Is it safe to wear contact lenses every day? (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to wear 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.

Can you wear contact lenses every day? 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.

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.

“I recommend removing your contacts an hour or two before bed to give your eyes a break.” Dr. Caywood says. She adds, “It's important to have a pair of glasses that can be worn after contact lenses are removed.” In terms of replacing your lenses, it depends on the type of contacts you wear.

Daily wear lenses should be replaced either every day, every week to two weeks, or monthly. Extended-wear lenses are prescribed less often, but they can be worn for up to a full month in some cases before they need to be replaced.

Because they're worn for just one day, daily contacts have a low risk of eye infection. They're less likely to incur a buildup of deposits like proteins and allergens. These can cause chronic inflammation and make the lens uncomfortable to wear.

Extending the use for longer than recommended can make your contacts dry, easier to rip, uncomfortable and a breeding ground for infectious bacteria. This kind of bacteria can cause pink eye (conjunctivitis) and keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea (the outer layer of the eye).

Lenses are prone to shifting, dryness, and other complications. Eyes are more susceptible to infection with contact lens wear. There is a higher risk of bacterial infections with contact lens users. Infections can be caused by prolonged wear, build-up, bacteria, neglectful care and sleeping with contacts on.

Many patients wear contact lenses up until age 40 and then quit or “drop out” when they begin to have near vision problems. Accept that glasses are the only option, and move on? Over age 40 your best corrected and most comfortable vision will always be in glasses.

In conclusion, permanent contact lenses offer a range of advantages, including improved comfort, clear vision, and freedom from glasses. They are suitable for various individuals, and with proper care and consultation with an eye care professional, they can be a convenient and effective option for vision correction.

Why do my eyes feel better with contacts in? ›

If the surface of the eye is irregular, natural or even artificial tears may not be enough to prevent symptoms. When you wear contact lenses, you might not feel this foreign body sensation because the lens covers the irregular surface of the cornea and blinking becomes a less abrasive sensation.

Not wearing and replacing them every day as prescribed, keeping contacts in for too long, and not cleaning them can contribute to eye damage.

Can crying cause my contacts to fall out? It's not supposed to cause your contacts to fall out. While crying lubricates your lenses, causing them to move about more freely, your contacts shouldn't fall out if you keep your hands away from your eyes.

Proper contact wear is important to keep your eyes and vision healthy. If you overwear your contacts, you may put yourself at risk of: Corneal ulcers (Keratitis) Contact lens intolerance.

For GP lenses, some GP lens solutions also allow for one month of long-term storage. Some hydrogen peroxide-based systems allow for seven days of long-term storage before the lenses need to be re-disinfected but others are as short as 24 hours of storage time.

“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.”

The FDA does not approve multi-day use of daily disposable contacts, as these are meant to only be worn once to prevent eye infections. They are not designed for multiple uses. Daily disposable contacts are thinner than other types of contact lenses and therefore will not hold up well for reuse.

However, contact lenses may not be a good option for people who: Have had repeated eye infections. Suffer from severe allergic reactions. Have problems with eye lubrication.

While contact lenses are usually a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely risk-free—especially if they are not cared for properly. Contact lenses are medical devices. Failure to wear, clean, and store them as directed can increase the risk of eye infections, such as microbial keratitis.