily a build-up over time, though the more times you misuse them, the more likely something is going to happen.” (Calculating risk in use of disposable contact lenses)
Contact lenses can be extremely useful and effective. But it only takes one unfortunate moment to permanently damage your eyes. If you’re interested in an alternative method of correction for your refractive error, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators to discuss our treatment options today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out if you could be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery.