If you’ve just ordered contacts, chances are you’re looking forward to improving your vision without wearing glasses. However, contacts do require more upkeep. For instance, while you can wear your glasses all day without eye strain, you may experience problems if you wear contacts non-stop without replacing or cleaning the lenses.
How often should you wear your contacts every day? This depends on the type of contact lens you’re wearing and the wearing schedule that comes with them.
Daily Wear Versus Extended Wear
The length of time you can wear contacts per day depends entirely on the kind of material the contacts are made from. The more air permeable the contact lens material is, the more likely you can wear it for an extended period of time.
Daily wear lenses are meant to be worn only during the day and removed at night. The material used to create these lenses allow some air through, but not a lot. Most manufacturers of daily wear lens recommend wearing them only 8 to 12 hours a day.
Extended wear lens can, in many cases, be worn day and night. These contacts are made from materials that allow more air to reach the surface of the eye. The lens must be removed periodically for cleaning and disinfection. The time between cleanings can range from 7 to 30 days, depending on the lens material.
Why Is It Important To Wear Contacts As Recommended?
Wearing contact lenses too long can be very dangerous for your eyes. If you experience any unusual eye symptoms, it is important to visit the eye doctor as soon as possible.
The most common problem is infection. Dirty lenses are a breeding ground for microbes. If left in too long, infection can set in. This can cause corneal ulcers, also known as microbial keratitis.
Another issue is overgrowth of blood vessels within the eye. This only happens when you wear contact lenses for far longer than recommended. In an attempt to bring oxygen to the area beneath the lens, the body will start growing extra blood vessels in the affected area. This can cause blurred vision.
It is best to adhere to the wearing schedule that your eye doctor recommends. This can help prevent infections and preserve your eyesight. Optical Solutions suggests removing daily wear contact lenses two hours before going to bed to allow your eyes to receive oxygen before sleeping.
If you’re having issues with your contacts, visit us at Optical Solutions. We can examine your issues and suggest ways to make wearing contacts more enjoyable for you.
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