How Safe Are Extended Wear Contact Lenses?

Removing your contact lenses every night, cleaning them and replacing in the morning can be a chore. Have you considered trying extended wear contact lenses? These types of lenses can be left in overnight and for long periods so eliminates all the hassle associated with regular contact lenses. However you may be concerned about the safety of wearing contact lenses for this length of time. Are extended wear contact lenses safe? Are they more expensive?

How Expensive are Extended Wear Contact Lenses?

Extended wear contact lenses can be slightly more expensive than regular lenses or weekly or monthly lenses but are definitely cheaper than dailies. However if you also consider the cost of buying contact lens solution they will work out around the same in the long run. So the cost is not really an issue.

Are Extended Wear Contact lenses Safe?

In order to wear contact lenses for longer periods manufacturers have had to overcome some problems. One of the major problems with regular contact lenses, and the reason they are taken out at night, is because oxygen flow to the cornea is blocked by the lens. With newer manufacturing techniques and materials contact lenses have been produced that allow much more oxygen to permeate through the lens, up to six times that of regular contact lenses. The semi permeable material that they are made of is a silicone hydrogel compound that allows oxygen to permeate through the lens. So there is no need to give your eyes a rest with these new materials as oxygen is no longer blocked from reaching the cornea.

Are Eye Infections a Problem with Extended Wear Contact Lenses?

One of the concerns with wearing contact lenses for extended periods is the risk of developing eye infections. organisms that cause infections could become trapped behind the lens and, in the warm, moist environment, rapidly increase and cause infections. Lack of oxygen to the cornea can also impair the ability to fight the infections. This was a concern when extended wear contact lenses were first introduced and led to recommendations to remove the lenses at night. The main reason for the increased incidence of infections was the use of non-disposable lenses that, despite regular cleaning, could not be made completely free of protein, lipid and other materials building up on the lens. This led to an ideal environment for the organisms to breed.

With the introduction of disposable contact lenses the incidence of infections from extended wear dropped dramatically and they are now much safer to wear. There is no build up of materials on the lens as you discard them and wear a new pair regularly. In addition the new materials allow more oxygen to permeate to the cornea so making a healthier environment where germs are less likely to breed.

How to Use extended Wear Contact lenses Safely

Although extended wear contact lenses are safe to wear overnight this does lead to a slightly higher risk of problems occurring. You can minimise this risk by following the instructions given to your by your eye care practitioner carefully.

* Only wear extended wear contact lenses for the length of time recommended. this may be seven days or thirty days for different types.
* Examine your eyes every day and look our for any signs of infection such as redness or irritation.If this occurs remove the lenses and see your eye doctor.
* Try to keep exposure to smoke and dust at a minimum and wear goggles when swimming.

Conclusion

Extended wear contact lenses are convenient and safe to use if you follow the recommendations. They are more convenient than other types of contact lenses and not much more expensive.