Everyone faces different challenges when getting through each day. Whether it is work, school, or personal life – the demands of having to be ‘online’ or present all the time take up a lot of time, and we find ourselves working more than we usually would in an ‘offline’ setting. This can take a toll not only on our eyesight but also on our daily chores and habits. Nowadays, convenience is what everyone looks for, so when it comes to contact lenses, a common question is whether it is okay to wear contact lenses every day. Unfortunately, the answer to that is not necessarily straightforward, as the lifestyle and sensitivity of a contact lens wearer, the contact lens modality, and type, among others, need to be considered.
The most important thing to remember when using contact lenses is excellent wearing habits. For example, most wearers are not aware that their contact lenses should never contact water. This is important as non-compliance may lead to more risks of complications. The rates for contact lens care non-compliance range from 50% to 99%, even though most users believe they are compliant. Examples of variables contributing to non-compliant behavior in contact lens care are age, education, how long they have been wearing contact lenses, wearing schedule, and their reason for wearing contact lenses.
In addition to that, your contact lenses must fit right. If your contact lenses are ill-fitting, they could potentially lead to damaging the cornea, and in some cases, you may lose permanent tolerance to wearing any lenses. Make sure to visit your eye care practitioner to get an updated prescription before purchasing your contact lenses. It is good practice to see your eye doctor for an annual contact lens check-up as eye diseases may happen unbeknownst to you.
Oxygen flow is also crucial as a contact lens is a natural barrier to oxygen flow. What’s great is that newer materials and silicone hydrogel soft lenses allow higher than average oxygen levels than older materials in soft or RGP lenses. This allows most people to safely and comfortably wear contact lenses for 14 to 16 hours per day. Sleeping with your contact lenses restricts oxygen flow, so it is recommended not to sleep with your lenses on.
In saying that, proper hygiene and keeping to an excellent wearing habit like washing hands before handling lenses is essential. Keeping your contact lenses scrupulously clean prevents future contact lens-related eye issues. It’s always best to let your eyes breathe without lenses for oxygen to penetrate each night, so try to remove contact lenses as soon as possible before you go to bed. You should never sleep or over-wear your contact lenses unless you are prescribed extended wear lenses by your eye care practitioner. A good practice is always to carry around a lens case with solution and eyeglasses if they need to be removed in emergencies.
The amount of time you can wear contact lenses based on the type of contacts
Depending on your prescription, you may be prescribed varying amounts of time to wear your contact lenses. If you use daily-wear contact lenses, you may be able to wear your lenses for eight to 16 hours a day and you must always remove the contact lenses before bedtime. If you use extended-wear contact lenses, which you can wear overnight, you may be able to keep your contacts in for up to seven days. Some contact lenses may be designed well enough for 30 days of continuous wear. Unfortunately, not everyone can tolerate extended wear contacts for the maximum number of days. Therefore, be alert to any feelings of discomfort and inform your eye care practitioner should you run into any issues. Once you have the right prescription for yourself, make sure to check out Lens.com to find contact lenses at the best prices online.
